This means that they are probably not aware that what they already know is an essential factor in understanding the material to be read. The background or prior knowledge that students bring to the reading of a selection may be the most important factor affecting how well they comprehend. It is nearly impossible for students to understand material that they have been given to read if they have little or no personal knowledge of the topic. Comprehension occurs when the information that is being read is connected with that which is already known. If readers do not make the connection, then there is limited comprehension.
Prior knowledge enables a person to read between and beyond the lines.
Since what is actually printed on the page is never fully explicit but only suggested, readers must use personal knowledge to fill in gaps and to integrate different pieces of information in the message. The process of interacting with text to construct meaning is largely the process of combining new information with prior knowledge. Demonstrate to students that it is important to use known information while reading. Explain to the students that they could read the statements, including the words that were not there, because they knew them already and because the words were in their minds. Advertising slogans and songs as well as movie and television show titles with which the students are familiar can also be used for this activity.