How do prediction strategies enhance reading comprehension?

Prediction strategies enhance reading comprehension by encouraging readers to make informed guesses about the content, structure, or outcome of a text before they fully engage with it. This active engagement prompts readers to draw upon their background knowledge, which helps in forming connections to the material. When students predict what may happen next in a story, or what a passage may be about based on its title or headings, they become more invested in the reading process.

Engagement is a key aspect of reading comprehension; when readers are curious about whether their predictions will be correct, they are more likely to pay closer attention to the details and nuances of the text as they read. This interaction not only keeps students involved but also helps them to monitor their understanding. If their predictions don't match what they encounter, it prompts them to re-evaluate their thoughts and refine their comprehension skills. Thus, prediction strategies serve as a bridge to deeper understanding and retention of the material.