FIVE STEPS IN TEXTBOOK STUDY SQ3R

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FIVE STEPS IN TEXTBOOK STUDY (SQ3R)

• Developed by Regina Crews
• Student Support Services Secretary

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Extensive rereading is not nearly as effective
for understanding and retaining information as
this five step study method SQ3R. Read on to
find out more about this study tool.
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Step 1 Survey
Look through (skim) the whole assignment. Read
the title and the headings in boldface print.
Read the Introduction and Summary of the chapter.
Try to get a general idea of the contents of the
whole lesson. Later you can place details into
the framework you have in mind, and you will
understand the whole lesson better.
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Step II Question
Think of the questions that are likely to be
answered in the lesson. Questions at the end of
the chapter frequently provide a guide for this.
Write these questions down when you are first
learning this method of study-reading. Ask your
own questions use who, what, when, where, or
why before the headings to turn them into
questions. In this way, your reading will have
more purpose, and you will remember it more
easily.
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Step III Read (first R in SQ3R)
Read the lesson carefully by sections, but read
selectively. Try to read for answers to specific
questions. Skim (or skip) all obvious repetition.
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Step IV Recite (second R in SQ3R)
At the end of each section check the headings and
your questions. Ask yourself Do I remember
what this section was about? or Can I answer
this question? If you find that you cannot, you
know that you must reread or re-study that
particular section which you did not understand
or have forgotten. Step IV is very important.
Giving yourself an immediate quiz on what you
have just read is the best possible way to
prevent forgetting. Also, writing out answers to
questions made during Step II is very helpful.
Make note cards with items you cannot remember.
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Step V Review (third R in SQ3R)
At the end of an assignment, and also before an
exam, go back to your headings and questions
again and quiz yourself. Reread only those parts
you have forgotten. Go over note cards made in
step IV. If you have followed Steps I-IV
faithfully, you will find that you do not have
too much to re-study.
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Remember these five steps for better
understanding and retaining of information Survey
Question Read Recite Review (SQ3R)
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Thank you for your participation in this
workshop. We hope you found it helpful. Do not
forget to complete an Academic Enrichment
Summary. If you are viewing this workshop via
the internet you may click on the link in the
directions box on the Workshop page and print one
out or e-mail it to rcrews_at_wallace.edu .
Handouts available upon request. EXIT