How To Read A Textbook

Reading a textbook is probably one of the most difficult course requirements you will face as a college student. Why? Quite simply, most textbooks are boring; their chapters are long, they are filled with facts, and they have no plot to keep you interested. It is up to you to not only read the chapter assigned, but also to understand the main points and concepts and remember these key ideas for subsequent class discussions and exams. How, then, can you maintain concentration and efficiently read the assignment? The SQ4R method of textbook study is an efficient way to read assignments which gives you a focus for your reading and makes your reading multi-sensory. Using a variety of senses makes learning more meaningful and makes facts and ideas easier to remember. SQ4R stands for Survey, Question, Read, Record, Recite, Review.

Survey

Why?

• To get an overview of what you will be studying, e.g. how the chapter is organized, what study aids are included, etc.
• To give a purpose to your reading
• To find out how difficult the material is for you
• To estimate how much time you will need to read the assignment

This last point is very important. Think about how you read an assignment. Do you just sit down and start reading and read straight through until the end? If you do, then you are most probably wasting valuable study time. Your brain can spend only about 45 minutes in concentrated effort before it wants to take a break. That means that any reading done past that point won't be very meaningful. Do you think that this doesn't occur?
Think for a moment about a long car trip you have taken where you were either the principal driver or one of several drivers. Did you ever notice, while you were driving, that you really couldn't remember the last 20 miles or so, that the last time you were really conscious of your activities was about 20 or 25 minutes ago? If this sounds familiar, then you have experienced a "brain break" where your brain was resting while the rest of you functioned normally. The same thing happens when you read and are concentrating. So, while you survey the chapter, decide how far you can get in about 45 minutes, and then plan to take a short break at that point. You should see an improvement in your ability to remember key ideas.

How?

1. Read the chapter title---what does it mean?
2. Read the introduction---what will be covered?
3. Read the main headings and subheadings---how are the chapter's ideas to be presented?
4. Read the summary---what are the chapter's major points?
5. Note any study aids such as graphs, charts, or pictures.
6. Note any important and /or unfamiliar terms---are they in boldfaced or italicized print?

Question

Why?

To establish a purpose for reading

• To help you concentrate

How?

1. Turn chapter titles, major divisions, and subheadings into questions
2. Use questions at end of chapter
3. Use your instructor's study guide or objective sheet
   
   When turning chapter titles and subheadings into questions, be sure that the questions are not just "yes/no" questions. For example, a sociology text may have a chapter entitled "Norms in Society"; it wouldn't be useful to ask, "Are there norms in society?" It would, however, be useful to ask, "What are norms?" "How do norms functions in society?" "What are the different types of norms?" These questions, along with the questions at the end of the chapter or objectives from your instructor, help you decide what material and ideas are really important. Jot these questions down and keep them near you as you read; you'll be reading to find the answer to your questions.

Read

How?

1. In sections. Don't regress.
2. To answer the questions you raised
3. For main ideas
4. The charts, maps, graphs

Record

Why?

Turns reading into a multi-sensory activity

• Helps with memorization
• Makes important points stand out

How?

1. Highlighting or underlining
2. Outlining
3. Note cards
   
   Recording, or taking notes, brings another dimension to your textbook reading. The more senses you bring into your active learning process, the easier time you will have remembering information. So taking notes is an excellent idea. Be careful, though, if you use a highlighter; the whole point of using a highlighter is to make information stand out, and if you highlight too much, nothing will stand out. So, be selective when you highlight. Read a section, then ask yourself what the main point or points were; then highlight those ideas.
   
   Using note cards is an excellent way to take notes. Put an important idea or concept or fact on the front side of the card (one idea only). Then, on the back, write down three or four pieces of information about that fact. Keep doing this for each and every fact. When you are done, you will have an invaluable study tool. You can carry these cards around with you and study them when you have 5 or 10 minutes to kill between classes. You can shuffle them around so you won't be learning information in a rote fashion, or you can learn the information front-to-back or back-to-front. You can even make "known" and "unknown" piles to see what you still have to study.

Recite

Why?

• To improve your memory
• To save time later when studying for exams
• To correct mistaken ideas
• To tell you what you do understand

How?

Orally. Saying things outloud brings still more senses into the learning process. Your ear can pick up things that don't sound quite right; on top of that, if you can't find the right words, you probably don't have as good a grasp of the material as you think you do. So don't be afraid to recite the information you just read and took notes on. If you are worried about somebody thinking you're talking to yourself, go where you can't be heard, like the shower or your car. Or "teach it to the dog." Pets make willing and patient "students", and they'll be glad for the extra attention!

Review

Why?

• To help you remember the key points in the chapter
  

How?

• Read over the main headings, the underlined material, and your notes.

When?

1. IMMEDIATELY after completing the entire reading assignment
2. PERIODICALLY to keep the material fresh in your mind
   
   Initially, using the SQ4R method may take up more of your time; however, since this is probably a new skill for you, it will take practice before you feel totally comfortable with it. And, you are trying to develop a new study habit (old habits die hard), so don't give up when you feel frustrated. As you become more proficient, you will want to make minor modifications to accommodate both your learning style and the type of material you are studying. Once you have experienced increased comprehension, you won't want to use any other method.