What do poor readers fail to use effectively to find meaning while reading?

Poor readers often struggle to use contextual clues effectively when trying to derive meaning from text. Contextual clues are the hints or information surrounding unfamiliar words or phrases within a passage, which can help readers understand their meanings based on how they are used in the text. Effective use of these clues allows readers to infer meanings without needing to rely solely on a dictionary or prior knowledge of the term.

For instance, recognizing how a word is used in a sentence or observing nearby words that provide additional information can significantly aid comprehension. When readers are unable to effectively utilize these clues, they may miss important nuances or connections in the text, leading to a breakdown in understanding.

While lexical knowledge (understanding vocabulary), background knowledge (prior experiences or information about a topic), and semantic knowledge (understanding the meanings of words and phrases) are all vital for reading comprehension, the inability to leverage contextual clues is especially detrimental for poor readers as it directly affects their capacity to interpret and understand a text dynamically. In many cases, enhancing the ability to identify and use contextual clues can lead to significant improvements in reading skills.