What is a primary reason students struggle with making text-to-self connections?

The choice that students have difficulty articulating their opinions as a primary reason for struggling with text-to-self connections highlights the importance of self-reflection in reading comprehension. When students find it challenging to express their thoughts or feelings about what they read, it becomes difficult for them to relate the content to their own experiences. Making text-to-self connections requires not only comprehension but also the ability to think critically and personally about the text. If students cannot articulate their opinions, they may miss opportunities to connect with the material, which can hinder their overall engagement and understanding.

In contrast, factors such as reading too quickly can lead to superficial reading but do not directly impede the ability to make personal connections if comprehension exists. A lack of interest in the subject may affect motivation, but it does not necessarily prevent connections from being made if the student is still able to engage with the material. Lastly, lacking reading skills altogether may pose fundamental challenges, but those students may still attempt to relate text to self, albeit in more limited ways. Thus, the articulation of opinions stands out as a significant barrier to forming meaningful text-to-self connections.