The Effects of Illustrations on Children's Comprehension of Abstract and Concrete Passages.

This study investigates the effects of illustrations on 11-year-olds' comprehension of abstract and concrete passages. For half the subjects, illustrations were provided and these subjects were instructed to utilize the illustrations in comprehending each of the stories. Results for the concrete passage revealed no significant effects due to the illustration, although ability effects were found for literal, inferential and total comprehension. Similar ability effects were found for the abstract passage. In addition, for the abstract passage significant effects attributable to the illustration were revealed for inferential and total comprehension. A more detailed analysis of this facilitative effect showed that both text-based and script-based inferences were significantly enhanced when an illustration accompanied the abstract passage.