Each of these strategies is complex and methods for improving them need to be taught starting from basic ideas and gradually getting more difficult. Summarizing, in particular, has been identified as a difficult skill to develop. It involves forming connections between the text and the reader's background knowledge of the subject. Making inferences, picturing images and asking questions are all types of elaboration strategies. The first two steps are completed before the project has begun, to assess background information, and the third step is completed afterward to make the connections.
Monitoring is an advanced technique that involves a great deal of independent thinking.
Monitoring occurs when a reader is aware that they do not understand what was just read. The act of monitoring is knowing how to go back and find a way to gain understanding of the topic. Monitoring is knowing when to use the three other types of reading comprehension strategies. It is interesting to note how intertwined the three theories are. Each one supports the other.