 How many of you know how to drive a car?

 Understanding a written text means extracting

the required information from it as efficiently as
possible.
 We apply different reading strategies when
looking at a noticeboard searching for some
specific information, e.g. to see if there is an
advertisement for a particular type of flat
 It is important to have a plan for reading effectively

 Without a plan, a reader can easily be distracted or may

not focus the right things in the text.

 Always actively involve yourself in the reading process

to understand most effectively.

 The SQ3R method is one way to help you do this.

 How does the SQ3R Method work?

 Survey

 Question

 3 R’s

 Read

 Recite

 Review
 To scan the main parts of the text
 Looking at the title, paragraph heading, introduction
and conclusion
 First lines of each paragraph, extract information
presented in boxes etc
 It gives basic understanding of what the text is about
and helps you know what to expect when you read in
more detail.
 Three kinds of questions are:

 Comprehension questions at the end of each

chapter or at the end of the book.

 Questions assigned by the teacher or in

professional life by some superior.

 Questions that you have in your mind.

 Once you have an idea of what the text is about
and the main points might be, start reading.
 Understand as much as you can
 Take notes as you go
 Make a note of places that you do not
understand, or words that are unclear
 Go through the text second time
 Try to answer the questions.
 Students remember 80% of what they learn if they
repeat the information verbally.
 If they don’t repeat verbally, they often forget 80%.
 Discuss the information with a friend or classmate or
professor
 Summarize the main points and add to your
knowledge
 Look away from the text and try briefly to recite the
answers to your questions.
 Revise your notes a few days or weeks later.
1. Take inventory of what you will be reading.

Think about what you already know about the

subject.

Write some notes on these thoughts.

Look for key words and phrases that may be

in italics in the text you are about to read.

Look for graphs, captions or pictures.

Read the summary of the text if it is

given.
2. See the forest, not the trees

◦ During reading, look for the main ideas and

not for understanding every word.

3. Don’t just read---WRITE

◦ Take notes while reading

◦ Draw pictures or diagrams of the key ideas

for better understanding.

4. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again
oIf possible, read the text more than once.
5. Don’t be afraid to make guesses.
◦ Try to guess at the meaning by looking at
the context.
◦ The sentences and words mentioned
before and after the difficult word can give
an idea about its meaning.
6. Try to analyze the text

◦ Look for the introduction and conclusion.

◦ Look for the topic sentence in each

paragraph.

7. Make connections.

◦ Try to make connections between main ideas

and supporting details.

8. Summarize and Paraphrase.

 After finishing the whole text, try to summarize it

in your own words.

9. Talk to your friends.

◦ Discuss with peers what you have read