Previewing and predicting text content

The purpose of the activity

To encourage active reading through the use of previewing and prediction. The learners preview a text in order to predict its likely content.

The teaching points

• Using text features to predict text content.
• Making logical predictions from headings or from partial reading of a text.

Resources

• Copies of the selected text or extract.
• An outline of the text, made by listing the headings and any major visual features.
• Sticky notes (optional).

The guided teaching and learning sequence

1. Present the text outline to the learners and ask them to predict what the text will be about.

2. Ask the learners to read one section of the text, then predict what information will be presented next.

3. As the learners read the next section, have them tick or make notes to indicate where they predicted accurately. Sticky notes are useful for this activity.

4. Discuss how the predictions could guide the learners’ actual reading of the text.

Follow-up activity

The learners can take responsibility for selecting and preparing texts for this activity.