SQ4R Reading Improvement Method

Have you ever heard of SQ4R? This is readingyou will just end up with pretty stripes of color.
technique that will strengthen your ability toMaking side notes on your page is much more
remember what you read!effective than a long colorful stripe of yellow or
• S = Survey the materialpink.
You need to begin your chapter with a brief• R= Recite
survey of the contents. Look at the bold print,Studying aloud is the most effective way to learn
read the headings, check out the pictures andthe material. At this stage of the reading process,
captions. You should then move through theyou should be reciting information aloud to
chapter one page at a time until you get to theyourself as you read the text. Hearing the words
end of the chapter with the summary, reviewaloud reinforces the information into the auditory
questions, and list of terminology found in mostcognition center of the brain, so you are actually
text books. Take a moment to look over thoseputting in the information in both a visual and
parts of the chapter. Read the summary, checkauditory manner at the same time.
out the questions and ask yourself if you know• R= Review
any of the answers already, and make a note byAt this time, you need to consider how you are
any terms you might already know.going to review the material you just read.
• Q= QuestionPerhaps you can look at the side notes in the
Go back through the text and begin to asktext. Review any notes you made on paper as
yourself some questions about the material. Usewell. Look at the questions and terms at this time
the standard - who, what, when, where, why -and figure out which information you still need to
questions as you are surveying the text. Youlearn more completely.
don't need to answer the questions yet, just• R= Reflect
keep a list handy to use as a reference while youSome reading techniques also suggest you reflect
are reading.back on what you just read. This is a final chance
• R= Readto determine what information you are still unsure
This is the time you actually begin to read theabout in the text and which questions you should
text of the chapter. You should always read withask your instructor.
a pen in your hand, but keep a highlighter closeThese steps will take you closer to becoming a
by. Be careful not to highlight too excessively orgood reader!