1. Using the SQ4R Method to Read
Textbook Reading
Lecture 3
Using the SQ4R Method to Read
Effectively

2. The SQ4R Method (sometimes known
As the SQ3R Method)
Survey the chapter first.
means to look through
good warm-up activity
to help you focus & prepare S
increases your motivation,
interest, & confidence
helps you set goals & manage
time
stimulates learning process by
laying foundation for grasping
information

3. Q Question Make a question for each heading or subheading in
the chapter. (Write it next to
each heading in the book.) Q
Ex. Chapter Heading--
“The Causes of the Civil War”
So, how could you turn the above
heading into a study question?
What were the causes of the
Civil War?

4. Questions give you a purpose for reading & help you concentrate
How does writing
questions help me
learn better?
Questions give you a purpose
for reading & help you
concentrate
Questions also prepare you for
future tests…you can study for
a test by answering your own
questions!

5. The 4 R’s of the SQ4R Method:
Read
Record
Recite
Review

6. R Read…very carefully. Read paragraphs one at
a time, pausing to ask yourself
what you just read. R
Careful reading keeps you focused
for better comprehension.
Careful reading gives your memory
time to process new info. before
you start taking in more info.
Careful reading promotes critical
thinking…an essential skill for
college students.

7. R Record information. *After careful reading,
next step is to write down
important info. R
*5 Basic Choices for Note Taking
Styles:
1.underlining or highlighting
2.writing notes in textbook margin
3.using Cornell System on separate
paper
4.using mind maps
5.making notes on flashcards

8. Gives you shortened form of information you need to learn
Why is the recording
step so important?!!
Gives you shortened form of information
you need to learn
When you write, you are actively
involved in the learning process.
Writing also involves fine motor skills,
which sets up another channel into your
memory system.

9. R Recite…What does recite exactly mean? It means repeatedly saying new
facts & concepts OUT LOUD until
you know them thoroughly.
In other words, you can easily
answer the questions you created
from the chapter headings of the
text…
without looking at your notes! R

10. R Review…What does it mean to review? In a nutshell, “review” just
means to study. R
When you review, you put info.
into long-term memory, so you
can retrieve it when needed.
Ongoing review keeps info. fresh
in your memory.
It also allows you to add &
associate new info. with old info.

11. Wayne Merlman couldn’t find a highlighter,
so he used a black magic marker to cross
out all the stuff he didn’t want to read
again.
McPherson