What do skilled readers possess that enables them to engage with text effectively?

Skilled readers possess purposefulness and activity, which are critical to effectively engaging with text. This means they approach reading with clear intentions, whether it be to gain information, enjoy a story, or analyze content. Purposefulness allows them to set goals for their reading, making it easier to process and understand the material.

Activity refers to the active engagement that skilled readers bring into their reading practice. This involves interacting with the text, asking questions, making predictions, and drawing connections to their own experiences or prior knowledge. When readers actively engage with what they are reading, they are more likely to retain information and develop deeper comprehension.

This combination of purposefulness and engagement supports the development of critical thinking skills, as readers evaluate and reflect on what they read. It enables them to navigate complex texts, identify main ideas, and summarize information effectively, leading to a more meaningful reading experience.

While fluency and speed are certainly important characteristics of proficient reading, they do not encompass the full range of skills that skilled readers use to ensure comprehension and engagement. Similarly, while analysis and synthesis skills contribute to understanding text, they are often outcomes of purposeful and engaged reading rather than foundational attributes. Inherent motivation is beneficial but does not directly describe the active approach and mindset that