Text Manipulation Stages

Stage 1: Students are given segmented texts which they must read and answer 5 to 10 comprehension questions. For each incorrect question, students are required to locate the correct answer in the text used through the use of rereads. Upon locating the correct response, students are required to orally read aloud the section of text which contains the correct answer. They are asked to give particular attention to their use of expression and intonation. After conducting their oral reads, students self-rate their reading performance on a scale of 1-5. Next, they glue cut-up phrases from the text supported correct response onto construction paper and include appropriate punctuation. Students then may practice reading these text segments and then audio-tape themselves fluently reading the phrases.

Stage 2: Stage 2 follows the same steps as stage 1; however, there are blank spaces placed between each phrase.

Stage 3: Stage 3 is also similar to stage 1; however, two dots are used to mark the phrases. The dots are gradually deleted so that only two-thirds of the text is marked in phrases, then one-third. When these lessons are done successfully, then unmarked text is used. Success is indicated by 70% or above comprehension rate and reading with good expression.

Dowhower, S. L. Speaking of prosody: Fluency’s unattended bedfellow. Theory into Practice. Oxford: Summer, 1991. Vol XXX, Iss. 3, 165-175.

Inflection and Prosody as a function of Fluency

By DellaMcGuire and CameronVenuti