A presentation on applying effective reading strategies to comprehend a text

1. Prepared by:
JOEY F. VALDRIZ

2. READING is a cognitive process of
decoding symbols to derive meaning
from a text.
We read to gain and share information
and ideas, whether for academic,
personal, or professional purposes.

3. How to comprehend a text?
1. Identify the author’s purpose.
2. Grasp the main idea of the text.
3. Locate important details.
4. Use context clues to understand
unfamiliar words.
5. Answer specific questions.
6. Analyze the text points.
7. Critique the text.

4. SOME READING STRATEGIES TO USE TO
INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF A TEXT
1. Getting an overview of the text
2. Using context clues
3. Using connotation and denotation

5. SOME READING STRATEGIES TO USE TO
INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF A TEXT
1. Getting an overview of the text
a. Previewing means looking at the
readily visible parts of the text
b. Skimming means looking for the
main point of the reading and
identifying the ideas that develop it.
c. Scanning means looking for specific
information.

6. SOME READING STRATEGIES TO USE TO
INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF A TEXT
2. Using Context Clues
Context Clues are words, phrases, and
sentences that surround an unfamiliar
word that can help you recognize the
meaning of an unknown word because
the text gives you information about it.

7. Common Types of Context Clues
1. Synonyms
They are used when the text has words or phrases
that are similar in meaning to the unknown word.
a. Humpty Dumpty took great pleasure in
obfuscating the poem’s meaning for Alice. His
explanations about the poem were confusing and
complicated.
b. Alice envisaged the Jabberwock in her mind. She
imagined its sharp claws and jaws, and then
shivered in fright.
c. The narrator in the poem was euphoric at his
son’s victory, for he cried out triumphantly when the
boy came home.

8. Common Types of Context Clues
Synonyms as Context Clues
1. It was an idyllic day; sunny, warm and perfect for
a walk in the park.
2. The dates are listed in chronological order. They
start at the beginning and end with the last event.
3. Her animosity, or hatred, of her sister had
divided the family.
4. Bill felt remorse, or shame, for his harsh words.
5. This situation is a conundrum - a puzzle.

9. Common Types of Context Clues
2. Antonyms
An antonym is a word that reveals the opposite
meaning in relation to the unknown word.
a. The boy in the poem surreptitiously set out to
find the monster. He did not tell anyone about his
plans because he did not want them to worry.
b. The Jabberwock was relentlessly pursued by
the boy, unlike the others who gave up easily
when they heard how terrifying the creature
was.
c. The hero in the poem did not give in to
trepidation; rather he bravely slayed the
Jabberwock with his sword.

10. Common Types of Context Clues
Antonyms as Context Clues
1. Emma had a lot of anxiety about the exam but I
had no worries about it.
2. Marty is gregarious, not like his brother who is
quiet and shy.
3. She is a famous singing star in her country but
unknown to the rest of the world.
4. I am willing to hike in the mountains, but he is
reluctant because it gets so cold walking up and
down the trails.
5. Avoiding the accident was futile. Both cars did not
have time to stop before crashing.

11. Common Types of Context Clues
3. Examples
Examples are specific details in a text that are used
to clarify the meaning of a word.
a. There are many eccentric creatures in the forest,
such as mome raths and borogoves.
b. Only a few weapons are truly nifty in hunting
monsters, like the vorpal sword.
c. The boy’s father was ecstatic when he found out
that the Jabberwock was conquered by his son.
His behavior included laughing, cheering, and
hugging his son.

12. Common Types of Context Clues
Examples as Context Clues
1. Some celestial bodies, such as the planets and
stars, can be seen with the naked eye.
2. There was a lot of tangible evidence, including
fingerprints and DNA, to prove them guilty.
3. There is a 30 percent chance of precipitation,
such as snow or sleet.
4. The builder decided that the house could be built
on a number of sites, for example, along a wooded
path, near the ocean, or atop a mountain

13. Common Types of Context Clues
4. Explanations and Definitions
Explanations may be given as clues to describe an
unknown term.
Definitions may follow an unfamiliar word.
a. Humpty Dumpty told Alice that “brillig” means
the same thing as four o’clock in the afternoon,
because that is when people started broiling
things for dinner.
b. Hearing someone “outgrabe” – which means he
is whistling, bellowing, and sneezing all at once –
can be a funny sight.

14. Common Types of Context Clues
Explanation as Context Clues
1. The team was elated when they won the trophy.
2. During the demonstration, a skirmish broke out
and the police were called to restore order.
3. The cat has a kind disposition and would never
bite or claw anyone.
4. His constant questioning of my remarks made him
a nuisance.
5. Something in the refrigerator has a putrid odor;
the smell was rotten when we opened the door.

15. Common Types of Context Clues
Definition as Context Clues
1. The arbitrator, the neutral person chosen to
settle the dispute, arrive at her decision.
2. The factory supervisor demanded an inspection,
which is a careful and critical examination of all of
the meats processed each day.

16. Common Types of Context Clues
5. Situations
The situation in which a word is used can also be
helpful in determining the meaning of that word.
The meaning of a word may change depending on its
context, or how and where it is used.
a. The boy wondered if he should have brought
some back up, in case he could not take on the
Jabberwock by himself.
b. The hero’s conquest of the Jabberwock is an
exemplary case of bravery.
c. The hero is lucky that the murder of the
Jabberwock does not merit a case in court.

17. Common Types of Context Clues
Situations as Context Clues
1. Give 3 meanings of the word “jam”.
2. Give 3 meanings of the word “mine”.

18. Signal words for context clues:
1. Synonyms – “like”, “as”, “or”
2. Antonyms – “although”, “but”, “despite”,
“instead”, “in contrast”, “unlike”, “however”,
“even though”, “on the contrary”,
“conversely”
3. Examples – “such as”, “like”, “included”,
“includes”, “types”, “kinds”
4. Explanations – “because”, “that is”
5. Definitions – “is”, “means”, “defined as”,
“refers to”

19. SOME READING STRATEGIES TO USE TO
INCREASE UNDERSTANDING OF A TEXT
3. Using Connotation and Denotation
Two Ways to Describe the Meaning of a Word:
Denotation is the basic, precise, literal
meaning of a word that can be found in the
dictionary.
Connotation is the positive, negative, or
neutral feelings, attitudes, ideas, or
associations with a word

20. What is the difference between denotation
and connotation?
Father Daddy
Denotation: a male parent Denotation: a male parent
Connotation:
Association – positive
Feelings – love and respect
Connotation:
Association – positive
Feelings – love, familiarity, childhood

21. What is the difference between denotation
and connotation?
House Home Shanty
a place where people
live (denotation)
a place where people
live (denotation)
a place where people
live (denotation)
“ a building in which
someone lives
(neutral connotation)
“a place of warmth
and comfort and
familiarity” (positive
connotation)
“small, crudely built
shack” (negative
connotation)

22. Which of the following has a positive
connotation? Negative connotation?
chubby voluptuous fat
chatty glib loudmouthed

23. Denotation and Connotation
Tita Jennifer says: Archie is thrifty.
Tita Joanna says: Archie is stingy.
Tita Jennifer says: Archie is very focused on his job.
Tita Joanna says: Archie is very obsessed with his
job.
Last night, I chatted with a woman.
Last night, I chatted with a chick.

24. What is the difference among the three?
1. Annette was surprised.
2. Annette was amazed.
3. Annette was astonished.

25. What is the denotation and connotation?
1. There are over 2,000 homeless in the
city.
2. There are over 2,000 people with no
fixed address in the city.
3. There are over 2,000 vagrants in the
city.

26.  Reading and Writing Skills by Marella
Therese A. Tiongson and Maxine Rafaella C.
Rodriguez