Textbook Reading

1
Textbook Reading
Presented by Chris Kardol, M.S.W Learning
Consultant Study Skills Program
Wilfrid Laurier University Counselling Services
2
Workshop Outline

• Reading Self-Assessment
• Introduction
• Organizational Tips
• Active Reading
• PQ3R (Preview, Question, Read, Reflect, Review)
• Review Questions

3
Reading Self-Assessment

• Check each statement that applies to you
• Im unsure of how to approach textbook reading.
• I find it difficult to keep my mind on what Im
  reading.
• I get sleepy and lose concentration after 10
  minutes or so, because Im so bored.
• I rarely remember what Ive read.

4
Self-assessment contd

• I often have to go back over words or
  paragraphs Ive just read.
• I try to read whole textbook chapters without
  taking a break.
• I find it hard to decide which are the main
  ideas in textbook chapters so I try to read
  everything.
• Im often completely overwhelmed with how much
  reading Im responsible for.

5
You are not alone

• If youve checked all or most of these statements
  you are not alone. Many students experience these
  reading challenges. This workshop is designed to
  help you find new ways to handle these
  challenges.

6
Read to learn

• In this presentation you will learn how to read
  your textbook in such a way that you are
  maximizing your study time. Doesnt this sound
  more promising than simply seeing the words but
  your mind being a million miles away?

7
One step at a time

• This presentation contains a lot of information.
  In the same way you would read your text, you
  might choose to read a section at a time in order
  to digest the information.
• Dont try to take on too many changes at once.
  Rather, choose one or two ideas that appeal to
  you and try these out. When you feel successful
  with these, try others.

8
Reading Challenges in University

• texts are loaded with many facts and ideas
• unfamiliar and specialized technical
  terminology
• many abstract rather than concrete ideas
• time constraints due to multiple demands

9
Organizational Tips

• First lets look at eight general strategies to
  help you get organized and make the most of the
  time you have to read.
• Remember, everyone learns differently so its up
  to you to decide which strategies might work for
  you.

10

• Know your on times. What time of the day do
  you have the most energy and ability to focus?
  Do the majority of reading during this time.
• Break down your reading task. Divide the chapter
  into readable chunks. A forty-page chapter is
  probably best read in four chunks of ten pages
  each.

11

• Set reading goals. Prioritize, and then plan
  which reading assignments to complete first. Be
  flexible with your time based on the level of
  difficulty.
• Find your ideal environment. Find a place where
  you can concentrate without distractions, e.g.,
  roommates, internet, telephone.

12

• Take breaks. Your concentration and comprehension
  will improve if you read for about 30-minute
  chunks with short breaks in between.
• Read the chapter before the lecture. This will
  help you build background on the topic and take
  better notes.

13

• Monitor your comprehension. Stop to check your
  understanding of the material at regular
  intervals. If you dont get it, reread it.
• Have a dictionary or thesaurus handy to look up
  the meaning of unfamiliar terms. Write out a list
  of commonly used terms that you can refer to.

14
Q. What exactly is Active Reading? A.
Active reading involves a series of steps that
has the reader become involved with the text. The
goal is to really grasp what is written and to
understand and learn from the text.
Active Reading
15
Active Reading

• Q. Why read actively when it seems to require
  more time and effort?
• A. It will take longer but there is a payoff.
  This time and effort sets the stage for greater
  understanding and learning. This gives you a
  significant advantage in being prepared for your
  exams and reduces the need to cram.

16
Many active reading methods have been devised
but they are all similar. Presented here is one
method called PQ3R ( Preview, Question, Read,
Reflect and Review). Each of these steps will be
described but its up to you to decide which of
these to use.
17
PQ3R Preview

• This step takes little time and effort up to
  five minutes. The purpose is to
• familiarize yourself with the material
• build background and interest
• notice key information

18
PQ3R Preview

• Read chapter title, think about what the chapter
  might contain and what you already know.
• Read introduction, look at headings and
  subheadings, glance at pictures, charts and
  graphs these emphasize main points.
• Read chapter summary, briefly look at the
  end-of-chapter questions.

19
Try It

• preview a chapter
• write down any information that you picked up
  about the chapter
• read entire chapter
• note how the preview affected your ability to
  read the chapter

20
PQ3R Question

• The purpose is to generate questions about what
  you are about to read.
• This step helps you anticipate whats ahead and
  to predict and pay attention to key points.

21
PQ3R Question

• Turn the headings of each section into questions.
  
• Example PROTEINS What are proteins? Why are
  proteins important? How are proteins used?
• Jot these questions in the margins or take notes.
• As you are reading, look for answers to these
  questions.

22
PQ3R Question

• you can use questions at the end of the chapter
  for ideas
• formulating questions forces you to think about
  what you are about to read and pay attention to
  the main points

23
PQ3R Read

• Break your reading into sections, ensuring that
  you understand what youve read before moving on.
  
• The length of the section will depend on the
  degree of difficulty of the text
• (a rough guideline is several paragraphs to 10
  pages).

24
PQ3R Read

• Read section by section, picking out main ideas
  and supporting details. Adjust your reading speed
  to the level of difficulty.
• Make associations with your general knowledge and
  with other course information.

25
PQ3R Read

• Rephrase a section in your own words
• Ask yourself what was that about? or what are
  the main ideas here?
• Paraphrasing achieves two important goals
• you are monitoring your understanding of the
  information
• you are putting the information into long-term
  memory

26
PQ3R Read

• Record key ideas so you dont have to reread the
  chapter later. Here are four methods
• Add key words and/or brief notes in the margin.
  Structure this information into a meaningful
  framework that connects ideas and topics.
• Underline and/or highlight. Read first, then go
  back to highlight main ideas. Avoid excessive
  highlighting.

27
PQ3R Read

• Make summary notes. Put these in your own
  words. Read a full page before summarizing to
  help you avoid taking too many notes.
• Use diagrams or concept maps to illustrate main
  ideas and relationships between them. Especially
  effective for visual learners (refer to the VARK
  Questionaire study skills handout on learning
  styles).

28
PQ3R Reflect

• The purpose of reflecting is to think about what
  you are reading. This involves questioning,
  analyzing and evaluating ideas and concepts. This
  is why critical thinking is a useful skill to
  develop. For further information refer to the
  study skills handout critical thinking.
• Make associations to what you already know by
  creating images and examples to solidify
  understanding.

29
PQ3R Review

• The purpose of a review
• To ensure understanding of the material and to
  begin storing the information into long-term
  memory.
• To save time when preparing for exams due to
  greater familiarity with the material.

30
PQ3R Review

• Summarize key points. Write down approximately
  three important points from each section.
• Recall Information. Using the headings as a
  guide, cover the preceding text and try to recall
  what you have read.
• Test yourself with the questions at the end of
  the chapter or predict questions that might
  appear on a test.

31
Review Questions

• You are invited to take this review quiz to test
  how much information you picked up in this
  presentation. The answers can be found in the
  presentation in the order in which they are
  asked.

32
Review Questions

• Identify one way to get yourself organized to
  read.
• Approximately how long might you read before
  taking a short break?
• Is it better to read the chapter before or after
  the lecture?
• What is Active Reading?
• What is the purpose of doing a preview?

33
Review Questions

• Identify one way to record ideas while reading.
• Is it better to highlight while you are reading
  for the first time or to go back and highlight
  after you have read?
• Name one review strategy.
• What does the Q stand for in PQ3R? What does the
  first R stand for?
• Which topic/handout might you refer to get ideas
  on how to think/reflect on what you are reading?

34
For additional information on reading
strategies please refer to the handouts that can
be printed from our website. You can also book a
study skills appointment to discuss any of the
strategies covered here or to discuss other study
skills areas you are concerned about.
More tools...
35
Where to Find Us
We are located in the Student Services Bldg.,
across the hall from Health Services. Our
telephone number is 884-0710 ext. 2338.