Research: Comprehension and Prior Topic Knowledge

Question: What is the effect of students’ prior topic knowledge on their comprehension?

Answer: “Sixth and seventh graders’ prior topic knowledge significantly influenced their comprehension of reading passages.” J Domaracki. 1984. Pp. 197-198.

Comment: We already knew that, of course. How can students increase topic knowledge? By surveying the chapter before reading. (Title, sub-title, first and last paragraphs, first sentence of each intermediate paragraph.) RayS.

Title: “Annotated Bibliography of Research in the Teaching of English.” JD Marshall and RK Durst. Research in the Teaching of English (May 1985), pp. 183-204.