Wednesday, July 20, 2005
SQ4R speed reading tips
The SQ4R Method will help you keep studying organized and
efficient. What is SQ4R?.........
Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Record, Review
Step to note with SURVEY.
Browse through the material to get a feel for what you will be
reading. Survey the whole text or at least the chapter.
When you first receive the text, spend about 20 minutes
skimming the entire textbook to acquire an overall
understanding of how the book is organized.
Make sure you.....
1. Read at the title page.
2. Read at the copyright page.
3. Read at the table of contents.
4. Read the preface.
5. Read at the ancillary material (appendix, glossary,
bibliography, and index)
6. Read at any illustrations (including charts, graphs,
and tables)
How to Survey each chapter?
Survey a chapter assignment before you actually read it.
Survey should tell the scope of the content, how different
topics are organized, and what the author's purpose and
point of view are. The chapter survey will also give you
sufficient background information for class notes.
1. Read the chapter title.
2. Read the chapter objectives.
3. Read the chapter summary or review.
4. Read the major headings and subheadings.
5. Read the visual aids.
6. Read the italicized and/or underlined words and
terms.
How to Survey the illustrations?
Our society is visually oriented; authors and publishers are
well aware that effective use of illustrations in textbooks
is more necessary than ever.
Illustrations can replace hundreds of words and convey a
message more dramatically and quickly than a comparable
section of text. Formats range from equations, theorems,
and formulas to tables and graphic illustrations.
What about QUESTION?
Ask questions before, during, and after reading the material
As you survey the material, ask the questions about what you
will be reading and what you will try to answer.
Turn the headings and subheadings into questions.
These questions give you a real reason for reading and will
help you concentrate on the subject you are reading.
Imagine, as you read the textbook, that the author is
speaking directly to you. Question the author statements.
Challenge the ideas presented. Textbooks are not the A final
word, but are a means of actively involving you, the
reader, in the learning process.
Do not passively accept the author is presentation of material;
look at it critically and read with a questioning and searching
attitude. Ask the standard questions:
what, why, and how.
Where should I Read?
Read for the main ideas and organization.
Now you should read actively with these certain questions in
mind and attempt to answer the questions and organize the
material. These answers will be the important facts and
details.
Read everything in a chapter including any of the
visual aids such as picture captions, graphs, charts, etc.
Note any words or phrases that are italicized, underlined,
or in bold print (there=s a reason this material is
highlighted!)
The tendency in reading is to keep going, but
you should stop at the end of each section to see if you
can answer the questions you asked at the start of the
section.
Find the main ideas in each chapter or section. Textbook
authors write as you have been taught to write: they develop
a topic sentence and/or paragraph, substantiate it, and
draw conclusions.
Concentrate on what you are reading. Try to feel the rhythm
of the author's prose (short, snappy sentences or long,
labored explanations) and then "go with the flow." Note
particularly the headings and subheadings; they indicate the
relative importance of each topic.
Study the illustrations. These serve as "pegs" to help you
remember the major points being discussed in the text.
RECITE What?
Summarize aloud what you read
Recite the main ideas, in other words, aloud or to yourself,
after finishing a page. Check the comprehension and make
sure you have the correct information. Do the same for the
major points after reading each section or chapter.
By reciting what you've read, you are able to see how much
information you absorbed, areas you didn't understand and
need to review, and answers to the questions you generated
for yourself. If you cannot answer the questions, go back to
the material and reread.
RECORD
Marking the textbook increases understanding of the material
for the present and for future reference. The process of
selecting and marking requires you to find the main ideas.
Later, when you review the text for exam purposes, you will
find that the textbook markings and highlights enable you
to grasp the essential points without having to read entire
paragraphs and chapters again.
Write down the central points for the chapter or section in
the notebook. Do each assignment before class. This will
prepare you to participate in class discussions which will,
in turn, help you remember the material you have read and
to put it into perspective.
Underline and make marginal notes.
Underlining key words and sentences will make those items
stand out in the mind.
Marginal notes give you the opportunity to question a
statement or position taken by the author as well as making
you select the key words or items you want to remember from
the paragraph.
Summaries enable you to write a brief summation of a section
in other words.
Develop your own system of reading. Use whatever facilitates
your retention of the material and works best for you. You
might use the following: a double underline for main ideas
and a single underline for supporting points; a bracket to
enclose several consecutive lines that are important,
rather than underlining all of them; or a box or circle
around key terms.
Read before you mark. Read a few paragraphs or sections and
then go back over the material and underline those topics
and/or words that you feel are important.
Be selective. Underline only those points that are clearly
essential. You will then have a visible outline of the major
points on a page.
Use other words. Marginal notations and summaries should be
in other language so you can readily recall the original
material as you review. Using the text in this manner
enables you to extract all that the book has to offer you in
a learning situation, now and in the future.
You will be able to use the texts for review in later
courses in the same field or in an allied field, thus
reducing the need to re-read the material.
You will reap the most benefit from reviewing the notes
in the text, rather than being distracted by notes you may find
writtenby some other person in a used text.
Coordinate class notes and textbook notes
Read the textbook material on time and prior to the
corresponding class or lecture if at all possible. You can
then follow the instructor's thought more easily, separate
important points from lesser details, and have class notes
become more meaningful to you.
Develop your own note-taking technique for each class. Many
students use only one side of the paper for class notes,
leaving a 2- or 3-inch margin on the left side of the page
for writing key words and labeling.
Combine the text notes and class notes. Do this by writing
class notes on the right hand page of the notebook and
transferring text notes to the appropriate left hand facing
page. You can then easily review all the information gained
from class and text reading.
REVIEW Is Important!
Review constantly
Reviewing is an essential part of retention. Review the
textbook notes shortly after you have written them and
continue to review them periodically.
Spend a few minutes going over the earlier notes before
beginning a new reading assignment. This will help you keep
the overall picture of the author's development in mind and
will let you place the new material properly within that
arrangement.
Review any and all supplements to the text. These usually
contain quizzes and self tests on material in the text which
will prepare you better for examinations. Constantly review
throughout the course will greatly reduce the time you will
need to spend preparing for exams and will make that time
less stressful ("cramming") and more relaxing
("reviewing").
That all about this SQ4R Speed Read Tips!
Use it, practice it, and it is yours to keep
forever in your mind.
I will be sharing more with you soon.
Cheers
Adnic Lee
Author of 7 Days to Excel At Speed Reading
The SQ4R Method will help you keep studying organized and
efficient. What is SQ4R?.........
Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Record, Review
Step to note with SURVEY.
Browse through the material to get a feel for what you will be
reading. Survey the whole text or at least the chapter.
When you first receive the text, spend about 20 minutes
skimming the entire textbook to acquire an overall
understanding of how the book is organized.
Make sure you.....
1. Read at the title page.
2. Read at the copyright page.
3. Read at the table of contents.
4. Read the preface.
5. Read at the ancillary material (appendix, glossary,
bibliography, and index)
6. Read at any illustrations (including charts, graphs,
and tables)
How to Survey each chapter?
Survey a chapter assignment before you actually read it.
Survey should tell the scope of the content, how different
topics are organized, and what the author's purpose and
point of view are. The chapter survey will also give you
sufficient background information for class notes.
1. Read the chapter title.
2. Read the chapter objectives.
3. Read the chapter summary or review.
4. Read the major headings and subheadings.
5. Read the visual aids.
6. Read the italicized and/or underlined words and
terms.
How to Survey the illustrations?
Our society is visually oriented; authors and publishers are
well aware that effective use of illustrations in textbooks
is more necessary than ever.
Illustrations can replace hundreds of words and convey a
message more dramatically and quickly than a comparable
section of text. Formats range from equations, theorems,
and formulas to tables and graphic illustrations.
What about QUESTION?
Ask questions before, during, and after reading the material
As you survey the material, ask the questions about what you
will be reading and what you will try to answer.
Turn the headings and subheadings into questions.
These questions give you a real reason for reading and will
help you concentrate on the subject you are reading.
Imagine, as you read the textbook, that the author is
speaking directly to you. Question the author statements.
Challenge the ideas presented. Textbooks are not the A final
word, but are a means of actively involving you, the
reader, in the learning process.
Do not passively accept the author is presentation of material;
look at it critically and read with a questioning and searching
attitude. Ask the standard questions:
what, why, and how.
Where should I Read?
Read for the main ideas and organization.
Now you should read actively with these certain questions in
mind and attempt to answer the questions and organize the
material. These answers will be the important facts and
details.
Read everything in a chapter including any of the
visual aids such as picture captions, graphs, charts, etc.
Note any words or phrases that are italicized, underlined,
or in bold print (there=s a reason this material is
highlighted!)
The tendency in reading is to keep going, but
you should stop at the end of each section to see if you
can answer the questions you asked at the start of the
section.
Find the main ideas in each chapter or section. Textbook
authors write as you have been taught to write: they develop
a topic sentence and/or paragraph, substantiate it, and
draw conclusions.
Concentrate on what you are reading. Try to feel the rhythm
of the author's prose (short, snappy sentences or long,
labored explanations) and then "go with the flow." Note
particularly the headings and subheadings; they indicate the
relative importance of each topic.
Study the illustrations. These serve as "pegs" to help you
remember the major points being discussed in the text.
RECITE What?
Summarize aloud what you read
Recite the main ideas, in other words, aloud or to yourself,
after finishing a page. Check the comprehension and make
sure you have the correct information. Do the same for the
major points after reading each section or chapter.
By reciting what you've read, you are able to see how much
information you absorbed, areas you didn't understand and
need to review, and answers to the questions you generated
for yourself. If you cannot answer the questions, go back to
the material and reread.
RECORD
Marking the textbook increases understanding of the material
for the present and for future reference. The process of
selecting and marking requires you to find the main ideas.
Later, when you review the text for exam purposes, you will
find that the textbook markings and highlights enable you
to grasp the essential points without having to read entire
paragraphs and chapters again.
Write down the central points for the chapter or section in
the notebook. Do each assignment before class. This will
prepare you to participate in class discussions which will,
in turn, help you remember the material you have read and
to put it into perspective.
Underline and make marginal notes.
Underlining key words and sentences will make those items
stand out in the mind.
Marginal notes give you the opportunity to question a
statement or position taken by the author as well as making
you select the key words or items you want to remember from
the paragraph.
Summaries enable you to write a brief summation of a section
in other words.
Develop your own system of reading. Use whatever facilitates
your retention of the material and works best for you. You
might use the following: a double underline for main ideas
and a single underline for supporting points; a bracket to
enclose several consecutive lines that are important,
rather than underlining all of them; or a box or circle
around key terms.
Read before you mark. Read a few paragraphs or sections and
then go back over the material and underline those topics
and/or words that you feel are important.
Be selective. Underline only those points that are clearly
essential. You will then have a visible outline of the major
points on a page.
Use other words. Marginal notations and summaries should be
in other language so you can readily recall the original
material as you review. Using the text in this manner
enables you to extract all that the book has to offer you in
a learning situation, now and in the future.
You will be able to use the texts for review in later
courses in the same field or in an allied field, thus
reducing the need to re-read the material.
You will reap the most benefit from reviewing the notes
in the text, rather than being distracted by notes you may find
writtenby some other person in a used text.
Coordinate class notes and textbook notes
Read the textbook material on time and prior to the
corresponding class or lecture if at all possible. You can
then follow the instructor's thought more easily, separate
important points from lesser details, and have class notes
become more meaningful to you.
Develop your own note-taking technique for each class. Many
students use only one side of the paper for class notes,
leaving a 2- or 3-inch margin on the left side of the page
for writing key words and labeling.
Combine the text notes and class notes. Do this by writing
class notes on the right hand page of the notebook and
transferring text notes to the appropriate left hand facing
page. You can then easily review all the information gained
from class and text reading.
REVIEW Is Important!
Review constantly
Reviewing is an essential part of retention. Review the
textbook notes shortly after you have written them and
continue to review them periodically.
Spend a few minutes going over the earlier notes before
beginning a new reading assignment. This will help you keep
the overall picture of the author's development in mind and
will let you place the new material properly within that
arrangement.
Review any and all supplements to the text. These usually
contain quizzes and self tests on material in the text which
will prepare you better for examinations. Constantly review
throughout the course will greatly reduce the time you will
need to spend preparing for exams and will make that time
less stressful ("cramming") and more relaxing
("reviewing").
That all about this SQ4R Speed Read Tips!
Use it, practice it, and it is yours to keep
forever in your mind.
I will be sharing more with you soon.
Cheers
Adnic Lee
Author of 7 Days to Excel At Speed Reading
# posted by Success At Speed Reading @ 2:13 AM 
