The Definition of Reading

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CHAPTER 2. THE REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents the review of the literature related to the topic of the research. They are: the definition of reading comprehension skill, reading comprehension achievement, recount text, the snowball throwing technique, the procedure of teaching reading comprehension at SMPN 7 Jember by using snowball throwing technique, and research hypothesis.

2.1 The Definition of Reading

Reading is one of language skills that has a complex process. This statement means that reading needs some elements which need to work together to reach comprehension. Horowitz 2014 assumes that comprehension involves a complex cognitive process which synchronizes a number of ingredients that work together automatically. For example to have good comprehension, the reader should understand the vocabulary, monitor the words meaning while reading, and use reading comprehension strategies. In line with this idea, Konza 2011 conceptualizes that reading is a complex process because this builds on oral language facility, include phonemic and decoding strategies, and the use the comprehension strategies. In reading activity, the role of words and letters in the text affect to the understanding. In other words the letters and words are such as vehicles required for understanding because the act of comprehension does not take place on the page, but in the brain, how the brain can catch the meaning well Scharer, 2012. In line with this idea, Schoenbach, et al. 1999 state that reading is not only taking the words off the page but it is a complex process of problem solving. This means that the reader must understand the meaning not only from the words and sentences on the pages but also the idea, memories and knowledge which the sentences possess. Furthermore, Astuti 2014 states that reading does not mean to pronounce and explain the words but it is about understanding the writer’s intention. However this skill is important to be learnt by language learners. The reason is because when language learners read, they will enrich their knowledge about vocabulary, spelling, later on, they will be able to write. Harmer states “Reading is useful for language acquisition. Reading also has a positive effect on students’ vocabulary knowledge, on their spelling and on their writing”Harmer, 2007. Therefore reading is an important activity because learners will not only understand about the content what they read but also increase their English skill. Moreover, reading is important skill for language acquisition. As stated by Mart 2012, it is difficult for language acquisition without reading because reading will facilitate how to comprehend the new language well.

2.2 Reading Comprehension