Descriptions of the Reporting Categories Reading

The following descriptions outline what you should know and be able to do in this subject.

Comprehension and Reading Skills

This topic includes basic skills necessary for successful reading like vocabulary and word recognition. When reading, it is important to identify main ideas, make inferences, and draw conclusions. When reading fiction, we should think about how dialogue, symbolism, and word choice add to the impact of a text. When reading nonfiction, we should consider how word choice contributes to the purpose of the text.

It is important to grasp the main ideas when reading fiction and nonfiction. Here is a strategy for doing so: First, grab two different colored highlighters. Then find an interesting newspaper or magazine article. While reading the article, use one color to highlight main ideas and the other color to highlight the specific details that support each main idea. This strategy is particularly helpful for answering questions about the reading. You can use the main ideas to help form a summary, or use a main idea with supporting details to help craft answers to more specific questions.

Interpretation and Analysis of Fiction and Nonfiction Texts

This topic involves many skills. It requires us to analyze elements of fiction texts such as character, setting, plot, theme, topic, tone and style, and content. Also included in this topic are literary devices like foreshadowing and flashback, point of view, and figurative language. One of the most important things to consider about nonfiction texts is their organization. We need to distinguish between fact and opinion and essential and nonessential information. We must also determine an author's purpose.

The local newspaper is a great source of information, and the editorial section provides many opportunities to evaluate an author's purpose. Find an editorial or letter to the editor on a subject that interests you. Perhaps it's about a local sports team, the local school system, or a current event. Read the editorial twice. The first time, try to get the main ideas. The second time, look for evidence that supports the author's argument. Remember that to persuade a reader, an author must use at least three solid pieces of evidence. Use a highlighter to indicate evidence that is essential to the author's argument. Then decide whether or not the author achieved his purpose. Are you convinced? If not, what could the author have done to persuade you? Discuss your findings with a friend or family member with similar interests.