What is meant by 'prior knowledge' in the context of reading?

In the context of reading, 'prior knowledge' refers to the knowledge and experience that readers bring to a text. This encompasses everything the reader has learned and experienced prior to engaging with the material at hand. It plays a critical role in comprehension, as it allows readers to make connections, predictions, and inferences based on what they already know. When readers relate new information to their existing knowledge, they are more likely to understand and retain the information from the text.

For example, a reader who has previously learned about a historical event will be able to understand and appreciate a novel set in that time period in a deeper way, drawing on their background knowledge to enhance comprehension. This contrasts with other options, which focus either on the text itself, such as the information and vocabulary contained within it, or on aspects of literature, like genres, that don’t directly address the significance of a reader's personal context in understanding a text.