Key Takeaways
- Four comprehension levels: literal, inferential, evaluative, creative
- Before/during/after reading strategies support comprehension
- Five informational text structures: sequence, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution, description
- Literary elements: character, setting, plot, conflict, theme, point of view
- Literary devices: simile (like/as), metaphor, personification, alliteration, onomatopoeia
Last updated: January 2026
1.2 Text Comprehension and Analysis
Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading. Students must understand, interpret, and analyze what they read.
Levels of Comprehension
| Level | Description | Example Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Literal | Understanding what the text explicitly states | "What color was the dog?" |
| Inferential | Drawing conclusions from implied information | "Why do you think the character was sad?" |
| Evaluative | Judging and forming opinions | "Was the author's argument convincing?" |
| Creative | Applying ideas in new ways | "What would happen if the story continued?" |
Reading Comprehension Strategies
Before Reading:
- Activate prior knowledge
- Preview text structure and features
- Make predictions
- Set purpose for reading
During Reading:
- Make connections (text-to-self, text-to-text, text-to-world)
- Visualize
- Ask questions
- Make inferences
- Monitor comprehension
- Use context clues for unknown words
After Reading:
- Summarize main ideas
- Retell events
- Evaluate and reflect
- Answer questions
- Make connections to other texts
Text Structures
Understanding text structure helps comprehension:
Narrative (Fiction):
- Characters
- Setting
- Plot (beginning, middle, end)
- Conflict and resolution
- Theme
Informational (Nonfiction):
| Structure | Signal Words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence | First, next, then, finally | Steps in a process |
| Compare/Contrast | Similar, different, however | Comparing animals |
| Cause/Effect | Because, as a result, therefore | Weather causes floods |
| Problem/Solution | Problem, solution, solve | Environmental issues |
| Description | For example, characteristics | Animal habitats |
Literary Elements
For narrative texts:
- Character: Who is in the story
- Setting: Where and when it takes place
- Plot: Sequence of events
- Conflict: Problem to be solved
- Theme: Message or lesson
- Point of View: First person (I), third person (he/she)
Literary Devices:
- Simile: Comparison using "like" or "as"
- Metaphor: Direct comparison without "like" or "as"
- Personification: Giving human traits to non-human things
- Alliteration: Repeated beginning sounds
- Onomatopoeia: Words that sound like their meaning
Test Your Knowledge
A student asks "Why did the main character choose to help the stranger?" This question requires which level of comprehension?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
Which text structure uses signal words like "because," "as a result," and "therefore"?
A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge
"The wind whispered through the trees" is an example of:
A
B
C
D