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(Bland 2011)
The SQ3R method is a reading and studying scaffold.
Research indicates that it is an extremely effective method for both comprehension and memory retention.
It’s effective because it is a system of ACTIVE reader involvement.
SQ3R is an acronym that stands for the five steps that you should use when reading something that you want to remember.
These five steps are:
Research indicates that it is an extremely effective method for both comprehension and memory retention.
It’s effective because it is a system of ACTIVE reader involvement.
SQ3R is an acronym that stands for the five steps that you should use when reading something that you want to remember.
These five steps are:
- Survey.
- Question.
- Read.
- Recall.
- Review.
By following these steps, you ensure that you:
- read the most appropriate document
- study the right parts of that document in the right level of detail
- break down and analyse the information
- integrate new knowledge with existing knowledge
- fix information in your long term memory
- read the most appropriate document
- study the right parts of that document in the right level of detail
- break down and analyse the information
- integrate new knowledge with existing knowledge
- fix information in your long term memory
Photo 105451047 © Cynoclub - Dreamstime.com
Step 1: Survey - Start by skimming and scanning through the material you've identified, to decide if it will be useful and to get an overview of the topic.
- For a book, scan the contents, introduction, chapter introductions, chapter summaries, images, diagrams, maps, graphs, and charts to pick up an overview of the text.
- For a website, look at the "breadcrumbs" which indicate the relative location of pages within the site. (If breadcrumbs or contents are used, they're usually at the top of the page.) Also use the menus or the site map to see where the article sits within the overall structure of the site.
- Then, look at typographical elements of the text, such as italics, bold words, subheadings, and boxed text. These often point to words or ideas that are important.
- Lastly, explore any images, maps, diagrams etc. that are embedded in the text.
Use these clues to decide whether this text will give you the information you're looking for. If it doesn't meet your needs, look for a different information source.
Step 2: Question - Now note down any questions that you may have about the subject. These could be the questions that led you to read it in the first place or ones that you thought of during your survey. If reading information for an assessment task for school, your questions will likely be the ones you need to address to successfully complete the task.
- Also, think about what else you want to achieve from this reading. What do you need to find out from this material? What are you most interested in learning? And how will this information help you?
- When you question the material, you engage your mind and prepare it for learning. You're far more likely to retain information when you're actively looking for it.
Step 3: Read - Now read the document, one section at a time. Make a note of anything that you don't understand – you can use these notes later on, when you explore related materials.
- You may find that this read-through takes more time than you expect, especially if the information is dense or complex.
- Keep yourself focused by turning every subheading or chapter title into a question that you must answer before you move on. For example, you could turn the subtitle, "The Causes of Climate Change" into the question, "What are the causes of Climate Change?" and run through the answer in your mind before you move onto the next part of the text.
Tip: While you're reading, use Mind Maps or Cornell Note taking to take notes on important concepts, and to record your reactions to what you're reading. Alternatively (and if you own the book or document) you can "read actively" by underlining important passages, using a highlighter pen to show key points (and only the key points) or writing key words in the margin.
- Remember to record the bibliographic details of the information source for referencing purposes and keep this with your notes.
- Paraphrasing skills are also essential if you want to put the information into your own words to avoid plagiarism.
Step 4: Recall - Once you've read the appropriate sections of the document, run through it in your mind several times. Identify the important points, and then work out how other information fits around them. Again using a mind map here may help.
- Then, go back to your questions from Step 2, and try to answer them from memory. Only turn back to the text if you're unable to answer a question this way.
Step 5: Review - Once you can recall the information, you can start to review it.
- First, reread the document or your notes. This is especially important if you don't feel confident that you've understood all of the information.
- Create a mind map of all the important points and how they relate to one another.
- Discuss the material with someone else – this is a highly effective method of reviewing information. Explain what you have just learned as comprehensively as you can, and do your best to put the information into a context that's meaningful for your team, organisation, or industry.
- Finally, schedule regular reviews of the material to keep it fresh in your mind. Do this after a week, after a month, and after several months – this helps to embed the material into your long-term memory.
Tip: If you don't have the chance to discuss your learning face to face, consider keeping a blog or creating fact sheets to outline what you've learned.
Habit
Make using SQ3R a Habit - Applying the approach may feel time-consuming at first. However, the more you use it, the less you'll have to think about the process.
To turn this reading technique into a habit use it each time you need to read something in detail. At first, allow extra time to get into the habit of using the five steps, and look for opportunities to discuss what you've learned with friends, classmates, parents and teachers.
- For a book, scan the contents, introduction, chapter introductions, chapter summaries, images, diagrams, maps, graphs, and charts to pick up an overview of the text.
- For a website, look at the "breadcrumbs" which indicate the relative location of pages within the site. (If breadcrumbs or contents are used, they're usually at the top of the page.) Also use the menus or the site map to see where the article sits within the overall structure of the site.
- Then, look at typographical elements of the text, such as italics, bold words, subheadings, and boxed text. These often point to words or ideas that are important.
- Lastly, explore any images, maps, diagrams etc. that are embedded in the text.
Use these clues to decide whether this text will give you the information you're looking for. If it doesn't meet your needs, look for a different information source.
Step 2: Question - Now note down any questions that you may have about the subject. These could be the questions that led you to read it in the first place or ones that you thought of during your survey. If reading information for an assessment task for school, your questions will likely be the ones you need to address to successfully complete the task.
- Also, think about what else you want to achieve from this reading. What do you need to find out from this material? What are you most interested in learning? And how will this information help you?
- When you question the material, you engage your mind and prepare it for learning. You're far more likely to retain information when you're actively looking for it.
Step 3: Read - Now read the document, one section at a time. Make a note of anything that you don't understand – you can use these notes later on, when you explore related materials.
- You may find that this read-through takes more time than you expect, especially if the information is dense or complex.
- Keep yourself focused by turning every subheading or chapter title into a question that you must answer before you move on. For example, you could turn the subtitle, "The Causes of Climate Change" into the question, "What are the causes of Climate Change?" and run through the answer in your mind before you move onto the next part of the text.
Tip: While you're reading, use Mind Maps or Cornell Note taking to take notes on important concepts, and to record your reactions to what you're reading. Alternatively (and if you own the book or document) you can "read actively" by underlining important passages, using a highlighter pen to show key points (and only the key points) or writing key words in the margin.
- Remember to record the bibliographic details of the information source for referencing purposes and keep this with your notes.
- Paraphrasing skills are also essential if you want to put the information into your own words to avoid plagiarism.
Step 4: Recall - Once you've read the appropriate sections of the document, run through it in your mind several times. Identify the important points, and then work out how other information fits around them. Again using a mind map here may help.
- Then, go back to your questions from Step 2, and try to answer them from memory. Only turn back to the text if you're unable to answer a question this way.
Step 5: Review - Once you can recall the information, you can start to review it.
- First, reread the document or your notes. This is especially important if you don't feel confident that you've understood all of the information.
- Create a mind map of all the important points and how they relate to one another.
- Discuss the material with someone else – this is a highly effective method of reviewing information. Explain what you have just learned as comprehensively as you can, and do your best to put the information into a context that's meaningful for your team, organisation, or industry.
- Finally, schedule regular reviews of the material to keep it fresh in your mind. Do this after a week, after a month, and after several months – this helps to embed the material into your long-term memory.
Tip: If you don't have the chance to discuss your learning face to face, consider keeping a blog or creating fact sheets to outline what you've learned.
Habit
Make using SQ3R a Habit - Applying the approach may feel time-consuming at first. However, the more you use it, the less you'll have to think about the process.
To turn this reading technique into a habit use it each time you need to read something in detail. At first, allow extra time to get into the habit of using the five steps, and look for opportunities to discuss what you've learned with friends, classmates, parents and teachers.
SQ3R Scaffold
| sq3r_scaffold.pdf |
See also: Teaching Comprehension Strategies
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References
Bland, B. (2011). Stop hounding me you big ape! The unlikely friendship between an orangutan and a dog. Daily Mail 22 June 2011. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2006531/Unlikely-friendship-orangutan-dog.html
Everest Online Student Blog. (2013). SQ3R Reading Method. Retrieved from https://everestonline.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/sq3r-reading-method/
Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd. (2014). SQ3R Method for Effective Studying. Retrieved from https://mkclindia.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/sq3r-method-for-effective-studying/
Mind Tools. (2015). SQ3R: Studying More Effectively. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_02.htm
NSW DET. (2010). Teaching Comprehension Strategies. NSW Department of Education. NEALS. Retrieved from
http://163.22.77.147/web/upload/201505251942014.pdf
Study Guides and Strategies. (2012). The SQ3R Reading Method. Retrieved from http://www.studygs.net/texred2.htm
Virginia Tech. (2013). SQ3R - Improving Reading Comprehension. Retrieved from http://www.ucc.vt.edu/academic_support_students/online_study_skills_workshops/SQ3R_improving_reading_comprehension/index.html
Bland, B. (2011). Stop hounding me you big ape! The unlikely friendship between an orangutan and a dog. Daily Mail 22 June 2011. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2006531/Unlikely-friendship-orangutan-dog.html
Everest Online Student Blog. (2013). SQ3R Reading Method. Retrieved from https://everestonline.wordpress.com/2013/08/29/sq3r-reading-method/
Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Ltd. (2014). SQ3R Method for Effective Studying. Retrieved from https://mkclindia.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/sq3r-method-for-effective-studying/
Mind Tools. (2015). SQ3R: Studying More Effectively. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newISS_02.htm
NSW DET. (2010). Teaching Comprehension Strategies. NSW Department of Education. NEALS. Retrieved from
http://163.22.77.147/web/upload/201505251942014.pdf
Study Guides and Strategies. (2012). The SQ3R Reading Method. Retrieved from http://www.studygs.net/texred2.htm
Virginia Tech. (2013). SQ3R - Improving Reading Comprehension. Retrieved from http://www.ucc.vt.edu/academic_support_students/online_study_skills_workshops/SQ3R_improving_reading_comprehension/index.html
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