WHY? If you give
your mind a general framework of main ideas and structure, you
will be better able to comprehend and retain the details you will
read later.
HOW?
1. Look quickly (10 min.) over the following key parts of
your textbook to see what it’s all about and how it’s
organized:
Title
Front & back cover information
Biographical Data
Publication date
Table of contents
Introduction or Preface
Index
Glossary
2. Before you read each chapter, look over:
Title
Introduction
Sub-headings
First sentences of each paragraph
Diagrams, charts, etc.
Conclusions, summaries
3. Then answer the following questions:
What is this mainly about?
How is it organized?
How difficult is it?
About how long will it take to read? |
WHY? Being an active
reader will involve you in understanding the material, combat boredom,
and will increase retention.
HOW?
1. Set realistic time goals and number of pages to be
read.
2. Divide the chapter into small sections rather than
trying to read the whole chapter non-stop.
3. Ask yourself a question before each paragraph or section,
then seek its answer. This will give you a definite purpose for
your reading. Try inverting the sub-heading or first sentence
into a question form, using "who", "what", "when", or "how" if
necessary.
4. Take breaks when you feel unable to stay with the material
due to day-dreaming, drowsiness, boredom, hunger, etc. After a
short break, you can return to your reading with more energy and
alertness. |
WHY? Research shows
that 40-50% of the material we read is forgotten very shortly (about
15 minutes) after we read it. Immediately recall is an essential
first step toward continued retention of the material.
HOW? After reading each small section of material, choose one
(or more) of the following methods.
1. Recall mentally or recite orally the highlights of
what you have read.
2. Ask yourself questions (maybe the same ones you used
before you read the section) and answer them in your own words.
3. Underline and make marginal notes of the key words
and phrases in the section. Underline after you read is the best
way to decide what’s the most important information to
remember.
4. Make separate notes or outlines of what you have read.
This technique often works for more technical material which
you need to put into your own words.
5. Recall with a friend. What you don’t recall,
they might. |
