What reading strategy encourages readers to relate personal experiences to the text?

The strategy that encourages readers to relate personal experiences to the text is connecting prior knowledge to the material. This strategy involves the reader drawing on their own experiences, beliefs, and understanding as they engage with the text. By making these connections, readers can enhance their comprehension and retention of the material, as it becomes more meaningful and relatable.

When readers connect prior knowledge to the text, they can better understand themes, character motivations, and the context within which the text is situated. This practice fosters deeper engagement and creates a bridge between the reader's own life and the content they are exploring. For instance, a reader might recall a personal experience that parallels a character's journey, thereby enriching their interpretation of the story.

In contrast, while making predictions, visualizing content, and annotating text are valuable strategies in their own right, they focus on different aspects of reading comprehension. Making predictions involves anticipating what might happen next in the text, visualizing content requires creating mental images based on descriptions, and annotating text is about marking up the text for better understanding and retention. None of these strategies focus specifically on the personal connection that comes from relating experiences to the text.