2. Learning Objectives
To review our understanding of how good
stories unfold.
To apply this understanding to help us to
deepen our comprehension of a passage.
3. Introduction
In the following slides, we will see how to deepen
your reading.
It’s important that when you read, you actively
seek out information in a process called active
reading.
Active reading means you are processing
information and applying reading skills, in every
sentence.
The following techniques will help you to practice
active reading.
4. The Bell Curve
Recall that all good stories follow a standard
structure, what we call the Bell Curve:
Climax
Escalation
Resolution
Problem
Orientation Coda
Can you remember one story which follows this?
5. Walking the ‘NO’ Line
Recall that all good stories walk the ‘NO’ line as
well:
Normal Possible Impossible Outrageous
Where you need to be –
possible but unlikely, good
material for creativity
Can you think of one story that walks the line?
6. Human Drama
Can you also recall that a story is made
interesting through realistic potrayal of a
character’s weakness that he/she overcomes in
the end?
7. Applying them in Comprehension
Knowing these writing techniques, you can also
apply them to help you understand passages
too!
No doubt, it will be obvious to you by now, that
most good stories you read of employ the Bell
Curve, ‘NO’ line and Human Drama.
Using these writing techniques, you can
analyse any comprehension OE or Cloze story
to help you understand them better.
8. Unlocking a passage’s secrets
Being able to recognise these writing techniques,
you are able to comprehend a passage’s
1) Sequence – through Bell Curve’s stages
2) Message – through the Coda
3) Characterisation – through the Human Drama
4) Creative Idea – through the NO Line
Knowing the sequence, message, characterisation
and creative idea behind a passage, your
comprehension will most certainly deepen.
9. Apply Now and See for Yourself!
Turn to your training manual to apply these
writing techniques to help you deepen your
understanding of a text.
Write down the answers to:
1) Sequence – Key words of each stage
2) Coda – message behind the story
3) Characterisation – character’s
weakness/strength
4) Creative Idea – possible but unlikely idea in
story
10. In summary
• Deepening understanding requires active
reading.
• Active reading uses what we know about
good writing and then sees that in other
writers’ stories.
• This will help us to better appreciate a
passage’s meaning.
