Comprehension skills are not only for the classroom but are life skills that need to be developed. You first learn to read and later you read to learn.

Comprehension is the decoding and understanding of spoken, written and visual texts.

Reading for Meaning

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A. GUIDELINES TO ASSIST YOU IN READING FOR MEANING:

1. READ THROUGH THE PASSAGE QUICKLY

• Get an overview or a general picture of the passage.
• Try to visualize what you are reading. This helps you to *** focus*** and read for meaning.

2. TAKE NOTE:

• The title may offer a clue to the contents and the intention of the passage.
• The author may help you to identify the era, style and often the subject.
• The introduction often creates the atmosphere and provides the setting for what is to follow.
• The conclusion usually ties up the intension of the author.

Ask: Who What Where When Why How

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3. YOU SHOULD ASK THESE QUESTIONS:

Who is the writer? Who are the characters?
What is the main idea of the passage?
Where does it take place? (setting).
When does it take place? (setting - time, date, era).
Why has this passage been written? What is the writer's intention?
How does the writer express himself? What language devices are used?

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4. READ THROUGH THE COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:

• When you do this, bear the passage in mind.
• This will give you clues leading to the answers in the passage.
• Many teachers and students prefer reading the questions before reading the passage.

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5. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN:

• This time you should be aware of what has been asked.
• Highlightthe main idea in each paragraph - each paragraph presents a new idea.
• The first sentence is often the key sentence.
• Words and ideas that was at first confusing or difficult, may now become clearer in context.
• The more familiar you are with the passage, the easier it should become to interpret and understand what you are reading.

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Source. EBH Joubert. English Grammar
https://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/models/tips/analyzing.htm

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