By Tabbitha Zepeda RWLC Workshop Fall 2010

Not exactly. Textbooks are filled with specific information intended to guide you through a certain subject. Unlike novels, textbooks develop and change focus with an assumed organization based on when you will be covering a new topic in class. Often times, however, instructors teach textbook chapters out of order. Also, each chapter has additional reading aids to help you study that, while helpful, disrupt the flow of reading from beginning to end. Because of this, there is more to be considered beyond simply reading. Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010

When you begin reading a new textbook, it is best to familiarize yourself with the book as a whole before jumping into chapters. Look at the title page and table of contents. What does the title of the book tell you about the probable subject? Who wrote the book? Did your instructor write it? How are the chapters organized? What are they about? Are they broken into larger units? Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010

Once you’re familiar with the textbook as a whole and are prepared to begin reading, first look over the material. Review the chapter objectives at the beginning of the chapter and the review questions at the end of the chapter. Also, by reading the chapter title, headings, vocabulary that is in bold (known as key terms), and any diagrams or charts, you will get a better sense of the information you are about to cover. Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010

Getting the “lay of the land” early on can help you avoid confusion while you read. For instance, you may not be familiar with one of the key terms. Knowing its definition before you start instead of having to look it up while reading could keep you from disrupting your flow. Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010

In addition to headings and key terms, reading any summaries, introductions, or objectives offered before or after the chapter will make it easier to follow the text. Reading summaries, introductions, and objectives prepares you for what’s to come. Imagine a time you had to do something unpleasant. Did you want to see it coming, or would you rather have been surprised by it? Knowing what you’ll be reading about in advance could make all the difference in your response to the text. Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010

The first time you read any piece of text, whether it is a full chapter or just a certain section, you will first want to focus on finding meaning out of the text. Realizing the purpose of each section is the primary component to understanding and retaining the reading. Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010

If there is any one section that you struggle with, you can adjust your strategy by re-reading the text slower, or making note of the troublesome area so that you can look elsewhere in the text for clarification. Use sticky notes or write in the margin as you read to help you remember your questions. Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010

After you’ve read the section/chapter completely, go back and summarize the main ideas. You can do this in a number of ways: Highlight or underline information that explains the section in one or two sentences. Outline the main points on paper. Write a brief paragraph summarizing the section/chapter as a whole in your own words. NOTE: You can combine these possibilities to fully develop your understanding of the text. Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010

Make sure to go over your notes and summaries frequently, so that you do not forget any important information. Committing a text to memory temporarily is easy, but retaining information long- term is more challenging. The more you review your notes, the more easily the information will come to you, regardless of how long ago you learned it. Tabbitha Zepeda © 2010