English 10 Quarter 1 – Module 1
delivery of thoughts. Study the following cohesive devices.
What is it?
Using different types of informative materials like news reports,
speeches and other informative talks will improve our way of giving
responses and reasoning and therefore, be able to identify facts from
fallacies and opinion.
Reading for some is a straightforward task that’s easy to master. But
this is a complex skill which is possible to attain with some
guidelines which are on hand in this lesson. Read and analyze each
given examples to better understand any given informative materials.
Essential Skills for Reading Comprehension
1. Decoding
Decoding is a vital step in the reading process. Decoding relies on an
early language skill called phonemic awareness. (This skill is part of
an even broader skill called phonological awareness.)
Decoding also relies on connecting individual sounds to letters. For
instance, to read the word sun, young learner must know that the
letter “s” makes the /s/ sound. Grasping the connection between a
letter (or a group of letters) and the sounds they typically make is an
important step toward “sounding out” words.
2. Fluency
To read fluently, learners like you need to instantly recognize words,
including ones you cannot sound out. Fluency speeds up the rate at
which you can read and understand text. It is also important when
you encounter irregular words, like of and the, which can’t be
sounded out.
Sounding out or decoding every word can take a lot of effort. Word
recognition is the ability to recognize whole words instantly by sight,
without sounding them out.
Fluent readers read smoothly at a good pace. They group words
together to help with meaning, and they or you may use the proper
tone of voice when reading aloud. Reading fluency is essential for
good reading comprehension. The main way to help build this skill is
through practice reading books.
3.
Vocabulary
The ability to understand what you are reading depends on the list of
vocabulary words that you are familiar with. Having a strong
vocabulary is a key component of reading comprehension.
Students can learn vocabulary through instruction, but they typically
learn the meaning of words through everyday experience and also by
reading.
The more words you are exposed to, the richer your vocabulary
become. Try to include new words and ideas. Telling jokes and
playing word games is a fun way to build this skill. When reading
aloud, stop at new words and define them. Even without hearing a
definition of a new word, you can use context to help figure it out.
4. Sentence Construction
When sentences, ideas, and details fit together clearly, readers can
follow along easily, and the writing is coherent. This means the ideas
are tied together smoothly and clearly.
Coherent Devices
In order to achieve this, the writer must use devices that will help his
A. Repetition of a Key Term or Phrase
 This helps to focus your ideas and to keep your reader on track.
Example:
The problem with contemporary art is that it is not easily
understood by most people. Contemporary art is deliberately abstract,
and that means it leaves the viewer wondering what she is looking at.
B. Synonyms
 S y n o n y m s
and they provide some variety in your word choices, helping the
reader to stay focused on the idea being discussed.
Example:
Myths narrate sacred histories and explain sacred origins.
These traditional narratives are, in short, a set of beliefs that are a
very real force in the lives of the people who tell them.
C. Pronouns
 This, that, these, those, he, she, it, they, and we are useful
pronouns for referring back to something previously mentioned.
The pronouns this, that, these and those can be used to refer to
entire sentences as well.
Example:
When scientific experiments on COVID-19 vaccines do not
work out as expected, they are often considered failures until some
other scientist tries them again. Those that work out better the second
time around are the ones that promise the most rewards.
D. Transitional Words
 There are many words in English that cue the readers to
relationships between sentences, joining sentences together. Few
among the lists of transitional words are however, therefore, in
addition, also, but, moreover, etc.
Example:
I like staying at home, and yet it is a tiring routine, too. The
days, weeks and months passed swiftly, but I can't help thinking of
going back to the normal situation. However, the new normal has
taught me to appreciate and pay more attention to the people around
me—my parents, my family.
E. Sentence Patterns
 Repeated or parallel sentence patterns keep ideas tied together
and create word patterns readers can follow easily.
Example:
At this pandemic time, extending a hand and giving an aid to
the much needy is a virtue to help our economy.
5. Reasoning and Background Knowledge

Background knowledge helps readers draw inferences, which

develops critical thinking skills and makes reading more enjoyable.

Inference in reading is the ability to understand the meaning of a

passage of text without all the information being spelled out. From
context clues within a passage, the author gives information about
plot, characters, setting, time period and other elements of story by
the things he or she infers.

Concept maps and graphs also help readers have visual models for
inferring and securing a background knowledge.

6. Working Memory and Attention

Working memory and attention are both key to learning new

information. Attention allows information to be taken in. Working
memory helps the brain make sense of it.

When you used to read, attention allows you to take information from
the text. Working memory allows to hold on to that information and
use it to gain meaning and build knowledge from what you are
reading.

Key Ideas
 Decoding, fluency, and vocabulary skills are key to reading
comprehension.
 Being able to connect ideas within and between sentences helps
you understand the whole text.
 Reading aloud and talking or sharing about experiences can help
improve reading skills.
 All these are essential skills that are of great help in gathering
information through various materials like news reports (from
newspapers, television, magazines, brochures and more;
informative speeches and essays; chart and graph of different
kinds and several others.