Strategies for Textbook Reading

Chapter 1

SQ3R

SQ3R A Reading -Study Strategy

Survey Question Read Recite Review

Step One -- Survey

To survey the chapter means to preview the chapter before you read it.

The Three Goals of Surveying – to get

A general overview A feeling for the writer’s style and organization A sense of what’s important An idea of the chapter’s natural breaks or

divisions

How to Survey (7 steps)

1. Read the title 2. Read any introductory material. Pay attention to

chapter outlines, lists of questions, goals, and objectives.

3. Formulate a general question about the chapter’s overall point or points.

4. Read each heading and the first sentence following each heading.

Survey -- 7 Steps (continued)

5. Look at all visual aids. Read all captions and explanations accompanying the graphics.

6. Read all bold-printed or italicized words and words in the margins.

7. Read end-of-the-chapter summaries and questions, or read the last page if there is no summary.

Why Survey?

Get the big picture Decide what’s important Know the main points Connect what you already know to

what you don’t know Prepare to read

Step Two -- Question

Turn chapter headings/subheadings into questions to guide your reading– Ask what?– Ask who?– Ask why?– Ask how?

Where? and when? questions give you a very limited answer.

Example Heading:

Language Symbolizes Reality

Ask: What does it mean to say language

symbolizes reality? How does the nature of language affect

our verbal messages? Why does language symbolize reality?

Why Question

Stay focused Gives purpose Creates interest

Step Three -- Read Never study read without a highlighter and pencil in your

hand.

Read to answer your guide questions for each section and subsection. Rereading is common. Read every word.

Underline and/or highlight. Be selective.

Underline/highlight only the words and phrases you need. When you go back and reread your underlining or highlighting, the text should have meaning.

Read (continued)

Make notes in the margins.

Mark important text items such as dates, names, concepts, and key points. Use circles, stars, arrows, numbers.

Your goal is to read the chapter thoroughly only once.

Why Read

To gain information To prepare for lecture To prepare for discussion To prepare for tests

Vary Your Reading Rate

Adjust the speed with which you read!– Don’t be afraid to SLOW DOWN if the

text becomes difficult

Reading Rates include:• Scanning

• Skimming

• Study Reading

• Close or Analytical Reading

Step Four -- Recite

Put it in your own words Write a summary or create an outline Write notes (in book or on paper) Create 3x5 (or 4x6) cards

To recite means to say something out loud. After each section, stop and test your

comprehension Recite the answers to your guide questions Write out your own answers

Why Recite?

Improves concentration Helps you remember the

material

When to Recite? Immediately after

reading each section

Review – after reading

Look at the headings and see what you can remember about each one

Skim over your underlined/highligthed words

Add margin notes and markings Before tests

– MAKE AN INFORMAL OUTLINE! (See page 19 in RFR for an example)

Highlighting/Underlining

Be selective Highlight/underline key points Highlight/underline just enough to use as

review

According to procrastination expert Neil Fiore, Ph.D., fear of failure is the main reason why people postpone the inevitable. Thus, procrastinators delay because of their anxiety about not having the required skills, or knowledge to complete the task at hand. They would rather fail to try rather than be exposed as stupid or incapable.

Writing in the margins

Summarize key points Compare opposing points of view Cite your own personal experience Jot down potential test questions.

The first is Broca’s area, located in the left frontal region near the motor cortex. Patients who have damage in this area …etc. Wernicke’s area, is in the temporal region of the left hemisphere … etc.

Broca’s area – located in left frontal region.Wernicke’s area –

located in temporal region.

Strategies for remembering new words

Circle new words in the book(s) you are reading Write the word in your Vocabulary Journal (and

look up the meaning) Create a visual image of the word

– Monarchy means “rule by one person”– Imagine someone wearing a crown & sitting on a

throne Incorporate the new words into your emails or

conversations USE IT OR LOSE IT!