SQ3R - Improving Reading Comprehension

Textbooks are often read in the same way that other books are read for pleasure – beginning with the first page of the chapter and reading to the end of the chapter, without stopping. While this method is fine for novels, it is not likely to result in the level of understanding and retention needed for most textbooks and the classes they are assigned to. SQ3R provides a different method of reading textbooks that will most likely enhance understanding and retention of material. It's not a quicker way to read a chapter in a textbook, but it is likely to reduce the amount of time you will need to spend studying the material immediately prior to the test. This result comes from more time being spent actually understanding the chapter while it is initially read. Study time then becomes deepening your understanding of the material.

Reading textbooks and comprehending their information is difficult. If you want further information about reading comprehension, review other sections of Academic Support for Students (Link to Academic Support for Students). If you have been trying to improve your reading comprehension but the strategies you're trying just don't seem to be helping as much as you would like, please contact Cook Counseling Center.

SQ3R is a five-step process:

• Survey
• Question
• Read
• Recite Review

Survey

This step helps you gather the information that is necessary to focus on the chapter and formulate questions for yourself as you read. It’s not necessary to have answers to your questions at this step in the process – answers will come later.

Read the title

This helps your brain begin to focus on the topic of the chapter.

Read the introduction and/or summary

This orients you to how this chapter fits the author’s purposes. It also provides you with an overview of the author’s statement of the most important points.

Read each boldface heading and subheading

This helps you to create a framework for the chapter in your mind before you begin reading. This framework provides a structure for the thoughts and details to come.

Review any graphics

Charts, maps, diagrams, pictures, and other visual aids are there to make a point. Publishers will not include these items in textbooks unless they significantly add to the content of the text.

Review any reading aids in the chapter

This includes italics, chapter objectives, definitions, and study questions at the end of the chapter. These aids are there to help you sort, comprehend, and remember the material.

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 or subject
  when it was assigned?"
• Ask yourself,
  "What do I already know about this subject?"
   Note: If it is helpful to you, write out these questions for consideration.
  This variation is called SQW3R
• 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, etc.
• Note all the underlined, italicized, bold printed words or phrases
• Study graphic aids
• Reduce your speed for difficult passages
• Stop and reread parts which are not clear
• Read only a section at a time and recite after each section

Recite after you've read a section:

• Orally ask yourself questions about what you have just read, or summarize, in your own words, what you read
• Take notes from the text but write the information in your own words
• Underline or highlight important points you've just read
• Reciting:
  The more senses you use the more likely you are to remember what you read Triple strength learning: Seeing, saying, hearing
  Quadruple strength learning: Seeing , saying , hearing, writing!!!