When we break apart the skills involved in reading comprehension, we are constantly amazed at how many skills there really are. We use the same skills when we watch TV shows, listen to music, and view advertisements.
They are everywhere: in magazines, in newspapers, on the radio, at the movie theater, and on television. It is important that we protect ourselves from marketing "tricks", which are intended to "hook" the viewers/readers/
listeners. Perhaps the product is cheaply made. Maybe it isn't as it appears. Is it worth the price? Is it something you need? Let's dive right in to a commercial and hone our reading skills along the way.
The commercial below is for a popular brand of snack food - Hostess.
They are everywhere: in magazines, in newspapers, on the radio, at the movie theater, and on television. It is important that we protect ourselves from marketing "tricks", which are intended to "hook" the viewers/readers/
listeners. Perhaps the product is cheaply made. Maybe it isn't as it appears. Is it worth the price? Is it something you need? Let's dive right in to a commercial and hone our reading skills along the way.
The commercial below is for a popular brand of snack food - Hostess.
| QUESTION How do Hostess and kids go together? What makes a kid's world a special world? Did those kids wash their hands before handling their snacks? PREDICT Foods like this (comfort foods) will become part of the happy memories of these kids when they grow up. INFER Hostess does not seem to be a healthy food. Nothing was said in the commercial about calories or sugar. | CONNECT Hostess was in the news a while ago, because it went out of business, and people could no longer buy their products. FEEL This makes me feel nostalgic for the "good old days". Kids don't play in the same ways they did when this commercial was created. EVALUATE There is no mention of artificial ingredients, high calories, or diseases caused by overuse of this product. Still, the voice over calls the products wholesome. |
For more information about these six reading skills, see Reading Like a Reader.
