The Notion of Reading

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CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED THEORIES

A. Theoritical Description 1. Reading Comprehension

a. The Notion of Reading

Before discussing the definition of reading comprehension, the researcher would like to explain about the notion of reading. Reading is a very important thing in the world education. Everyone can learn anything because he or she can read some books. It is an essential skill for learners of English since reading skills in English help learners to make progress in other areas of language learning. However, the average foreign language learners‟ reading ability is well below that of the first language. Consequently, this can impede progress in foreign language reading. When someone is a student, heshe cannot separated from reading activity. If someone wants to be good students, they should develop their reading skills. They are demanded to read more books to get real information, new finding to another knowledge. It is true that they read what they want to read, if they need something to solve their problems. The word „reading‟ comes from the word read . In Oxford Learner‟s Pocket Dictionary, the word „read‟ means you read printed or written words, symbols or diagrams when you look at and then understand them. While, „reading‟ means the activity of looking at and understanding printed words in books and other publication. Some experts have their own definition of reading. In this case some definitions of reading will be discussed. Davies 1995: 1 gives the definition that reading is a private activity. It is a mental or cognitive process which involves a reader in trying to follow and respond to a message from a writer to the reader who distances in space and time. Grellet 1992: 8 states that reading is an active skill. It constantly involves guessing, predicting, checking and asking oneself question. commit to user Kustaryo 1988: 2 states that reading is the combination of word recognition, and intellect, and emotion interrelated with prior knowledge to understand the message communicated. Nuttal 1982 in Simanjuntak 1988: 4 defines reading as the meaningful interpretation of printed or written verbal symbols. It means that reading is a result of the interaction between the perception of graphic symbols that represent language and the rea der‟s language skills, cognitive skills, and knowledge of the world. In this process the reader tries to recreate the meanings intended by the writer. Wiratno 2003: 162 states that based on the way of reading, reading activity is divided into two points of view. First, reading is dissolved the text to get understanding to its content. Second, reading is pronouncing the text orally. Moreover, Wallace 1996: 4 adds that reading is interpreting which means reacting to a written text as a piece of communication; in other words, we assume some communicative intent on the writer‟s part in which the reader has some purposes in attempting to understand. Based on all the definitions of reading above, it can be concluded that reading involves some processes that are used to get the meaning and ideas from the written text which is symbolized in written or printed language. It is an active and communicative process, that goes on between the reader and the text, resulting in comprehension. It is a means of communication between the reader and the writer.

b. The Notion of Reading Comprehension