What does the term "schema" relate to in the context of reading comprehension?

The term "schema" is fundamentally connected to prior knowledge and experiences in the context of reading comprehension. It refers to the mental frameworks that individuals use to organize and interpret information based on their experiences. When readers encounter new texts, they tap into these existing schemas to make sense of the content, drawing connections between what they already know and the new information presented. This helps in understanding, retaining, and recalling the material effectively.

It is crucial for readers to activate relevant schemas to enhance comprehension, as doing so enables them to relate new concepts to familiar ones, facilitating deeper understanding and engagement with the text.