As the collaborators, the English teacher of SMP Negeri 1 Jetis and the researcher colleague can use the findings of this study as a source of information
in using semantic mapping as the media to teach reading comprehension. For the students, the result of this research is expected to give them a new
experience in English learning, especially in learning reading, so they can be more motivated to develop their abilities. The students are also trained to use the
semantic mapping technique so that they can use it anytime to help them to comprehend texts.
For teachers, the result of this research is expected to provide them with alternative media to teach reading. It is also expected to motivate the teachers to
be more creative so the students will be more enthusiastic in learning in the class. For other researchers, the result of this research is expected to be
references in conducting another similar research.
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CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
A. Literature Review
1. Definition of Reading
Alyousef 2005 states that reading can be seen as an interactive process between a reader and a text which leads to reading fluency. In this process,
readers interact dynamically with the text in order to elicit the meanings using various kinds of knowledge through linguistic knowledge as well schematic
knowledge. McKnight 2000 believes that reading comprehension, or the construction
of meaning while reading, is the goal of reading and is not a solitary and simple process. It is a complex and dynamic process in which the reader decodes the
writer’s words and draws on his own background knowledge to construct an understanding of the text that is similar to the
writer’s intent. Comprehension relies on the reader’s experiences, knowledge about language, knowledge of the
text structures and genres, metacognitions, basic reasoning abilities and active engagement.
Barr, Sadow, and Blachowicz 1990 also emphasize that reading is an active process in which readers interact with the text to reconstruct the message of
the author or writer. They cite from recent research that states the extent to which reading depends on the background knowledge of readers and printed symbols
during the process of constructing knowledge. Dechant 1991 mentions that reading is clearly a process which is
complete only when comprehension is attained. He believes that reading will be
