The SQ3R Reading Method

The best system I have learned that will help you get the most out of your reading.

Survey! Question! Read! Recite! Review!

Before you read, Survey the chapter:

• the title, headings, and subheadings,
• captions under pictures, charts, graphs or maps,
• review questions or teacher-made study guides,
• introductory and concluding paragraphs,
• summary.
• Write notes on paper, in sequence; then look over the notes to get an over-all idea or picture.

Question while you are surveying:

• turn the title, headings, and/or subheadings into questions,
• read questions at the end of the chapters or after each subheading,
• ask yourself, "What did my instructor say about this chapter when it was assigned?"
• ask yourself, "What do I already know about this subject?"
• write questions out; look over the questions to see the emphasis and direction; then attempt to give plausible answers before further reading.

When you begin to Read:

• look for answers to the questions you first raised;
• answer questions at the beginning or end of chapters or study guides,
• reread captions under pictures, graphs, charts, and maps,
• note all the underlined, italicized, bold printed words or phrases,
• study graphic aids,
• slow down your reading speed for difficult passages,
• stop and reread parts which are not clear,
• read only one section at a time and recite after each section,
• write notes, in your own words, under each question.

Recite after you've read a section:

• ask yourself questions about what you have just read and/or summarize, in your own words, what you read,
• take notes from the text but write the information in your own words,
• underline/highlight important points you have just read,
• use the method of recitation which best suits your particular learning style but remember, the more senses you use the more likely you are to remember what you read.

Review: a continuing process.

Day One
After you have read and recited the entire chapter, write questions for those points you have highlighted/underlined in the margins. If your method of recitation included note taking in the left hand margins of your notebook, write questions for the notes you have taken.

Day Two
Page through the text and/or your notebook to reacquaint yourself with the important points. Cover the right hand column of your text/note-book and orally ask yourself the questions in the left hand margins. Orally recite or write the answers from memory. Make "flash cards" for those questions which give you difficulty. Develop mnemonic devices for material which need to be memorized.

Days Three, Four and Five
Alternate between your flash cards and notes and test yourself (orally or in writing) on the questions you formulated. Make additional flash cards if necessary.

Weekend
Using the text and notebook, make a Table of Contents - list all the topics and sub-topics you need to know from the chapter. From the Table of Contents, make a Study Sheet/ Spatial Map. Recite the information orally and in your own words as you put the Study Sheet/Map together.

Now that you have consolidated all the information you need for that chapter, look over the Sheet/Map periodically so that at test time you will not have to cram.

Thanks to Dr. Robin Eanes of St. Edward's University, Austin, Texas

How to read a difficult book

         Read the title and the first paragraph
         Now decide if you have enough background to begin reading.
        Get a grasp of how the material is organized. If you need more background, get some from another source.

         Look for main ideas
         Look for titles, headings, and subheadings. Pick-out topic sentences. Utilize graphs, charts, and diagrams.

        Look up words
        Look up words whose meanings are important to your understanding of the material.

        Monitor your comprehension
         Periodically stop and ask yourself, "What have I learned?" Connect this to what you already know.

         Reread
         If you are not comprehending an idea, go back and reread. Restate difficult ideas in your own words.

         Read to the end
         Do not get discouraged and stop reading. Ideas can become clearer the more you read.
        When you finish reading, review to see what you have learned, and reread those ideas that are not clear.

        Write while you read
        Underline, make notes, and/or write summaries that help you concentrate while you read.

Taking Effective Notes

1. Why do you need to take notes?
        a. Taking notes aids comprehension and retention.
        b. Many professors will test mainly over topics covered during lecture.
        c. Lecture notes clarify certain items that may not be discussed in the text.
        d. Notes + text = A
2. 5 Things You Should Do Before The Lecture.
   1. Read the text.
   2. Get an overview of main ideas and important concepts.
   3. Understand the definitions of relevant terms.
   4. Highlight information that is unclear to you. Ask questions about this material in class.
   5. Develop questions to ask in class.
3. 10 Essentials of Taking Notes in Class
   1. Listen. Sit near the front of the class.
   2. Be organized. Do not use the same notebook for 3 different classes.
   3. Attend all lectures. If you are sick, borrow and rewrite someone else's notes, do not simply make copies.
   4. Put a heading and a date on your notes for each day.
   5. Try to prepare for each lecture by prereading the material in your text.
   6. Remain focused during the lecture. Do not bring a newspaper to class.
   7. Identify main points. If your professor tells you that something is going to be on the test then highlight it. Pay attention to cues.
   8. Copy everything of the blackboard.
   9. Do not cram everything on one sheet of paper. Use adequate spacing so you may add comments later. Each lecture should begin on a new page. Use margins for questions.
   10. If you miss something, see the professor after class. Make sure your notes are complete after each lecture.
4. 3 Things You Should Do After The Lecture
   1. Go over your notes as soon as possible.
   2. Clear up all misunderstandings by consulting your professor, TA, etc.
   3. Recopy your notes. In doing so reorganize and rephrase your notes to fit your studying habits. Underline and highlight key information.