subject: A Strategy for Reading Textbooks [print this page] A Strategy for Reading Textbooks A Strategy for Reading Textbooks
SQRW is a four-step strategy for reading, interpreting and writing down notes from chapters in a textbook. Each letter stands to execute one step in the strategy. Applying SQRW will aid you to understand what you read and to develop a written record of what you studied. The written record will be worthy when you have to participate in class lectures and again when you study for a test. Read to learn what to do for every step in SQRW.
Survey
Surveying stimulates the mind what you already cognize about the topic of a chapter and trains you for learning more. To examine a chapter, read the title, introduction, headings, and the summary or conclusion. Also, try to analyze all visuals such as pictures, tables, maps, and/or graphs and read the caption that goes with each. By surveying a chapter, you will easily learn what the chapter is about.
Question
You must have a question in your mind or an object as you read. A question provides you a purpose for reading and helps you concentrate on the reading assignment. Organize questions by switching through each chapter leading into a question. The words who, what, when, where, why, or how are used to form questions. For example, for the heading "Uses of water" in a chapter about how science improves lives, you might form the question "What are the uses of water?" If a heading is verbalized as a question, use that question. When a heading contains more than one idea, organize or create a question for each idea. Do not build questions for the Introduction, Summary, or Conclusion.
Read
Read the information that follows each heading to search the answer to each question you created. As you perform this, you may determine you need to switch the question or turn it into several questions to be answered. Remain focused and flexible so you can collect as much information as you need to answer each question.
Write
Write and composeeach question and its answer in your notes. Read again each of your written answers to be sure that each answer is readable and carries all the important information needed to answer the question.
As you practice using SQRW, you will know and you learn more and have better study notes to use to prepare for class participation and tests.
HINT: Once you finish the Survey step for the entire chapter, complete the Question, Read, and Write steps for the beginning of the heading. Then complete and finish the Question, Read, and Write steps for the second heading, and so on for the remaining headings in the chapter.
Reading Your Textbooks Effectively and Efficiently
Many students notice that there is more important than reading in college than there was in high school. Students frequently mention that they don't have sufficient time to read through all of their assignments during the week. However, many students have bad habits to reading myths. This is created to help you understand reading as an activity and help you become a more efficient and effective reader.
READING MYTHS
Some common reading myths:
o Read every word.
o One reading is sufficient.
o Don't skip passages.
o Machines improve speed.
o A faster rate means less comprehension.
The Reading Cycle
PLAN
Pre-Reading Strategies
DO
Reading Strategies
REVIEW
Post-Reading Strategies
STEPS OF THE READING CYCLE
PLAN: Pre-Reading Strategies
Set up a good physical environment.
Loosen up, relax and set a positive attitude.
Analyze instructions.
Study lecture notes.
Place your purpose.
Preview the assignment.
Organize your thoughts.
Determine what you want to know when you finish reading.
DO: Reading Strategies
Be actively involved.
Check your comprehension as you read.
Restate ideas in your own words.
Form mental pictures.
Compare what you are reading to what you know.
Answer the questions you developed during pre-reading.
Fix-up your comprehension when needed.
Define unfamiliar words.
Keep the problem on hold and hope it will clarify itself.
