Study Reading is different than other types of reading.
You must:
Process information
Check your comprehension
Keep records/notes
"Prior Knowledge" is the key to reading for information; the more
you already know about a topic the easier it is to read about it. How
do you gain prior knowledge? Read on.
SQ3R (Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review):
Survey:
Why?
To focus on the subject
To remember what you know
To organize the information in your mind
To look for main ideas
To make time management decisions
How?
Read the chapter title and headings
Read objectives, if they’re listed
Read the summary and/or the last paragraph
Study illustrations and graphic
Question:
Why?
To help you concentrate/focus
To give purpose to your reading and something to look for
To help you search your memory for what you already know
How?
Convert titles/headings to question form, e.g. “What
is . . . .”
Challenge statements in the text, e.g. “How could that
be true?”
Ask “Why” and other “W” questions
Read:
Why?
To comprehend
To learn
How?
Look for ideas instead of words
Follow the organization: main ideas, supporting details, transitions
Think as you read
Vary your pace; slow down or back up if you lose your way
Answer your questions as you go
Recite:
Why?
To check your comprehension
To remember what you’ve read
To learn
How?
After reading each section, look up from your text and recite
the main points
Don’t go on to the next section until you can do this
Review:
Why?
To remember/learn what you’ve read
To help you think and make connections
To be sure you know the material
To check your understanding
To enhance your participation
How?
After reading an entire chapter (or a major section), go through
it section by section and check your recall of the main ideas
If you can’t recall, review your notes and recite
Periodically, go back through all chapters in a unit and review
Keeping records/Taking notes:
Why take notes from/in your text book:
To help maintain concentration
To give a multi-sensory experience to your assignment (writing/learning)
To help you think and make connections
To save time and make your notes more efficient
To help you find important information quickly
To make your text easier to review
How: Suggestions for taking text notes:
Read first and mark selectively
Number important ideas (key words: “first,” “then”)
Add subheadings if necessary; use your own if the author doesn’t
have any
Mark special vocabulary; write definitions in margins if needed
Write your own ideas in margins, including connections with other
classes
Write questions as you read
Write brief summaries at the ends of sections
Make outlines of main ideas
Make maps
Make study sheets
Hints for reading difficult material:
Eliminate distractions
Slow down
Read when you’re alert, for a limited amount of time
Use resources in your text: outlines, summaries, glossaries (prior
knowledge)
Look up new words if there aren’t too many (good readers use
context)
Talk through passages; explain them to yourself
If you get lost, go back to the passage where you understood last;
make connections as you re-read
Increase your prior knowledge; ask your teacher, read something else
on the same subject
Theresa Sternat
Learning Assistance Center
Eastfield College
