How to Read a Textbook

 SQ3R refers to a recommended method for effective textbook reading.  The letters and number stand for:  Survey  Question  Read  Recite  Review

 When you first purchase a textbook for a course, survey the book immediately.  Read the Table of Contents.  Glance through the back matter, e.g., glossaries and index.  Look at the chapter titles and subtitles.  This is the first step in becoming familiar with what your are about to learn.  If some of the material is already familiar, you will be activating your prior knowledge on this subject, which will make subsequent learning easier.

 When you are assigned a chapter to read in your textbook, first survey that chapter.  Read the title and introductory paragraph.  Read all subtitles.  Look at all graphs, illustrations, photos, and charts.  Pay attention to all words in bold or italics.  Read the summary at the end if one is included.  Read over the questions at the end of the chapter if they are provided.

 The next step is to create questions to guide your reading.  Turn all headings and subheadings into questions.  Record the questions in your notebook.

 As you read, answer the questions you have created and record the answers in your notebook.  This will guide you in finding and making note of the main ideas presented in the textbook chapter.

 Once you have completed the chapter and recording all questions and answers, it is now time to memorize the answers to your questions.  Recite the answer to each question either out loud or silently until each answer is committed to memory

 The final step in this process is to review what you have learned.  Look at each question and cover up the answer with a sheet of paper.  Try to answer the question. If you have done so successfully, move on to the next question.  If you find that you have not yet memorized a particular answer, recite the answer again until you do so.

 In addition to reciting material you need to memorize, you may use other techniques to commit material to memory.  Make associations of unfamiliar information to familiar information.  Create mnemonics to memorize facts. For example, HOMES is a mnemonic for the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior.