This collection provides a number of perspectives on the central role that language plays in reading comprehension. Following an introduction by the editor, entitled "Attention and Individual Differences in Comprehension," the following papers are presented: (1) "The Line of Sight Approach," by Norman H. Mackworth; (2) "The Information Processing Approach," by D. L. Fisher and M. S. Smith; (3) "Language Development: Universal Aspects and Individual Variation," by Paula Menyuk; (4) "Developmental Psycholinguistics: Implications for Reading Research," by Stanley F. Wanat; (5) "Communication and Cognitive Style: A Clinical Perspective," by Robert W. Goldberg; (6) "The Role of Intention in Reading and Thinking," by Russell G. Stauffer; and (7) "Efficiency in Beginning Reading: Possible Effects on Later Comprehension," by Kenneth J. Smith. The first two papers consider different approaches to the analysis of reading comprehension difficulties. The third and fourth papers deal with commonalities and individual differences identified by research on language learning and some implications of that research for reading. The fifth and sixth papers explore cognitive style factors in communication and comprehension. The last paper discusses the types of linguistic units attended to in beginning reading. A list of references concludes the book. (Author/RM)