Rodriguez Text-Tagging Method

The HERU Reader

The RTTM Comprehension Pathway

The HERU Reader is where decoding becomes comprehension. Students who complete HERU Foundations step into ten cognitive comprehension levels — the Rodriguez Text-Tagging Method — moving from Main Idea and Theme to Proof and Articulation, building a measurable Reading-IQ on real passages.

The Ten RTTM Comprehension Levels

A cognitive staircase from identifying the main idea to articulating full textual understanding.

1

Main Idea

Knowledge · Main Character + Main Issue = Main Idea

2

Theme

Comprehension · The lesson the author reveals

3

Cause & Effect

Analysis · Cause → Effect

4

Compare

Analysis · Term A ~ Term B (similarity)

5

Contrast

Analysis · Term A ≠ Term B (difference)

6

Symbols

Interpretation · Symbol → deeper meaning

7

Student Judgment

Evaluation · Reasoned position + support

8

Author's Purpose

Evaluation · Why the author wrote it

9

Proof

Synthesis · Cite + explain evidence

10

Articulation

Synthesis · Express the full idea in your own words