Reading a Chapter (using SQ3R)

Survey & Question: Before You Read

Survey

• Read the title.
• Read the introduction (or first paragraph).
• Read the summary (or last paragraph).
• Read the headings/subheadings.
• Study all visual material.
• Look at key terms.

Question

• Why?
  • To enhance comprehension.
  • To motivate you; if your only goal is to do a "boring" assignment, you will not learn/remember much.
• How?
  • Turn headings/subheadings into questions.
  • Ask factual (who, what, when, etc.) questions.
  • Also ask interpretive questions (compare/contrast etc.).
• When?
  • As you survey the chapter.
  • You can continue this as you read the chapter.

Read

• Before you read a section, try to answer the questions you have posed, and/or define key terms.
• If necessary, add more questions/important points, and circle key terms.
• Vary your reading rate (range from deep study to skim).
• Your goal: to avoid rereading difficult passages.
  • This slows you down and may increase frustration.
  • Reading the rest of the chapter may clarify it.

Recite

When?

• After reading each section.

Why?

• Helps you to organize and store information.

How?

• Orally:
  • Ask/answer your questions/definitions out loud.
  • Scan to locate answers, if necessary; do not reread.
• In writing:
  • Try mapping for difficult/confusing sections.
  • Make vocabulary/concept cards.

Review

When?

• At least 3 times per week.

Why?

• To further consolidate/associate/reduce.
• To commit to long-term memory.

How?

• Recite from the margins of previous chapters before reading the next one.
• Skip sections you know well.
• Review sessions become shorter and shorter.