Unpacking 6 Types of Comprehension: A Comprehensive Guide

Unpacking 6 Types of Comprehension: A Comprehensive Guide

As a reader, we often think of comprehension as a standard way of understanding written information. However, little do we know that there are different types of comprehension techniques that we use. Each type of comprehension comes with its own unique way of processing information. To help you get a better understanding of these types, we have come up with a comprehensive guide that unpacks six different types of comprehension.

Literal Comprehension

Literal comprehension is the most basic form of comprehension. It involves understanding the information provided explicitly in a text. When we read a sentence or paragraph, we can easily identify the information conveyed in it. It can be factual information or pieces of data that the author wants to share. For example, the sentence, “The sun rises in the east and sets in the west,” is a piece of factual information that can be easily understood.

Interpretive Comprehension

Interpretive comprehension is the process of understanding the meaning behind words or phrases used in a text. This type of comprehension involves the ability to read beyond the surface-level meaning. It requires readers to use their prior knowledge, context clues, and other analytical skills to interpret the information. For example, if the author writes, “She spoke with a sugar-coated tongue,” the reader will understand that the woman spoke pleasantly, but her words probably were not genuine.

Inferential Comprehension

Inferential comprehension is a type of comprehension where the reader can make informed guesses about what might happen next or what the author is implying. In other words, it involves understanding the implicit meaning of the text. Typically, these types of inferences are drawn from the author’s language use, the text’s tone, and the character’s actions. For example, if the author writes, “John never seemed to like his boss,” the reader might infer that there is probable tension between John and his boss.

Evaluative Comprehension

Evaluative comprehension is about reading a text critically. This involves analyzing the author’s use of language, evidence, and the credibility of the sources used. It is about understanding the strengths and limitations of the texts and using it to form a judgment. For instance, if you read an article about the benefits of a particular diet, you can evaluate its credibility based on the author’s use of scientific evidence.

Appreciative Comprehension

Appreciative comprehension involves identifying and responding to the elements of a written text that you find enjoyable or helpful. It’s about identifying what is unique and noteworthy about the text and what you can learn from it. This type of comprehension encourages you to appreciate and value the written work. For example, if you read a book, you might appreciate the author’s use of imagery or their ability to create suspense.

Analytical Comprehension

Analytical comprehension is about breaking down the text to its smaller parts to understand how it works. It typically involves using different literary techniques to analyze the text to draw a deeper understanding. For instance, you can analyze a text’s use of metaphors, similes, symbols, or other literary devices to understand how it conveys its message.

Conclusion

Comprehension is a multi-faceted process that can vary depending on the nature of the text. Developing a better understanding of these types of comprehension will help you to approach the texts more critically and respond with depth and nuance. Whether you are reading for pleasure or studying professionally, these six types of comprehension remain crucial elements that help us to make sense of the information we encounter.