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CHAPTER II REVIEW ON RELATED LITERATURE
A. Review on Reading Comprehension
1. The Definition of Reading
There are many definitions given to the term of reading. The following are the definitions of reading proposed by some experts. According to William
1984: 11, reading is a process of obtaining meaning from written text. While Burns 1984: 20 states that reading is the interpretation of the meaning of
printed symbols. A person has not reading, if she or he does not derive meaning from a passage; even if the person has pronounced every word
correctly. Therefore, getting meaning from written passage is very important especially for the young learners who study foreign language.
Further, Silberstain 1994: 6 states that reading is an active process in which the reader worked intensively, interacting with the text in order to
create meaningful discourse. It is supported by Harmer 1998: 70 who states that reading is an incredibly active occupation. It is not a passive skill.
Readers have to understand what the words mean. Moreover, Grellet 1981: 8 states that reading is an active skill; it constantly involves guessing,
predicting, checking and asking oneself questions. It can be said that reading is an active skill which the readers should work intensively in order to obtain
the meaning of the text. According to Burns 1984: 21 who states that the interaction between a
reader and written language through which reader tries to reconstruct the writer’s message is closely related. While Heilman 1967:3 states that reading
involves more than mechanical process of correctly pronouncing words, it involves recognizing the meaning and the interaction between the reader and
the printed symbol which all are influenced by the reader’s attitudes, knowledge and past experience. It means that reading needs the interaction
between reader and written text which is influenced by background knowledge of field.
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From the definitions of reading above, it can be concluded that reading is an active process to obtain meaning from the written text. Readers should
bring their knowledge of the language, knowledge of the writing system and ability to interpret the meaning of the text.
The objective of all readers is comprehension of what they read Burns, 1984: 148. It was supported by Hornby 1995: 235 who sates that
comprehension is the main act or power of understanding. Further, Deboer and Dallman 1964: 17 state that reading is an activity that involves the
comprehension and interpretation of ideas symbolized by written or printed language.
Reading comprehension can be defined as thought process through which readers become aware of idea, understand it in terms of their experiential
background, and interpret it in relation to their own needs and purpose Kennedy, 1981: 192. It can be said that reading cannot be separated from
comprehension. In understanding and interpreting the written symbols, one must comprehend the text based on their own needs and purpose.
Furthermore Aebersold and Field 1997: 15 state that the meaning that one reader gets from a text may be different from other readers that read the
same text. This variation occurs because of influences on the reader by the family, community and cultural environment and because of individual
differences in motivation, aptitude, and other personal characteristics. Therefore, reading is not only comprehensive skills, but also on the reader’s
experience and prior knowledge. From the explanation above, it can be concluded that reading is an activity
that needs comprehension and interpretation of written language in which readers must be aware of an idea, understand it in terms of their experiential
background and interpret it in relation to their own needs and purpose.
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2. Purposes and Ways of Reading
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