Reading Comprehension - Strategies & Analysis

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Inference vs. Observation

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An observation is a fact explicitly stated in the text (e.g., 'The character cried'), while an inference is a logical conclusion reached by combining text clues with background knowledge (e.g., 'The character was sad').

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Textual Evidence

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Specific details, quotes, or paraphrased information from a text used to support a claim, answer a question, or validate an interpretation. It proves your thinking is grounded in the text, not just opinion.

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Main Idea vs. Theme

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The main idea is the central point of a specific paragraph or article (what it is mostly about), while the theme is a broader, universal message about life or human nature often found in literature.

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Cause and Effect Structure

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An organizational text structure where the author explains why an event happens (the cause) and the result of that event (the effect). Signal words include 'because,' 'due to,' 'consequently,' and 'as a result.'

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Compare and Contrast Structure

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A structure where the author analyzes similarities (compare) and differences (contrast) between two or more subjects. Look for signal words like 'however,' 'similarly,' 'both,' and 'unlike.'