Traits of the Effective Reader

I.  Reading the lines leads to COMPREHENSION.

Conventions

Words

Symbols

Punctuation

Grammar

Genre

Text organization

Comprehension

Create meaning from text

Make predictions

Identify plot elements

Select main ideas

Find supporting details

Self monitor reading

II.  Reading  between the lines leads to INTERPRETATION.

Context 

Identify setting, tone, voice of author

 Historical time periods

Social issues

Cultural overtones

Ideas and concepts are part of a “bigger picture”

Higher level than Conventions and Comprehension

Interpretation

Reader “fills in the gaps” using clues and evidence from the text

Analyze problems

Draw conclusions

Explain ideas or arguments presented in text

III.  Reading beyond the lines leads to SYNTHESIS and EVALUATION

Combinations

Apply and synthesize knowledge from outside the text

Combine information in new ways

Compare and contrast to determine cause and effect

Apply personal experience to the text

Extends literal boundaries

Creates a new picture, greater than the sum of its parts

Evaluation

Dialogue with the text

Make the text your own

Express opinions

Raise questions

Challenge the text

Challenge the author

Note bias, distortion

Judge  the text.

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