Breaking Down the components of Comprehension: Text, Reader, and Context

Comprehension is a complex process that involves several components, including the text, reader, and context. The ability to comprehend a piece of text is dependent on the interaction between these components. In this post, we will delve further into the components of comprehension and how they contribute to our understanding of text.

Text:
The text is the written language found in a piece of writing. It is composed of characters, words, sentences, and paragraphs. The text is the most significant component of comprehension as it provides the information that the reader needs to understand the author’s message. A text can be divided into three levels which include the surface level, the propositional level, and the situational level. The surface level deals with the physical aspects of the text, including punctuation, grammar, and vocabulary. The propositional level is concerned with the meaning conveyed by the text, while the situational level involves the social and cultural context in which the text was created.

Reader:
The reader is the person who reads, understands, and interprets the text. Readers bring their knowledge, background experiences, and worldviews to the process of reading. The reader’s comprehension level depends on his or her prior knowledge on the subject, familiarity with the text structure, vocabulary, and reading skills. Comprehension is a product of the interaction between the reader and the text.

Context:
The context includes all of the information that surrounds the text, including the purpose of the text, the author’s intentions, and the social and cultural norms that inform the text. The context provides readers with the necessary knowledge to make sense of the text. Factors such as a reader’s cultural background, language proficiency, and socio-economic status can influence their understanding of the text.

In summary, comprehension is a complex cognitive process that is dependent on several components. The text, reader, and context all contribute to the reader’s ability to understand a text. Understanding these components can aid in improving reading comprehension and foster more meaningful interactions with texts.