Three Levels of Reading

Three Levels of Reading

• Literal Level – Author’s words in the book• Inferential Level – The reader’s interpretations• Applied Level – Using what’s learned in life

Three Levels of Reading

Applied Level – Using what’s learned

Inferential Level – The Reader’s interpretations

Literal Level – Author’s words in the book

Reading Problems & SolutionsLITERAL LEVEL

• People who do not read well at the literal level miss much of the information necessary to interpret the story.

• Weak literal reading is often caused by boredom and distractions, or reading too fast; it may also be caused by have rudimentary reading skills.

• Literal Solutions: 1. Find the right reading material2. Create a reading environment3. Re-read passages you didn’t grasp4. Keep reading to improve skills

Reading Problems & SolutionsINFERENTIAL LEVEL

• Good literal readers can have problems understanding the material for several reasons.– The material may be complicated or poorly written at the literal level– The material may be of an esoteric nature and discuss situations and events completely foreign to

readers– The reader was rushing to meet a deadline– The material may contain unfamiliar vocabulary– The reader doesn’t read between the lines

• Inferential Solutions:1. Read complicated books with others; don’t read poorly

written books2. Read a lot to become familiar with more situations and

events3. Expand your vocabulary at every opportunity4. Take the time to think

Reading Problems & SolutionsAPPLIED LEVEL

• People have problems applying their reading for several reasons:• Literal and inferential problems• Read for the wrong reasons – school assignment, bragging rights, fitting in• They were predisposed to disagree with the premise• Problems with transference – applying learning to new situations

• Applied Solutions:1. Read the best2. Read for fun 3. Share what you read4. Actively look for the parallels between your reading

and your life and apply accordingly