What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension is defined as the level of understanding of a text. This understanding comes from the interaction between the words that are written and how they trigger knowledge outside the text. .[1]

Proficient reading depends on the ability to recognize words quickly and effortlessly.[2] If word recognition is difficult, students use too much of their processing capacity to read individual words, which interferes with their ability to comprehend what is read. From Wikipedia.

Reading comprehension is important.  In today’s classrooms too many children don’t know or understand what they read, even though they may read at a high level.  The problem with this is that the information doesn’t sink in.  It’ s a lot like a boat bobbing on the lake.  Unless there is an anchor attached, the boat doesn’t fill and sink to the bottom.

It’s the same with English reading comprehension.  While our language is difficult and has many words that are phonetically close and even spelled alike, they don’t always mean the same thing.

Children who have problems in school with reading don’t enjoy it, as a rule.  They may like looking at pictures and flipping through the pages, but they don’t fully grasp the idea of the book or the meaning.  Consequently, they are not interested in reading other books on the same subject, don’t retain facts and figures, and generally don’t develop a thirst for knowledge gained through the written word.

How to Improve Reading Comprehension?

From Traci’s List of 10 (http://www.tengrrl.com/tens/016.shtml):

1. Main Point
2. Steps
3. Fact vs. Opinion
4. Perspective
5. Prediction
6. Paraphrase/summary
7. Creative response
8. Questions
9. Pre Reading/Post Reading
10. Title

There are many online strategies for becoming a better reader that include worksheets and classes.  While teachers may not have the time to work with your child individually, you could benefit from some research and applying some of the rules suggested.

Every person deserves to read.  Being a good reader may take longer for some people than others, but if you have a desire you can help yourself or someone else gain good reading comprehension skills.

Reading, Research and Rocks

Love of the written word is a subject close to my heart.  All the while I have been writing the INZARED, Queen of the Elephant Riders series I have done extensive digging into the lives of circus Gypsies in the 1800’s.  While the writing was awesome, the research reading was even better.

I love history of any kind, and delving into the lives of people in the pre-Civil War period was exciting.  I found a lot of minute details I didn't know.  Gypsies proved to be a fascinating people and the small wagon-circuses of the period were a delight to learn about.

There are a lot of people I should thank for my love of books. 

• Reading teachers throughout my school days introduced me to the classics and I developed above-average reading skills early in my life. 
• My parents were avid readers and from them I learned to really enjoy reading. 
• A librarian in the small town where I grew up let me help in the library and I spent many hours in a dank basement sorting books.  I still love the smell of musty bindings and paper to this day. 

It never ceased to amaze me as a young reader that characters contained within the pages of books could leap out and take over my whole being, causing me many sleepless nights as I read way later than my parents would have allowed me to, had they known.

I’m not sure where I got the love of fact-finding.  I read, research, and write every day and still the thrill of finding a little-known fact gets me excited every time it happens.

There are so many places to search online that I will never find out everything I’d like to add to my data files but that’s ok.  As long as others who love information as much as I do continue to post and share their knowledge I’ll continue to write fiction.  My only hope is that reading will be introduced to children as eager as I was to learn about the world around me and anything else that interested me.  Reading rocks! 

Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Espionage, Paranormal - The Same Thing?

Mystery reading has always been a favorite pastime of mine.  Although I love true crime novels best, I am also attracted to paranormal, horror, and any other genre that includes mystery.  But are they the same?  Let's take a look and find out.

Mystery Stories -Definition: Mystery is a genre of fiction in which a detective, either an amateur or a professional, solves a crime or a series of crimes. Because detective stories rely on logic, supernatural elements rarely come into play. The detective may be a private investigator, a policeman, an elderly widow, or a young girl, but he or she generally has nothing material to gain from solving the crime. 

This definition comes from fictionwriting.about.com in the glossary section.  So, a person or person solves a crime or a series of crime.  Detectives rely on logic.  Most sleuths have nothing to gain from solving the crime.  

Suspense Stories: (the following definition comes from Dictionary.com).

Suspense -sus·pense   [suh-spens]  Show IPA

noun

1.

a state or condition of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety.

2.

undecided or doubtful condition, as of affairs: For a few days matters hung in suspense.

The story is a state of uncertainty or excitement, or an undecided or doubtful condition.  If I read this correctly, this could be the crime or crimes decision or ending a mystery the crime solver is waiting for?

Thriller – this definition is from Wikipedia:

thriller is a broad genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements.[2] Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and/or terror. Thriller films tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fast-paced. Literary devices such as red herrings, plot twists and cliffhangers are used extensively. A thriller is villain-driven plot, whereby he or she presents obstacles that the hero must overcome.[3][4]

Here we are told that suspense and excitement constitute a thriller.  Hmm, doesn’t that also include mystery?

Espionage, spy novel, political thriller – the following definition is also from Wikipedia:

Spy fiction, literature concerning the forms of espionage, was a sub-genre derived from the novel during the nineteenth century, which then evolved into a discrete genre before the First World War (1914–18), when governments established modern intelligence agencies in the early twentieth century. As a genre, spy fiction is thematically related to the novel of adventure (The Prisoner of Zenda, 1894, The Scarlet Pimpernel, 1905), the thriller (such as the works of Edgar Wallace) and the politico–military thriller (The Schirmer Inheritance, 1953, The Quiet American, 1955).

Ok, I get it.  Suspense and espionage can also be mystery.  Reading mysteries has never been more exciting.  It’s possible to read mystery novels online, on eReaders, or in book form.  Since all of the above definitions fit into the category, mystery lovers should have plenty of books to read for a lifetime!

Does Your Child Like to Read?

Reading is universal.  It’s the single most important leisure time enjoyment, in my opinion.  Early reading is crucial to make sure children are not only literate, but enjoy this great pastime throughout their entire lives.

Reading skills have declined recently due to the onset of video games and television.  Online reading has replaced old-fashioned books and many children now carry eReaders.

Tips to help your children get reading and love books for life:

1. Devise a reading game.  Many libraries have summer programs designed for kids that include finding colors in book titles, names on spines, etc.  These are a good incentive for children to begin to read. 
2. Let your kids know that reading is fun.  Reading aloud is exciting and you could tell them about books you have read in the past.  It may spur them to want to read more themselves. 
3. Think of reading activities you can do as a family.  Take turns picking a book to read aloud, go to the library together, etc. 
4. Take in movies that are based on books your kids have read.  Stipulate that they must first read the book – then you can discuss the merits of the movie versus the book. 
5. Encourage your kids to use spending money on books.  Check out thrift shops, yard sales, garage sales, and any place where they can get book bargains.  Give them time to look at pictures and read excerpts – they’ll start a library of their own.

If you allow your children the freedom to choose books themselves they will develop a sense of what they like to read.  Children should be exposed to the delight of finishing one book and starting another.  It not only helps them progress in the world by giving them a great sense of speech and knowledge of words, it gives them confidence in their ability to discuss nearly anything.

One of the most important things you can give your child is the ability and desire to read.  By sharing with him/her and giving the opportunity to be surrounded by books you are paving the way for your son or daughter to have a wonderful future!

GOOD NOVELS TO READ

There are many good novels to read.  Depending on the content you are looking for, good novels to read can be found almost anywhere, from airports to bookstores, convenience stores to kiosks in the mall.   If you are looking for good novels to read check out the following areas:

• “New books” section at your local library
• Newspaper columns
• Television
• Online book sites like Amazon
• Book Groups
• Radio Talk Shows
• Word of mouth

 For instance, you turn on the morning news and hear an author being interviewed.  Perhaps the genre is not one you generally read, but your interest is piqued.  Be sure to write down the author’s name and the title of the book.  You’ll be happy you did.  Then either call or visit your local library and reserve the book.  It may not even be available yet, but by doing this you are assured of getting a place in line to read the book when it is available.

Good novels to read come in every form and subject.  Do an online search by subject to come up with a list of many books and authors in your area of interest.  Big-name booksellers such as Amazon provide a “wish list” for the savvy reader, allowing one to save books to a list they may revisit again and again until the book is available and ready for purchase.  This list may be changed and updated as much as the buyer likes, keeping it current.

Perhaps the best way to find good novels to read is through word of mouth.  Listen to recommendations from your friends and co-workers.  If the subject interests you add the book to your list.  Remember though, readers are different.  An author that is the absolute favorite of your best friend may not interest you at all with his/her writing style.  No problem at all – you can find other good novels to read!   

READING ALOUD

Reading aloud can be enjoyable both for the reader and the listener.  Reading aloud often gives the listener a whole new perspective to a novel, even if it is one that has been read and enjoyed previously.  There are many advantages to reading aloud including:

• Hands-free; listen to books while you are doing something else
• Often it is easy to pick up clues and information you may have missed
• Reading aloud to children keeps them entertained
• Often, listening to a book gives you a good handle on the “voice” of characters
• Reading aloud gives you good diction and accent practice
• Audio Books are great to take on long trips to break the monotony

Many families set aside time each night for reading aloud.  Books are chosen for their content and create a shared family time that is special to everyone.  Many years ago books were one of the only forms of entertainment and were highly treasured.  The Bible was often the only source of reading and was allotted time each night after chores were done. 

Reading has changed a lot since that time, but it is still alive and growing.  The advent of eReaders has offered the public ways to download thousands of titles; and since they are portable, carry them wherever they go, keeping them within easy reach.  Instead of waning, reading has garnered new interest and become even more exciting.  Computers have offered the same advantages, allowing the user to search for and find any genre they enjoy and many new authors to try.    

CREATE A GOOD READING SPOT

It is not essential to design a good reading spot in your home.  Any comfortable well-lighted place will do, however, there are definitely benefits to having a good reading spot.  If you create a specific reading spot it should include the following:

• A comfortable place to sit, recline or lie
• Good natural light
• Good reading light
• Pillows
• A light blanket or wrap
• A table to put drinks or snacks on
• A well-ventilated area
• An area free from distraction
• A room with a door that can be shut to provide privacy
• Shelves with books
• Paper, pens and highlighters for notes, etc.
• A dictionary to look up new words
• A source of tranquil music (if you desire one)
• A pair of reading glasses (if needed)
• Leave electronic devices (except eBook readers) outside the door!

It is best to wear comfortable clothing when you read so that you are able to relax and get into your book.  Be sure to get up now and again to stretch your legs and move a little.  A good reading spot can be an oasis to return to again and again to gain relaxation and escape from the hustle and bustle of your real world.

Introduce your children to quiet time in the reading spot you have created.  It will teach them to enjoy reading and get caught up in stories that are even better than watching television or movies.  Reading is for all ages and all genres.  Find what you like, sit back, and get into a good book – you’ll be glad you did!