Survey, Question, Read and Recite

By The Learning Center
February 06, 2012

SURVEY

QUESTION

READ

RECITE
 

Francis Pleasant Robinson introduced the basis for the SQ3R reading method in Effective Study (1946). Although this method is over sixty-years old, it is still an effective strategy to use with textbook readings.

The key to the effectiveness of any reading strategy, however, is YOU. Adapting the strategy to meet your needs, your strengths, and your reading assignments is a hallmark of a critical thinker and reader. Happy reading!

Survey

Before diving into your reading, take a moment to preview the chapter. Look at headings, pictures, images, charts, bolded and italicized words. What are the big ideas of each section? What is the focus and point of the chapter?

Question

 Don't start reading yet. Ask yourself three key questions:

What am I familiar with?

What seems familiar to me?

What is am I not familiar with?

Once you have answered these questions, consider why the instructor assigned the reading at this point in the semester.

Read

Now, actively engage with the text. To keep yourself on task make each section heading a question that you must answer by reading the text.

Recite

To make sure you have comprehended everything, can you put the main ideas of each section in your own words? Say your ideas out loud. You need to interact with information in at least five different ways for it to become part of your long-term memory. By actively reading, paraphrasing, and saying it out loud, you only have two more to go!

Review

To test your long-term memory and understanding of the material, quiz yourself. Can you easily state and explain the big ideas, focus, and point of each section and the whole chapter?

Review the familiar, seems familiar and not familiar questions.

Are these concepts more than familiar now?

This Academic Success Tip of the week is provided by the Learning Center. If you have additional questions or would like more information regarding tutoring services for the Main Campus, please feel free to call us at (610) 861-5517 or the Monroe Campus at (570) 688-4197).