The Simple View of Reading

The Simple View of Reading is a formula first introduced by Gough and Tunmer in 1986. This formula demonstrates that in order for strong reading comprehension (RC) to be present, BOTH strong decoding (D) and strong language comprehension (LC) skills are required. It is important to understand that reading comprehension is a product, not a sum, of decoding and language comprehension. Therefore, reading comprehension abilities are dependent on both decoding abilities and language comprehension abilities. Poor skills in either one will lead to a breakdown in reading ability.

A student with strong decoding (1D) and strong language comprehension (1LC) will have strong reading comprehension (1RC):

1D x 1LC = 1RC

A student with weak decoding (0D) and strong language comprehension (1LC) will have weak reading comprehension (0RC):

0D x 1LC = 0RC

A student with strong decoding (1D) and weak language comprehension (0LC) will have weak reading comprehension:

1D x 0LC = 0RC

A student with partial ability in either decoding or language comprehension will only have partial reading comprehension ability:

.5D x .5LC = .25RC .5D x 1LC = .5RC 1D x .5LC = .5 RC

To learn more about the Simple View of Reading, view the infographic below from The Big Dippers, then read the Reading Rockets article with an embedded video from Linda Farrell, a blog from The Right 2 Read Project, and watch the Youtube videos from Maria Murray, founder of The Reading League, and SAReads.