- Reading Comprehension
What We've Learned About Reading Comprehension and Effective Instruction
Nancy Hennessy, M.Ed.![A circular graphic illustrating a heuristic for thinking about comprehension from Catherine Snow in 2002, with sociocultural and context influences surrounding text, activity and reader.](https://files.readinguniverse.org/Graphics/hennessey-figure-one-reading-universe.jpg)
![An illustration of the heuristic with the three elements explained. Element one: Text Demands (text composition with vocabulary choice, sentence structure, text structure and features) and Text Content (implied background knowledge). Element two: the activity consisting of purpose (acquisition and application of knowledge) and activities (varied levels of understanding). And element three: Reader Characteristics made up of language comprehension and knowledge (word meaning, sentence meaning, text structure knowledge), cognitive capacities (attention, memory) and motivation (purpose, attitudes, and interests).](https://files.readinguniverse.org/Graphics/hennessey-figure-two-reading-universe.jpg)
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Reading Universe is made possible by generous support from Jim & Donna Barksdale, the AFT, the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, and three anonymous donors.