levels of comprehension

Four Levels of Comprehension

1. Literal Comprehension refers to the acquisition of meaning of ideas or information that are explicitly stated in the text . Some specific reading skills at the literal level of comprehension are : identifying specific information or noting details , sequencing ideas when explicitly signals are given , and following instructions . These skills , specially the first two , are scanning skills

a.. Identifying Specific Information . This reading requires one to focus his attention only on one or some particular information or detail which he needs form a text ; the rest of the text may not be read anymore . That information may be a name , a date , a scientific term , or a place or just anything , the search for which motivates the person to read . In looking for a detail , the reader must look for signals in the environment of the needed information or in the information itself .

b. Sequencing Events or Ideas . meaningful reading results from the reader’s ability to follow the flow of thought of the writer . This is so because any discourse is made up of words and sentences which are not only grammatically linked to one another , but are also logically related and sequenced . The reader’s ability to grasp the sequence of ideas as presented by the writer enables him to summarize , outline and infer correctly .

c. Following Instructions

2. Interpretative Level of Comprehension . Sometimes an information or concept is not explicitly stated in a text so that the reader has to go through the process of inferring beyond the literal meaning . This is the interpretative level or the “ Thinking side “ of comprehension ( Tinker & Mc Cullough , 19 68 ) . Interpretation is the reading or getting meaning between the lines which requires the reader’s sensitivity to clues and the ability to link these clues to his own experience to arrive at the new information ( Romero and Romeo 78 ) . It is mentally exploring and taking position in relation to the facts and related details . When the reader does this he is inferring .

Inferences can be categorized as implications , conclusions , generalizations or predictions .

1. Implication is any inference or expectancy that maybe logically implied or understood , but not directly stated , form the author’s arguments in a text or utterance .
2. Conclusion draws together factual evidence into a statement about the nature of a phenomenon .
3. Generalization is a statement about the behavior of a large population based on the observable behavior of a similar but smaller sample group .
4. Prediction is a statement about future behavior or action ( Krantz and Kimmelman as cited by Diaz , et al. 112 ) .

Some reading skills at the interpretative level of comprehension are ; identifying the main idea , inferring character traits , forming conclusions , anticipating or predicting an action and drawing implications .

1. Identifying the Main Idea ( Implied )

Main idea refers to the central meaning , the focal point or the thesis of a sentence or discourse . It is the most important thing that an author wants to say .

b.. Forming Conclusions

A conclusion is a judgment inferred form evidence . It is drawn from the information given in the text and is usually stated in the manner of theory or a general statement about the subject .

c. Drawing Implications

Given Information

The dog began to bark wildly , facing the front gate .

Implication

A stranger is on the gate .

Given Information

As Asyong trekked the trail back home on Labang ‘s he b realized that sunset had started to come earlier than in the past days and that the afternoon wind was more chilly than a week ago .

Implication

It’s December again

d. Drawing Inferences

Milan ( 1995 ) , quoting American jurisprudence , defines inference as “ nothing more than a probable or natural explanation of facts … arises from the commonly accepted experience of mankind and the inferences which reasonable men would draw from these experiences . “ An inference logically draws from a given idea ; it does not misinterpret the author’s words .

e. Predicting Outcomes

3 . Critical Level of Comprehension

The principal focus of this level of comprehension is the aspect of evaluation . Critical level of comprehension is the judgment of validity or worth of what is read or heard , based on sound criteria of standards developed through previous experiences .

What questions may be asked for each level of comprehension ? A few examples are hereunder presented to guide you .

Literal Level

1 . Where was the news item written ?

2. During what occasion was the denunciation made ?

3. In what part of the world is the fighting taking place ?

4. Is retaliation a vehicle toward peace ?

Interpretative Level

1. What is the general idea of the news story ?
2. What is the meaning of the line “ war has been declared to peace ‘ ?
3. Do you think it was right for the Pope to focus his Easter message on the war in the Holy Land ? Explain your answer .

Critical Level

1. Is the title attention – catching ? Does it carry the news by itself ?
2. Are the story details easily understood ?
3. The story was found on the front page of the newspaper . Was the prominence given to it justifiable ?

4 . Application Level of Comprehension . This level level of comprehension goes beyond the the three levels and culminates in the application of listening or reading to practical situations . For example , one reads a how – to – do it text to be able to really create something , or reads the directions and the information asked for in an income tax form to be able to fill it up properly and accurately . Application comprehension is also referred to as functional comprehension .

Using Context Clues

Context clues are words or expression that hint at the meaning of a word .

Taking Tests

Objective Test . Objective tests ( multiple choice and true false items ) are often reading tests . They check on your ability to recognize a correct answers or a correct statement against a false one . If you are taking an objective test , try this :

1. Read the directions carefully .
2. Read each statement or question carefully .
3. Skip items you are not certain about .
4. Eliminate certain alternatives .
5. There is a bit of folk wisdom that says .

Essay Test . When you take essay exams try the following :

1. Read the question carefully .
2. Think about your answer before putting words on paper .
3. Don’t beat around the bush or pad your answer .
4. Look over your essay for spelling , sentence errors , and grammatical errors .

The Reading Outline

Taking Tests

Thesis : Test – taking is a skill which can be developed by following certain guidelines

I. Introduction

II. Guidelines in Taking Objective Tests

1. Read directions carefully .
2. Read statements / questions carefully .
3. Skip unfamiliar questions .
4. Eliminate some choices
5. Do not hesitate to change answers.

III . Guidelines in Taking Essay Tests

1. Read questions carefully .
2. Think about your answer before you start writing .
3. Don’t beat around the bush .
4. Review your essay for errors on mechanics

The Reading Outline

Reading Notes and Lecture Notes

Thesis : You can keep your study notes and your class notes together by following a few simple suggestions .

I. Introduction

II. Steps in keeping reading notes and lecture notes together .

1. Get a three – ring looseleaf notebook that uses 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper.
2. Divide each page into three parts .
3. Use the left side for reading notes , the right side for lecture notes and the bottom for summaries and reactions .
4. Prepare your notes only after you have grasped the idea.
5. Be selective about what to write .
6. Write in abbreviated forms main ideas , supporting ideas .

III . Conclusion

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing . Many times in the course of your reading , you will encounter forceful but intricately phrased ideas which in the beginning may sound unreachable in their meanings . You can eventually grasp the message by simplifying the idea line or phrase by phrase . This technique is called paraphrasing .

A paraphrase is a restatement of the meaning of a passage or word clarity . It is a simplified version of the original work . It is usually written to explain on a literal level an din the words of the reader the meaning of a complex text , for example a literary work . Examine how the paraphrase is written for the literary passages that follow :

1. He who laughs last laughs best . The last person to laugh has the best laughter .

2. Oh , Wind , if Winter comes Can spring be far behind ? Wind , does not winter logically follow or come after spring .

3. If this error and upon me proved I never writ or no man ever loved.

If what I have said is proven to be wrong then all that I have written is of no value or no person has loved at all .

Summarizing

Summary is a brief account of the main ideas or major points discussed in much longer article . Sometimes called précis , is a condensation of the original material usually in the reader’s language and style .