The comprehension strategy of questioning involves actively asking and answering questions to improve understanding while reading. It's a technique that helps readers monitor their own comprehension.
How Questioning Works
By asking questions during and after reading, individuals can delve deeper into the text and identify areas they may not fully understand. According to "The Questioning Reading Comprehension Strategy," this process operates at different levels of thinking, encompassing:
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Literal Questions: These are questions where the answers are explicitly stated in the text. Example: "What color was the cat?"
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Inferential Questions: These questions require readers to make inferences and draw conclusions based on information in the text and their own background knowledge. Example: "Why do you think the character felt that way?"
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Evaluative Questions: These questions prompt readers to evaluate the text's content, author's purpose, or their own opinions about the text. Example: "Do you agree with the author's point of view?"
Benefits of Questioning
Employing the questioning strategy offers several key benefits:
- Active Reading: It encourages readers to be actively involved with the text, rather than passively reading words.
- Improved Comprehension: By seeking answers to questions, readers deepen their understanding of the material.
- Critical Thinking: Questioning promotes critical thinking skills as readers analyze and evaluate the text.
- Self-Monitoring: It helps readers monitor their understanding and identify areas where they need further clarification. Asking questions helps children to monitor their own comprehension as they read.
Practical Application
Here's how to implement the questioning strategy:
- Before Reading: Generate questions based on the title, headings, or any prior knowledge about the topic.
- During Reading: Pause at key points to ask questions about the content.
- After Reading: Review the text and answer any unresolved questions. Reflect on the main ideas and themes.
