S Q 3 R

Survey

Skim the whole book or relevant chapter to get an overview of the text. This will provide your brain with a frame of reference for the information it will be receiving.

Question

Is this really the information I need? Are there any words, technical terms or phrases that you do not understand? Check unknown meanings at this stage to avoid a break in your concentration when you read the full text.

Read

Read slowly and be aware when your concentration goes. Read in short bursts with frequent short breaks if necessary. Try to visualise what you are reading or close your eyes and picture the layout of the page.

Recall

Stop at the end of each paragraph or page and say out loud, in your own words, what you have just understood from what you have just read. This will help monitor your comprehension of the subject.

Review

Take notes. Note taking is an active form of memory and ensures you make a connection with what you are reading and understanding. If you are working with a paper text you own, you may wish to put notes in pencil. Removable sticky notes can be a useful alternative, for example in a library book which you can't annotate.

• Annotate your text with your own notes
• Label or reference key chapters and pages
• Underline or highlight key words or facts on each page
• Use coloured highlighters to identify the different arguments
• Summarise out loud and then make notes using your own words
• As you find the answers to questions write them down.