Reading 101

Reading Compre Strategy - Unlocking a passage’s secrets

Part 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.

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.

The Bell Curve Recall that all good stories follow a standard

structure, what we call the Bell Curve:

Can you remember one story which follows this?

OrientationProblem

Escalation

Climax

Resolution

Coda

Walking the ‘NO’ Line Recall that all good stories walk the ‘NO’ line as

well:

Normal Possible Impossible Outrageous

Can you think of one story that walks the line?

Where you need to be – possible but unlikely, good material for creativity

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?

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.

Unlocking a passage’s secrets Being able to recognise these writing techniques,

you are able to comprehend a passage’s1) Sequence – through Bell Curve’s stages2) Message – through the Coda3) Characterisation – through the Human Drama4) Creative Idea – through the NO Line Knowing the sequence, message, characterisation

and creative idea behind a passage, your comprehension will most certainly deepen.

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 stage2) Coda – message behind the story3) Characterisation – character’s

weakness/strength4) Creative Idea – possible but unlikely idea in

story

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.