The SQ3R Reading and Studying Method

1
The SQ3R Reading and Studying Method

• Welcome to the SQ3R Reading and Studying
  Workshop, presented by
• the Viterbo University Academic Resource Center.
  If you have additional questions after viewing
  the workshop, please contact us at 332 Murphy
  Center, 608-796-3195. Additional audio not
  appearing during this show can be read in the
  PowerPoint work space.

2
Purpose

• To present the SQ3R technique as a tool for more
  effectively studying and interacting with college
  reading material.
• Use
• SQ3R is primarily intended for textbooksthose
  with
• bold and italicized words
• headings
• visual aids (i.e., tables, graphs,
  illustrations)
• various colors of print and background

3
Steps in SQ3R

• S Survey
• Q Question
• R1 Read
• R2 Recite
• R3 Review

4
Changing Reading Habits

• If You Keep Doing What Youve Been Doing, Youll
  Keep Getting What Youve Been Getting.
• Consider how you have performed academically up
  to this point. If you are not completely
  satisfied with your performance, perhaps its
  time to make changes.
• It takes 2-3 weeks to start a new habit. Trying
  some of the suggestions in this workshop may not
  feel comfortable right away. Give new strategies
  some time before giving up.
•  
• Perhaps try these strategies in one subject
  first. Working in small steps is often less
  frustrating than trying to make changes across
  all courses.

5
Reading with the Mind

• In a reading process, you read with your brain,
  not merely your eyes. The brain has to work when
  reading. The goal should be to drain the brain
  as slowly as possible so that you can function at
  a higher level throughout a study session.
• Be strategic, thinking readers. Dont just open
  a book and read on autopilot. Attack reading,
  interact with it, think about how to approach it,
  even make adjustments while reading, all in an
  effort to have a better quality reading session.
•  
• Being an active and thinking reader will ensure
  that you remember material more deeply than if
  you are simply opening a book and passively
  reading word after word with no strategy in mind.
  

6
SQ3R Opening Comments

• One does not need to follow each section in
  chronological order first survey, then
  question, then read, etc. Rather you may
  utilize these parts as needed.
•  
• In fact, many readers only use parts of the SQ3R
  method. Feel free to individualize parts of the
  technique to fit your learning style.
•  
• Each part of the method also works at different
  phases of the reading process (before, during,
  and after).
•  
• All or parts of this method can also be used in
  conjunction with other reading and studying
  methods.

7
Surveying Before reading a page or selection of
pages

• Surveying is briefly skimming each page or a
  selection of pages before reading for depth.
  Look for headings, bold words, visuals,
  illustrations, anything that stands out.
• In surveying youre being an active reader,
  rather than passive. Reading passively leads to
  boredom and poorer concentration.
•   
• Important information may rest deeper in your
  mind since you previewed it before reading for
  depth.
• Some readers use their finger or a pen to guide
  their eyes as they read. This can help them keep
  their place on the page.
• For a video demonstration of surveying, click on
  this link
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vT4hXp3AfTe4

8
Individualize Surveying

• Some students begin with surveying. They then
  switch to eliminating it and simply reading
  straight through. Some do the opposite. Either
  option works as an active reading strategy.
•  
• Switching strategies in a reading process can
  help the mind continue to be ACTIVE and can
  prevent boredom and poor concentration.
•  
• Some students may only survey in pockets of time,
  as needed.

9
QuestionBefore and during reading

• Turn headings into questions (using prompts like
  What, Why, and How?). This helps keep the
  mind active.
• Ask yourself, "What did my instructor say about
  this chapter or subject when it was assigned?"
• Ask yourself, "What do I already know about this
  subject?"
• If given questions/objectives to consider, view
  them first, then read to answer them. This is
  reading with a purpose, reading more actively. It
  is a more active way to read than reading
  straight through with no idea about more
  important aspects of a chapter.

10
R1

• Section Read
• Break Read
• Fresh Read
• When you section read, you take breaks and you
  break reading into sections.
• This is done to make sure your brain is as fresh
  as possible when you do read. Remember, we read
  with our brains. If your brain is tired or
  bored, you will read more slowly and comprehend
  less well.

11
R1 Work Smarter Tips

•   While reality often dictates otherwise,
  students should try to study when their minds are
  most alert and fresh. If youre tired and
  distracted, youre working harder to comprehend
  material less well.
• Some valuable work smart tips are attached to
  the notes portion of this slide. They are meant
  to keep your mind more fresh, draining your
  energy more efficiently, so it works at a higher
  level for a longer period of time.
• To see the notes in larger print for this
  PowerPoint,choose Notes Pages as the method of
  printing.

12
R2 Recite R3 Review

• R2 and R3 are very similar in purpose
• Reviewing (R3) is essentially an overarching term
  for what students do after reading a
  chapterwhether immediately after or days/weeks
  after.
• Reciting (R2) is merely one of the tools that can
  be used during the reviewing process. 
•  
• Reviewing after reading can take a number of
  forms, such as
• Creating review sheets from notes/readings.
  Cornell Notes are one example. Students write
  questions in order to quiz themselves.  They then
  ask the questions. If they cannot state the
  answers without looking at the information, they
  may not know the information well enough.
• Reviewing with a partner/group, or getting
  tutoring if available on campus.
• Listening to recorded lectures.

13
Thank You

• Thank you for taking the time to view this
  workshop. We hope you found the information
  useful. If you have any comments or suggestions
  please call 608-796-3195 or email
  ajmoore_at_viterbo.edu.