Comprehension and response to different types of written language

Comprehension and response to different types of written language

Understanding Comprehension

  • Importance lies in understanding the gist or overall sense of the text, as well as the particular details. This includes understanding main ideas, supporting details, and the relationships between them.
  • It involves distinguishing between facts and opinions, identifying the writer’s uses of rhetorical devices, and recognising whether the text is objective or subjective.

Responding to Different Types of Written Language

  • Different genres demand different analytical approaches - a letter will not be analysed in the same way as a newspaper article or a story.
  • Genres include factual pieces (like news articles), fiction (like stories or plays), persuasive writing (like advertisements), and correspondence (like letters or emails).
  • It is important to understand and identify tone, style, register, purpose, and audience of the text.

Key Comprehension Strategies

  • Predicting content or intention of the text from the title or headline, introduction, and opening sentences.
  • Skimming and scanning for general understanding and specific information respectively.
  • Making inferences from explicit and implicit details in the text.
  • Connecting prior knowledge and cultural background with the text to aid understanding.

Approaching Urdu Language Texts

  • Urdu texts may use figurative language, symbols, proverbs, and idioms. Recognising and understanding these can provide deeper insights into the text’s meaning.
  • Be aware of contextual use of Urdu words and idioms, as they may not map directly to their English counterparts.
  • Pay attention to the cultural and societal nuances embedded in the text. Urdu texts, like those of any language, are influenced by their cultural context.

Review and Revision Techniques

  • Self-assess your comprehension skills regularly through practice questions to identify areas of improvement.
  • Utilise past papers and model answers to familiarise yourself with exam expectations and to improve your answering strategies.
  • Summarise texts in your own words to check your understanding.

Remember: proficient reading skills in Urdu require consistent practice and exposure to a variety of text types!