Titles, not only serve as a retrieval cue, suggest knowledge structures on organizing the text which would be beneficial for free recall

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

- indicating prerequisite knowledge in order to understand the content
- clarifying ambiguous meanings in text that is abstract or metaphorical
- suggesting familiar knowledge structures which could help readers better understand the text

Potential effects of titles on reading processes

Lorch, R. F. (1989). Text-signaling devices and their effects on reading and memory processes. Educational psychology review, 1(3), 209-234.

Text-signaling devices and their effects on reading and memory processes

Further explanation on title’s effects on knowledge structures

Imagine you are presented with a large chunk of text, and the title reads: “respiratory system of whales”. If you have previous knowledge in this topic, then you would know that you could understand the text, and vice versa.

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