The Role of Metatextual Knowledge in Text Comprehension

Abstract

Investigated the acquisition of metatextual knowledge in 42 children (Study 1) from grade 3 (mean age 8 yrs 8 mo) and 42 children from grade 5 (mean age 10 yrs 11 mo) and in 33 college students (Study 2). Metatextual knowledge is defined as the knowledge a person possesses about texts and text comprehension activities. It was found that metatextual knowledge evolves from superficial to semantic characteristics of texts and situations. Metatextual knowledge was significantly related to comprehension performance. Individual differences in students' metatextual knowledge; especially on items related to advanced text features and regulation strategies were also found. Educational implications are briefly discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2004 APA, all rights reserved) (from the chapter)