By Dr. Matthew Lynch, Ed.D.
In the vast landscape of educational assessment and literacy instruction, the Cloze procedure stands as a unique and powerful tool for understanding reading comprehension, language proficiency, and cognitive processing. As an educational researcher who has extensively studied literacy assessment techniques, I’ve found the Cloze procedure to be an invaluable method for gaining insights into students’ reading abilities.
Origins and Historical Development
The term “Cloze” derives from the word “closure,” a psychological concept from Gestalt psychology suggesting that humans have a natural tendency to complete incomplete patterns or information. The procedure was developed by Wilson Taylor in 1953, originally conceived as a method to assess the readability of texts and measure readers’ ability to understand context and predict meaning.
Taylor’s groundbreaking work emerged from communication theory and psychological research on information processing. He hypothesized that a reader’s ability to fill in systematically deleted words in a text would reveal their comprehension and linguistic competence.
Basic Concept and Methodology
The Cloze procedure involves creating a text passage where words are systematically deleted and replaced with blank spaces. Typically, every nth word (often every 5th or 7th word) is removed, creating a gap that the reader must fill using context and linguistic knowledge.
Standard Procedure
1.Select a representative text passage
2.Delete words systematically (usually every nth word)
3.Replace deleted words with blank lines of uniform length
4.Ask readers to fill in the blanks with appropriate words
Example
Original Text:
“The curious cat watched the birds flying in the bright blue sky.”
Cloze Procedure Text:
“The _______ cat _______ the birds _______ in the _______ blue _______.”
Types of Cloze Procedures
Rational Deletion
- Words are deliberately chosen for deletion
- Focuses on specific linguistic or comprehension aspects
- Useful for targeted assessment of vocabulary or grammatical understanding
Random Deletion
- Words are removed systematically but randomly
- Provides a more comprehensive view of overall comprehension
- Less biased toward specific linguistic features
Controlled Deletion
- Specific types of words are targeted (e.g., only nouns or verbs)
- Allows for more nuanced assessment of particular language skills
Applications in Education
Reading Comprehension Assessment
- Measures ability to understand context
- Evaluates predictive and inferential reading skills
- Provides insights into semantic and syntactic processing
Language Proficiency Testing
- Assesses second language learners’ comprehension
- Reveals understanding of grammatical structures
- Evaluates vocabulary knowledge in context
Readability Evaluation
- Determines text difficulty
- Helps select appropriate texts for different reading levels
- Guides curriculum and material selection
Diagnostic Tool
- Identifies specific reading challenges
- Helps design targeted interventions
- Provides detailed insights into individual learning needs
Scoring and Interpretation
Scoring Methods
1.Exact Word Match: Only the original word is considered correct
2.Acceptable Word Method: Semantically and grammatically appropriate alternatives are accepted
3.Partial Credit: Partial points for partially correct responses
Performance Interpretation
- 60% or higher: Indicates good comprehension
- 40-59%: Suggests potential comprehension challenges
- Below 40%: Indicates significant reading difficulties
Advantages of the Cloze Procedure
Comprehensive Assessment
- Evaluates multiple aspects of reading
- Provides holistic view of language processing
- Minimizes test-taking strategies that might skew results
Versatility
- Applicable across different languages
- Usable with various text types
- Adaptable for different age groups and skill levels
Cost-Effective
- Relatively simple to create
- Easy to administer
- Requires minimal specialized training
Limitations and Criticisms
Potential Bias
- Performance can be influenced by text topic familiarity
- Cultural references might impact comprehension
- Some argue it doesn’t fully capture reading complexity
Scoring Challenges
- Determining “acceptable” alternative words
- Potential subjectivity in scoring
- Time-consuming for extensive assessments
Cognitive Load
- Can be mentally taxing for some students
- Might not suit all learning styles
- Potential anxiety for struggling readers
Modern Adaptations and Technology
Digital Cloze Procedures
- Online platforms for administration
- Immediate scoring and feedback
- Adaptive testing capabilities
Multimedia Cloze
- Incorporating audio and visual elements
- More engaging for digital-native learners
- Broader assessment of multimodal comprehension
Artificial Intelligence Integration
- Machine learning for more nuanced scoring
- Personalized assessment approaches
- Real-time comprehension analysis
Practical Implementation Strategies
For Educators
- Start with familiar, engaging texts
- Provide clear instructions
- Use varied deletion strategies
- Offer supportive feedback
For Researchers
- Standardize deletion procedures
- Consider multiple scoring methods
- Account for contextual variables
- Use in conjunction with other assessment tools
Conclusion
The Cloze procedure represents more than just an assessment technique—it’s a window into the complex cognitive processes underlying reading comprehension. By systematically revealing how individuals construct meaning from context, it offers educators and researchers profound insights into language learning and literacy development.
As educational technologies and understanding of cognitive processes continue to evolve, the Cloze procedure will undoubtedly adapt. Its fundamental strength lies in its simplicity and its ability to illuminate the intricate ways humans make sense of written language.
For educators committed to understanding and supporting literacy development, the Cloze procedure remains an essential tool—a method that transforms the act of reading from a passive reception of text to an active, meaning-making process.
