Video 25.1: Read with a Purpose (https://oer.aupress.ca/oer-202504/27.1)
Read with a Purpose
Now that you’ve thought about your personal reasons for reading textbooks, how can you read them effectively? One of the barriers to reading for many students is the time it takes. So what strategies can help you read more effectively and efficiently?
First, it’s important to know that you can approach a textbook very differently than a novel. You don’t need to read everything in order. You will also pay more attention to some sections and less attention to others. Here’s a process to guide you in your reading. It’s called the SQ3R strategy. What does that stand for?
- • Survey
- • Question
- • Read
- • Recite
- • Review
Let’s talk about each step.
S—The S in SQ3R stands for Survey. This step allows you to get an overview of the chapter as a whole. What will you learn by reading? In this step, you will do the following:
- • read the learning objectives or chapter introduction
- • read the chapter summary and the end (you don’t have to wait until you’re finished with the chapter to read the summary)
- • skim the study questions at the end of the chapter
- • skim the chapter headings and any important diagrams or charts
At the end of this step, you should know how this chapter is organized and what you will learn by reading. You might find it helpful to end this step by making an outline of the chapter on a separate page.
Q—The Q in SQ3R stands for Question. This is a key step in reading for a purpose; you need to know what you hope to learn by reading each part of the chapter. Look at the first chapter heading. Now make up a question that you will answer by reading. Use who, what, where, when, and why questions.
R—The first R stands for Read. You will read to answer the questions you just created. This will help you stay focused on your purpose for reading.
R—The second R stands for Recite. After reading each section, say the answer out loud. Now write this down in your notes. This step helps you summarize the material in your own words, which will support your learning and remembering. Explaining a concept in your own words demonstrates that you understand it.
R—The last R stands for Review. Look at your notes from the whole chapter. Think about how different concepts fit together, and fill in any gaps.
Now that you know the steps in the method, it’s time to think more deeply about how this method supports your learning. You’ll do that by completing the quiz in the next chapter of the resource. The real test will be applying the method to your actual reading—try it out and see how it works for you.