What does the schema theoretic model emphasize in reading comprehension?

The schema theoretic model emphasizes building new understanding from prior knowledge. This model suggests that readers come to texts with existing frameworks of knowledge, or schemas, which help them interpret and understand new information. When readers encounter new material, they activate relevant schemas that allow them to make connections between what they already know and the new content. This activation of prior knowledge facilitates deeper comprehension and helps in interpreting ambiguous or complex parts of the text.

In contrast, using context clues to infer meaning involves looking for hints within the surrounding text to discern meaning, which is a part of the comprehension process but does not encapsulate the broader significance of schema theory. Relying solely on textual information overlooks the importance of prior knowledge, which is foundational in the schema theoretic approach. Lastly, reading for enjoyment without analysis ignores the analytical component that schema theory incorporates, as it emphasizes understanding through the integration of new and existing knowledge rather than just passive enjoyment of the text.