Notes on Improving Reading Comprehension
Two Kinds of Processing of this prior knowledge with it and
• Bottom-up processing happens when
someone tries to understand language by
looking at individual meanings or
grammatical characteristics of the most
basic units of the text and moves from
these to trying to understand the whole
text.
• Top-down processing refers to how our
brains make use of information that has
already been brought into the brain by one
or more of the sensory systems.
The Reading Process
A. Sensation
• It is the awareness of something due to
the stimulation of the sense organs. The
sense organs primarily involved in reading
are the eyes
• When one reads, he makes the eye
movements of stopping or fixation of the
eyes, interfixation or stopping of the eyes
from one point to another. Return sweep
or sweeping of the eyes from the end of
the line to the beginning of the next line
and regression, or backward or right to
the left movement made in a reverse
direction.
B. Perception
• As soon as the sensory cells of the retina
are hit by the light rays from the letters,
they produce chemical changes creating
nerve currents that instantly travel up to
the optic nerves situated in the middle of
the brain.
• Impulses are brought to the gray matter of
the cerebral cortex. This portion of the
brain arouses the reader’s past
experiences about the word by association
Compiled by: Kenneth Joe J. Luquey~ Instructor
perception occurs.
Levels of Thinking
A. Level 1 Literal Comprehension- The ideas
or meanings formed by the reader at this
level are directly stated in the selection.
Wh-questions.
B. Level 2 Interpretative Comprehension-
The reader forms ideas or meanings
indirectly or implicitly stated in the
selection. Why and How
C. Level 3 Critical Analysis or Critical
Evaluation- This level requires the reader
to evaluate or weigh the facts, events,
character’s viewpoints, then make
judgements about the worth of these and
the effectiveness of the way they are
presented in the selection
D. Level 4 Application and Reaction- This
refers to the integration of ideas with
previous experiences so that new insights
and understanding may result.
E. Level 5 Creative Thinking- This is the
highest level of understanding. Through
this he creates new ideas or new ways of
expression with the use of whatever
understanding he got of the text.
Kinds of Reading
1. Skimming. This is the easiest and
fastest kind of reading. If the reader
skims the reading material, he just
reads the sign posts or clues in the
selection such as the headings and the
topic sentences.
2. Scanning. When the reader’s purpose is
to locate particular information in the
text, he resorts to this kind of reading.
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 Notes on Improving Reading Comprehension
The focus of his eyes is this particular
information.
3. Idea Reading. This is to get the main
idea of the material. This involves the
three psychological processes of
reading. Sensation, Perception and
Comprehension.
4. Exploratory Reading. This is done
when the reader wants to know how the
whole selection is presented. Some
examples of reading materials that lend
themselves to this kind of reading are
essays etc.
5. Analytic Reading. A careful
examination of each work to identify
word relationship is the main purpose
of analytic reading. You can use this in
understanding mathematical theorems
and scientific formulae
6. Critical Reading. This makes the
reader weigh facts, information, or
ideas presented in the selection, so that
he, too, can form judgements or
conclusions about them.
7. Narcotic Reading. This is done by a
person who wants to get rid of his
everyday troubles, depressions,
frustrations, problems, through reading
magazines, stories, novels etc.
8. Extensive Reading. If the reader
spends his leisure time by reading any
kind of material that is interesting to
him, he will consider his act of reading
extensive reading.
9. Intensive Reading. Doing serious
reading of books, periodicals, and other
library materials for research work or a
report is the main concern of this kind
of reading.
Compiled by: Kenneth Joe J. Luquey~ Instructor
Tips for a better reading
A. Know the Essentials
1. Tangible Factors
a. Good eyesight, good hearing, and
good general health.
b. Physical Environment- proper
lighting, ventilation, quiet room,
comfortable furniture
c. Legibility, Format, and readability of
the material
B. Learn to Read a Difficult Book
1. To learn to read a difficult reading
material is to concentrate on getting
the main core or idea of the author,
not on every difficult expression one
encounters in his reading act.
C. Maintain a Reading Diet
1. Academic Reading 50%
2. Recreational Reading 20%
3. Current Events 20%
4. Spiritual Readings 10%
 In one hour, you should read:
30 minutes- Academic Reading
12 minutes- Recreational Reading
12 minutes- Periodical Reading
6 minutes- Spiritual Reading
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