SQ3R Study Method

for reading

Understanding what you are reading can be difficult.  Many things can get in the way - a learning disability, problems with attention, anxiety, unfamiliarity with vocabulary, distractions from roommates or children, and more.  

Treating the issues and/or receiving accommodations are important aids.  

An equally important help is using learning strategies for reading comprehension.

A proven and well-used learning strategy is the SQ3R Method.  

The SQ3R method is a step-by-step approach to learning and studying from textbooks. 

The SQ3R five steps help make your study time more efficient and effective because it helps you discover the important facts and ideas that are in the textbook.  This helps you learn and remember the information.

BONUS!

An added benefit of using the SQ3R Method is that you may find questions in your textbook and your own questions from SQ3R Step 2 on a test. In addition, as you review your notes and textbook, you may be able to predict test questions and prepare answers.

• S – Skim • Q – Question • R – Read • R – Recite • R – Review

A description of each of the five SQ3R steps is given below.

This method should be used before the class in which the information will be discussed

as part of Note Taking - Step 1: Preparing to Take Notes.

Step 1:  skim

This should take 10-25 minutes, even on the longest chapter. 

The purpose of skimming a chapter is to get a general idea of what kind of information the author gives, how many sections the information is separated into, which information is important, and how much time you will have to spend reading it.  

Move quickly through the pages. Don't read every word, but pay attention to headings, bold and italic type, indenting, bulleted and numbered lists.  Write these in your notes.

Look for key words and phrases, the names of people and places, dates, nouns, and unfamiliar words. Check for a vocabulary list and review questions.  Write them in your notes.

 In general follow these steps: 

Steps in Skimming a Textbook Chapter Step 1. Read the Table of Contents of Chapter Overview – This will tell you the main divisions of ideas in the textbook or chapter. Write them down in your notes. Step 2. Read the main headings in the chapter – Glance through the main headings in each chapter section to see what is included. Read the headings of charts and tables. Briefly put them in your notes. Step 3. Skim the paragraphs - In each section, read the entire first paragraph. Then the first and last sentence only of each following paragraph. For each paragraph, read only the first few words of each sentence or to locate the main idea. Step 4. Look for keywords - Stop and quickly read the sentences containing keywords indicated in boldface or italics. Put the words in your notes. Step 5. When something seems important, stop and read - When you think you have found something significant, stop to read the entire sentence to make sure. Resist the temptation to stop to read details you don't need. If it is important, put it in your notes. Step 6. Check for summaries – Read chapter summaries when provided.

Step 2:  question

Turn each boldfaced heading into a question by using one of the following words: 

who, what, where, when, why, or how.

Allow your mind to be curious before you read the chapter.  

The reason for creating a question out of each heading is to set a purpose for reading the material in more detail. 

When you are reading to find the answer to a specific question, you are reading actively.

Step 3:  read

Actively read the section of the text accompanying the heading for an answer to the question you asked yourself in Step 2 - Question. 

The answer will usually be made up of the main idea(s) of the paragraph(s) and the supporting details. Read the section to find the answer. 

The purpose of reading is to find the answer to any questions that were not answered in class.

Step 4:  recite

Practice What You Are Learning – Putting new information into your own words and connecting it to information you already know is essential in learning. • Recite – Recite the answer to each question to yourself (or to your dog). • Rephrase – Put the answers into your own words, or rephrase the author’s words. • Understand – Make sure that you understand the information. • Recall – Be sure that you can recall the answer, not just recognize the information as correct. • Record – Write the questions in your notebook along with a few key words or phrases or pictures that summarize the answer.

The purpose for doing this is to help you think about and understand what you have read. 

When you rewrite or rephrase what you read, you increase your understand of the topic.

Your comprehension and retention will improve.

Step 5:  re-read

To review, cover the answers to your questions; and ask yourself the questions.

 If you can't answer the question, look at your notes and test yourself again.

When you are sure you know and understand the question and answer, check it off. 

The purpose of reviewing is to help you prepare for the eventual test. 

Remember that very few people read textbooks for pleasure. They read textbooks to acquire information, and to remember and apply it in a testing situation. 

Reviewing helps you remember the information.

Resource

Disability Services

For information about receiving accommodations for a reading disability, contact:

access@pierpont.edu    304-534-7878

This is not required to complete this Module.