4 Interactive-compensatory model
The compensatory means that the weakness of one area or skill may be supported by other strength in other area. When the readers do not have adequate
skills to achieve the comprehension of the written text, their weakness may be supported by their background knowledge to help them understand it.
c. The Levels of Comprehension
According to Cusherbery 1985: 49-54, there are four interrelated levels of comprehension skills, namely: literal meaning, interpretive reading, critical
evaluation, and creative reading.
1 Literal meaning
The literal meaning concerns with the understanding of things that are stated in the passages directly. The major factor, in order to comprehend what is being
read, is the students have to understand the meaning of the used vocabulary. In understanding the vocabulary itself, the readers can draw interpretation from the
content clues, the figures of speech, and the words with multiple meanings which are presented in the passage. Literal meaning also enables the readers to grasp the
main ideas stated in the sentences or in the paragraph. Other factor to notice in this stage is the use of punctuation since it can imply a different meaning. Furthermore,
the understanding on the literal meaning will help the interpretation of the students to deal with the reading materials.
2 Interpretive reading
Interpretive reading is the ability of the readers to gain insight the reading that is not stated but is implied. If the readers cannot understand what it is said in
the reading passage, they will not be able to interpret the meanings. When the readers have been capable of identifying specific facts, they should be introduced
to predict outcomes, draw conclusions, and discuss the relationship of cause and effect. The interpretive reading sometimes is called “reading between the lines.”
3 Critical evaluation
The critical evaluation is the act of giving judgment on the worth, the validity, or the authenticity of the reading materials. The judgment is based on the
understanding of the literal meaning of what is being read. In this critical evaluation, the readers are expected to be able to evaluate what is being read.
Therefore, they have to be able to understand what is being stated in the passage. There is a connection between the interpretive reading and the critical evaluation.
Both involve the higher-level processes of thinking in the abstract concepts. While reading, the readers engage in these two simultaneous activities. Moreover, the
success of the critical evaluation of the readers is seen from their ability to recognize the misleading statements, detect bias, and separate fact from opinion.
The experience also takes the important role in it.
4 Creative reading
Creative reading is the ability of the readers to relate personally about what is being read, to build up understanding and develop new insights. This creative
reading is based on the understanding of facts presented in the passage. The understanding of literal meaning bridges the success of this level. In creative
reading, the readers have to be able to visualize, do problem solving, generate new ideas, and to elaborate on or change. Moreover, creative reading is sometimes
called “reading beyond the lines.”
Among those four levels of comprehension, it is possible for the readers to understand the literal meaning without involving other three levels. The readers do
not need to be able to interpret the meaning, evaluate its concepts, and read creatively. On the other hand, when the readers cannot understand the literal
meaning of the passage, they will not be able to understand other levels. Hence, the success of the readers to understand the literal meaning becomes the essential
factor to determine the success of the readers in interpreting, evaluating, and reading creatively Cusherbery, 1985: 50.
The relationship between four interrelated levels of comprehension can be seen in the diagram below:
Figure 2.3 The relationship among four interrelated levels of comprehension skills Cusherbery, 1985: 49
Creative Reading •
Visualizing •
Problem solving •
Generating new ideas •
Elaborating upon or changing
Interpretive Reading •
Predicting outcomes •
Drawing conclusions •
Understanding cause and effect
Critical Evaluation •
Recognizing misleading statements
• Detecting bias
• Separating fact from opinion
Literal Meaning •
Understanding Vocabulary 1.
context clues 2.
words with multiple meanings •
Grasping main ideas 1.
in sentences 2.
in paragraphs •
Use of punctuation
d. The Teaching Reading Skills
