Abstract
The paper asserts that fiction is a sort of reality; even as the plot and characters are created by the whim of the author, to interest and inform and entertain the reader, a certain reality is needed that can attact the imagination of the reader. The paper explains that good fiction means we may need to ask questions about details or character, or eve re-read for fuller comprehension. But, the paper posits that in this age of short attention spans, nothing really lets imagination loose as does fiction.

From the Paper
"Fiction is reality in the mind and thoughts of the writer. And it is translated to the mind and thoughts of the reader. Names, places and plots may be imaginary, but the actions that occur and the results on the characters are real. So, perhaps the greatest "tip" for reading and understanding fiction is that one needs to be able to understand the people, be motivated by what happens to them, and feel that, having read the story or novel you understood who they were and why they did what they did. One must begin with the understanding that writing fiction is an art form: "In the same way that a painter uses shape, color, perspective, and...""

Tags:imagination, characters, enjoyment

Abstract
This paper consists of four sections. The paper explores the historical contexts of four themes of literacy acquisition and reviews the history of reading instruction. An objective analysis is made of how growth and development of the industrial sector triggered governments to set up formal schools and curriculum. The paper also discusses several reasons underlying the lackluster performance of students in reading and writing. The paper relates the five core essentials of a reading program and examines the successful impact of the Voyager Literacy program by presenting several recent empirical research studies. Finally, the paper looks at the attitudes and motivations of students towards reading, revealing the shortcomings of the present education system.

Outline:
Introduction
Section I: Theoretical Models of Literacy acquisition
Section II. Brief History of Reading Instruction
Section III: The Five Core Essentials of the Reading Program
Word Study
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension
Section IV: The Impact of the Voyager Program
Section V: Student Reading Attitudes

From the Paper
"The hunger to understand the environment and the results of education and its style of teaching has burst out over the last century. This outburst is now looking beyond the recurrent affairs about why the majority of the populace in certain regions can't, read or in certain cases, write. The ability to read and write has in the preceding years of study been established as vital components of areas that encompass polyglotics, ethnic surveys, as well as, psychology (Stephen, 2005)."

Tags:vocabulary, comprehension, fluency, words

Abstract
This paper is aimed at educators of middle and high schools. The paper discusses the importance of effectively combining reading and writing instruction with content instruction. The writer compares educational methods of the 1950's to those of today, stating the obvious improvements today. This paper emphasizes the responsibility of all teachers to understand how they can enhance and help develop their students? reading and writing skills.

From the Paper
"Learning to read and write are complementary skills. While in the younger years, writing depends on reading skills, by middle and high school, they are complementary skills: reading is necessary to do writing assignments, while writing about what has read increases comprehension of the reading materials. For this reason, separating reading and writing instruction from content areas is arbitrary and will eventually interfere with the students' progress in those content areas."

Tags:literacy, comprehension, language, education

Abstract
This paper deals with a review of the literature using guided reading as a tool in the classroom and how it can be used in a classroom. It offers a comprehensive methodology of how to implement guided reading and how to achieve the benefits of this activity. The research is based on a wide variety of sources and provides a good review.

From the Paper
"A critical foundation in guided reading is that students read the materials at their instructional levels. During a typical lesson, students discuss both the content and the strategies that they used to make sense of what is being read. Specific attention is devoted to comprehension levels, questioning, before-reading strategies, during-reading strategies, and after-reading strategies."

Tags:arts, education, language, reading, teaching, techniques, tools

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that among the many plausible reasons for helping students build vocabulary, perhaps the most important is the contribution of vocabulary knowledge to reading comprehension. The writer notes that one of the most enduring findings in reading research concerns the extent to which students' vocabulary knowledge relates to their reading comprehension. The writer points out that given that students' success in school and beyond depends in great measure upon their ability to read with comprehension, there is an urgent need to provide instruction that equips students with the skills and strategies necessary for lifelong vocabulary development. The writer concludes that reading comprehension places heavy demands not only on classroom teachers but also on curriculum planners, community workers, and parents.

Outline:
Introduction
History of Vocabulary ~ What is Vocabulary?
The Influence of National and State Standards
Two Best Assessment Procedures
Role of Technology
"Best Instructional" Practices in Reading and Writing
Five Dimensions of Learning Specifically Related to Vocabulary
Why is This Topic Important for Teachers?

From the Paper
"Vocabulary is knowledge of words and word meanings. However, vocabulary is more complex than this definition suggests. Most commonly, words come in two forms: oral and print. Oral vocabulary includes the words that we recognize and use in listening and speaking. Print vocabulary, are those words that we recognize and use in reading and writing. Next, we have word knowledge, which also comes in two forms, receptive and productive. Receptive vocabulary includes the words that we recognize when we hear or see them. Productive vocabularies are words that we use when we speak or write. According to research, receptive vocabulary is typically larger than productive vocabulary, and may include many words to which we give meaning, even if we don't know their full definitions - or ever use them ourselves when we speak and write."

Tags:reading, development, knowledge, oral

Abstract
This paper analyzes two articles, one on reading fluency and comprehension and the second on vocabulary development and comprehension. The paper explores the requirements for fluency in reading and considers whole class reading approaches.

From the Paper
"Steven A. Stahl argues that fluency in reading requires accuracy, the ability to read at a reasonable rate and the ability to read periodically or with enough expression that it sounds like language. For many young people experiencing reading difficulties centered on fluency, educational interventions are necessary. Stahl argues that while the aforementioned components of fluency are valid, they are not complete; what is needed in his view is recognition of the fact that both sight or visual reading and oral..."

Tags:reading, fluency, vocabulary, education

Abstract
The intent of the literature review is to determine whether evidence exists supporting the use of a choice of reading materials in the classroom, as a tool for promoting greater reading ability and comprehension. The writer proposes that there is a clear need for educators to adopt a more open-minded perspective regarding reading comprehension in the classroom.The paper examines how one way that administrators can motivate students is by providing them with access to a diverse selection of comprehensive reading materials. These reading materials will engage their personal interests and provide them with challenging but interesting material to review and interpret.

From the Paper
"Cheak & Wessel (2005) suggest that students who read more frequently are more likely to become strategic readers capable of processing information more contextually resulting in better reading comprehension. Researchers have identified reading motivation among the factors vital toward guiding the behavior of readers and promoting greater reading comprehension. Further, Cheak & Wessel (2005) find that individuals who are "intrinsically motivated" are more likely to persist with challenging research related material and exhibit a desire to "master" the skill of reading. Intrinsic motivation according to the researchers is essential for developing deep processing and hence learning in individuals."

Tags:process, information, behaviors, interest, curiosity

Abstract
By reviewing current research this study attempts to answer the following questions: 1) Does silent reading or oral reading/listening promote better reading acquisition and comprehension? 2) Can implementing silent reading and oral reading/listening practices more regularly in all grades benefit reading acquisition, comprehension and overall learning in the content areas?

From the Paper
"Interest was also a factor used in choosing the stories for each grade level. After completing the reading activity a close activity was administered in the same mode of delivery. This was repeated for the three learning modes, in each of the three grades and in the three ability levels of each grade. The results for the second grade were that regardless of reading ability, the oral reading mode produced significantly higher comprehension scores than the listening and silent reading modes. In the third and fourth grades the average and above average students comprehended better when reading silently or orally as opposed to listening. In the below average reading groups of both third and fourth grade listening was the most effective comprehension method followed by oral and silent reading. Silent reading was the poorest method of comprehension for this group at all three grades. This suggests that for comprehension effectiveness the learning mode used would best be done in conjunction with the students' reading levels. Other studies have generated similar results."

Tags:student, literacy, grade, concentration, child

Abstract
This paper addresses the problem of weak reading skills in middle school students, and suggests educational approaches to improving reading comprehension in particular. The author recommends that teachers, the instructional and/or educational materials and the educational policies should be at the forefront in assisting middle school children to acquire the reading comprehension skills they need. The role of each is described in the paper. Additionally, accommodations are recommended for children with special educational needs. The paper also lists the five essential components of reading instruction, describing the importance of each one. The paper concludes by stating students also take responsibility for their reading progress by practicing regularly.

Outline:
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Factors to increasing the reading comprehension abilities of the middle graders
The Teachers
Provision of More time for the Students
Maintenance of Research Based Curriculum and Instructional Approaches Regarding Reading Comprehension
Reference List

From the Paper
"Indeed, there have been recent studies conducted which reveal that reading and comprehension is becoming a challenging tasks for the teachers, particularly when they are handling the students from the middle grades. Students who are in the in their middle age of learning are already being taught for proper reading and comprehension. However, there are reports that show that there are increasing number of students who have gone to higher levels but "are still not fully equipped with the right reading and comprehension perspectives," thus a big task to teachers and other educational facilitators nowadays is how to increase the reading comprehension of students in the middle school (Snow, 2002)."

Tags:reading, elementary, school, dyslexia, learning, disabilities, reading, comprehension

Abstract
This paper attempts to analyze the best possible practices to improve the reading and comprehension of students, particularly elementary school students. This paper identifies the characteristics of elementary students and categorizes the different approaches used when teaching elementary students reading and comprehension.

Outline:
Introduction
Purpose of the Study
Hypothesis
Significance of the Study
Methodology
Research and Plan Solution Strategy
The Teachers
Additional Time
High-Quality Research Based Curriculum and Instruction
Phonemic Awareness
Phonics
Vocabulary
Fluency
Comprehension
Other Important Instructional Methods
Preschool and Early Literacy Opportunities
Implementation Plan and Matrix
Evaluation/Assessment Plan

From the Paper
"There has been much debate about phonics instruction. However, recent research has given phonics another look and has determined phonic instruction is needed (Hempenstall, 2002). Students that master phonics will have the decoding process in hand and can focus on building fluency and comprehension. Use direct, systematic explicit phonics instruction as a primary component of a reading program. CIEA states, "Systematic instruction includes a carefully selected set of letter-sound relationships that are organized into a logical sequence, and explicit are programs that provide teachers with specific directions for the teaching of these relationship" (Hempenstall, 2002). The issue is not whether to use phonics or whole language in reading instruction. "Rather, the issue is how phonics is used; as a primary component of a reading program, as well as when we use phonics; at the beginning reading level" (Hempenstall, 2002). "

Tags:reading, comprehension, teaching, understanding, phonetical, motivation, practice