Reading and understanding what you're reading is essential in today's world. It is like having a superpower! It means you can learn new things quickly and easily and use that knowledge to develop your ideas and solutions to problems.

You must read textbooks, articles, and other materials in school to learn about different subjects. However, comprehending what you are reading is also important outside of school. For example, you might need to read instructions for a project you are working on or want to learn about something you're interested in.

If you can comprehend what you're reading, you can generate ideas based on your learning. Consequently, you can think critically about the information and come up with your conclusions. In addition, you can come up with new and creative solutions to problems based on what you have learned.

In today's society, many jobs require people who can read and comprehend information quickly and effectively. For example, if you work in a field like science or engineering, you'll need to read technical reports and research papers to stay up-to-date on the latest developments. Comprehending what you are reading can help you do your job better and make significant contributions to your field.

So, if you want to succeed in school and life, working on your reading and comprehension skills is essential. Read as much as possible, practice taking notes, and ask questions when you do not understand something. With practice, you will become a better reader and be able to generate your ideas based on what you have learned.



Explicit or Implicit

In English, whether you're reading a book, an article, or even listening to someone speak, you'll come across information and ideas that can be either explicit or implicit.

Explicit information and ideas are straightforward and directly stated. They are easy to understand because they are clear. For example, if someone says, "I'm tired," then it's explicit that they are feeling tired.
Implicit information and ideas, on the other hand, are not directly stated but rather implied through context clues or hints. This means that you'll have to think a bit to figure out what the speaker or writer is trying to convey. For example, if someone says, "I'm going to go hit the books," it might be implicit that they will study.

In English, it's important to identify both explicit and implicit information and ideas, as they can be important for understanding what you're reading or listening to. Implicit information can add depth and complexity to a text or speech and help you make connections and draw conclusions you might not have otherwise. However, it can also be tricky to identify, so paying attention to details and clues in the language is essential.

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Before you can start analysing text, you need to understand and comprehend the most basic things it is trying to communicate to you.
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Remember, the information and ideas to identify can be explicitly stated or implicity implied.
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Explicit information is clearly and directly written or stated in the text. An example of explicit text would be: "The book was published in 2005 by HarperCollins Publishers." This tells us exactly when and by whom the book was published and leaves no room for interpretation. Another example could be: "The recipe calls for 2 cups of flour." This tells us exactly how much flour is needed for the recipe.
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Uncovering implicit information requires a bit more effort as it's not directly stated. For example, consider this sentence: "After hours of searching, she finally found the one." From this sentence, we can infer that the person was looking for something specific and that it was difficult to find. It's not explicitly stated what was being searched for, but we can use context clues to make an educated guess. Another example could be: "As the couple walked down the street, they held hands and smiled at each other." Again, it's not explicitly stated that the couple is in a happy relationship, but the fact that they are holding hands and smiling suggests that they are.


Extracting explicit and implicit information

EXAM QUESTIONS - BE PREPARED

Explicit and implicit information is covered in GCSE English Language paper 1, question 1 and paper 2, question 1. Learn to read explicit and implicit information and underline the relevant facts as you read the text.

Q. Reading the source paragraph below and extract the explicit and implicit information that can help you understand Samantha's situation.

Source: "Samantha walked into the kitchen and saw that the sink was full of dishes. She sighed and began to wash them, scrubbing each plate and cup until they shone. After she finished, she noticed that the clock on the wall read 11:45. She quickly dried her hands and grabbed her coat, realising she was running late for her meeting with the boss."

EXPLICIT INFORMATION:

1. The sink was full of dishes.
2. Samantha washed the dishes until they shone.
3. The clock read 11:45.
4. Samantha was running late for a meeting with her boss.

IMPLICIT INFORMATION:

1. Samantha is responsible for cleaning the dishes.
2. Samantha takes pride in having clean dishes.
3. Samantha is punctual and likes to arrive on time for appointments.
4. Samantha values her job and wants to make a good impression on her boss.

The explicit information in the text is clearly stated and easy to understand. It tells us exactly what happened, such as the state of the dishes in the sink, the time on the clock, and Samantha's need to hurry to her meeting.

The implicit information, on the other hand, is not directly stated but can be inferred from the details in the text. For example, we can gather that Samantha is responsible for cleaning the dishes, as she is the one who began washing them. We can also see that she takes pride in having clean dishes, as she made sure to scrub each plate and cup until they shone. Additionally, Samantha is punctual and values her job, as she is hurrying to her meeting with the boss and wants to make a good impression.

We can paint a complete picture by combining explicit and implicit information about Samantha's character and her situation.



Learn to summarise information

EXAM PAPER 2, QUESTION 2

When completing Paper 2, question 2, a student must analyse two texts on the same topic and identify similarities or differences in the information presented. Questions like these are designed to test a student's ability to compare and contrast written texts effectively. Therefore, it is essential to carefully read and comprehend both texts to pick out relevant information and ideas.

Once this is completed, the student needs to summarise the similarities or differences they have found. This type of analysis helps to develop a deeper understanding of the topic and helps to build critical thinking skills. By completing this question, the student will have demonstrated their ability to evaluate multiple sources of information on the same topic and analyse them effectively.

When writing about similarities and differences, using appropriate linking words to connect your ideas and present your arguments effectively is important. For instance, one may use words like compared with, in the same way, or likewise, to compare two items. Alternatively, expressions such as by contrast, conversely or despite can be employed to establish a clear difference between two related ideas.

In either case, it is necessary to back up your claims with concrete examples from the text or other factual data. By linking words and providing relevant examples, writers can clarify their arguments and make it easier for the reader to understand their viewpoint.
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Here are some one-word examples of linking words to show similarities: Similarly, Likewise, Equally, Also, Correspondingly
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And here are some one-word examples of linking words to showdifferences: However, But, Although, Whereas, Nevertheless, Nonetheless, Contrarily, Conversely


Q. Using the two sources below, write a summary of the similarities and differences between John and Sophie.

SOURCE 1

John was a hardworking man who had been working at the same company for over 20 years. He had a wife and two children who he loved very much. John was always punctual and never missed a day of work. He was respected by his colleagues for his dedication and work ethic. Despite his long hours at work, John always made time for his family and enjoyed spending time with them on weekends. He was a simple man who found joy in the little things in life.

SOURCE 2

Sophie was a young, ambitious woman who had just started her own business. She was passionate about her work and spent long hours every day trying to make her business a success. Sophie was always pushing herself to do better and never settled for less. She was highly motivated and determined to succeed, even if it meant sacrificing her personal life. Sophie was confident in her abilities and never let setbacks get in her way. She was a risk-taker and believed that taking risks was the key to success.

SIMILARITIES
John and Sophie share some similarities in their work ethic and dedication to their respective careers. According to the source, John is a hardworking man who has been with his company for over 20 years, respected by his colleagues for his dedication and work ethic. Similarly, Sophie is a young, ambitious woman who started her own business, working long hours and pushing herself to improve. Both characters are motivated and determined to succeed in their careers, and others recognize their hard work.

DIFFERENCES
John and Sophie differ in their priorities and attitudes towards life. As per the source, John is a family-oriented man who values spending time with his wife and children and finding joy in the simple things in life. On the other hand, Sophie is highly ambitious and willing to make personal sacrifices to achieve her goals. She is confident in her abilities and takes risks to succeed. While John is content with his life, Sophie constantly pushes herself to do better and achieve greater success in her career.



Revision Quiz for Information and Ideas

To answer the questions correctly, hover over each option and click to select it. After you finish, click 'Submit' to check your score and see the correct answers and explanations. Most questions will include an explanation with the answer. Please take the time to read the explanations accompanying the answers to your questions. Doing so will give you a better overall understanding of the topic. All the best!