The best way to read your articles and textbooks, and get the most out of them, is to use an active reading strategy. Here are some essential techniques in your active reading toolkit:
The SQ3R Method
The SQ3R is an effective reading system that has been successfully used by many students. It consists of the following five steps:
SURVEY: Scan the writing to establish its purpose and get the main ideas.
QUESTION: Develop questions from headings and images to direct your reading and maintain focus.
READ: Search for answers to your questions.
RECITE: Reciting helps to put the information into your long-term memory.
REVIEW: Revisit the material for better understanding and long-term recall.
There is another version of this method called the SQ4R. In this method, the additional R can mean several things you can do to add more power to your study method. Learn more about the topic by checking this SQ4R Resource and the following video.
The P2R Method
PREVIEW: Start with the introduction, scan headings, observe visuals, and read the conclusion to grasp the material's structure.
READ: Now engage with a set portion of the text, typically ten pages, while annotating important details.
REVIEW: After reading ten pages, review the information. Methods can include summarizing main points, reciting key information, self-quizzing, or generating potential exam questions.
The S-RUN System
SURVEY: First, survey the chapter. Read the title and the introduction, as well as all headings, charts, diagrams, and graphs.
READ: Read the section.
UNDERLINE: Underline material that explains the section’s heading.
NOTETAKING: After completing the previous steps, take notes on the material. Summarize the main points of the section
Additional Techniques
Mind/Concept Mapping: If you’re a visual learner, you can’t beat the mind map. This unique method creates a graphic organizer that clearly shows the connections between ideas as they radiate from a central core concept.
Matrices: Matrices are an effective way to organize, categorize, and otherwise learn the relationships between related aspects of a topic. They are essentially tables where topics are listed for each column and common aspects are listed for each row.
References
Van Blerkom, D. L. (2009). College study skills: Becoming a strategic learner. Boston: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning.