previewing nad predicting

Previewing and Predicting

  • Previewing: The process of reviewing titles, section headings, and photo captions to gain insight into the structure and content of a reading selection.

  • Predicting: Utilizing knowledge of the subject, text type, or author to make educated guesses about the content of a reading.

Importance of Previewing and Predicting

  • By previewing, you seek out information that allows you to develop predictions about the text.

  • Making predictions primes your reading and understanding, as you actively engage with the material beforehand.

  • Always strive to preview and predict before diving into a reading assignment for better comprehension.

Purpose of Previewing and Predicting

  • Goal: To promote active reading by enabling learners to forecast the likely content of a text by previewing.

  • Tools for previewing include:

    • Textbooks

    • Images and figures

    • Book covers

    • Maps

    • Charts

Guidelines for Previewing and Predicting Longer Passages

  • Spend only a few seconds on previewing to maintain efficiency.

  • Key steps include:

    • Read the title to infer context.

    • Determine the type of text (e.g., narrative, informational).

    • Assess the length and organization of the passage for structure.

    • Identify and note maps, pictures, charts, names, dates, or numbers present.

    • Examine the first line or sentence of each paragraph along with the last sentence of the final paragraph—these often contain critical information.

Example Predictive Exercise: Analyzing a Letter

  • When examining a letter, consider questions such as:

    • What kind of letter is it (personal or business)?

    • Who is the author of the letter?

    • Where is the letter originating from?

    • Will the content be interesting to the reader? Justify your reasoning.

Conclusion

  • During previewing, focus on noting visuals such as maps, book covers, images, and charts.

  • Reassess the first and last sentences of paragraphs, as they often highlight key ideas.

  • Formulate your text type knowledge, review the organizational structure, and make predictions based on those elements before beginning to read.

Acknowledgment

  • Thank you for your engagement with the material!