Abstract
Effects of topic headings on the processing of multiple-topic expository texts were examined with the help of readers' eye fixation patterns. Adult participants read two texts, one in which topic shifts were signaled by topic headings and one in which topic headings were excluded. The presence of topic headings facilitated the processing of topic sentences and increased the number of topics mentioned in the text summaries written after reading the texts. The facilitatory effect of headings was reflected both in the fixations made during the first-pass reading as well as in the later look-backs directed to the topic sentences. A framework is outlined to depict the process of reading and comprehending multiple-topic expository texts.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 131-152 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| Journal | Learning and Instruction |
| Volume | 14 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 2004 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was supported in part by grants from Turun Yliopistosäätiö (Turku University Foundation) and Suomen Akatemia (the Academy of Finland) to the first author. We thank Miia Juntunen and Lauri Nummenmaa for their help in collecting and analyzing the data.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Developmental and Educational Psychology