Reading is a skill that we use every day, whether for work, study, or pleasure. But how often do we read strategically, with a clear goal and a plan to achieve it? How often do we read actively, interacting with the text and thinking critically about its meaning? How often do we read efficiently, retaining the information and applying it to our needs?
If you want to improve your reading skills and get the most out of your reading experience, you may want to try SQ3R, a proven technique and strategy that can help you read effectively. SQ3R stands for “Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review,” and it involves a series of steps that guide you through the reading process. In this article, we will explain what SQ3R is, how it works, and why it is beneficial for academic and informational reading.
What is SQ3R?
SQ3R is a comprehensive approach to reading that was developed by Francis P. Robinson in 1946. It is designed to enhance reading comprehension, retention, and active engagement with the text. SQ3R is both a reading technique and a reading strategy:
- As a reading technique, SQ3R involves a specific set of steps or actions that readers undertake during the reading process. Each step serves a distinct purpose in preparing, engaging with, and reflecting on the text. Readers employ SQ3R as a systematic method to navigate through the material and optimize their reading experience.
- As a reading strategy, SQ3R represents a deliberate and purposeful approach to reading. As part of a strategic approach, readers utilize SQ3R to establish clear reading goals, activate prior knowledge, and encourage active interaction with the text. The strategy promotes critical thinking, enhances comprehension, and facilitates memory retention, making it a highly effective tool for academic and informational reading.
How does SQ3R work?
SQ3R works by following a sequential order of steps that correspond to the acronym: Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review. Each step has a specific function and benefit in the reading process:
- Survey. In the survey phase, readers expeditiously examine the text to gain a comprehensive understanding of its structure, including headings, subheadings, and visual elements. This preliminary survey facilitates the establishment of a mental map of the content, providing an overview before the commencement of detailed reading. The benefit of surveying is that it helps readers to orient themselves to the text, anticipate its main ideas, and activate their prior knowledge.
- Question. During the questioning stage, readers formulate pre-reading inquiries based on the title, headings, and their existing knowledge. These questions serve as a purposeful guide for the reading process, fostering active engagement and encouraging inquiry. The benefit of questioning is that it helps readers to focus their attention, generate interest, and set a goal for reading.
- Read. In the reading phase, readers engage with the text extensively, paying meticulous attention to the answers to their pre-reading questions. The primary objective is to comprehend the central ideas and supporting details presented in the material. The benefit of reading is that it helps readers to understand the text, identify its main points, and evaluate its arguments.
- Recite. Following the perusal of a section or a substantial segment of the text, readers pause to recite or summarize the information in their own words. This recitation process serves to reinforce understanding and contribute to the retention of information in memory. The benefit of reciting is that it helps readers to consolidate their learning, check their comprehension, and improve their recall.
- Review. Ultimately, in the review stage, readers reflect on the material. They revisit their pre-reading questions to assess their comprehension and review their recited summaries to further solidify their learning. This step functions as a comprehensive review, consolidating the acquired knowledge and reinforcing the learning process. The benefit of reviewing is that it helps readers to confirm their understanding, retain the information, and apply it to their needs.
Why is SQ3R beneficial?
SQ3R is beneficial because it enables readers to read effectively, meaningfully, and efficiently. By systematically engaging with the content through these steps, readers enhance their comprehension, retention, and overall effectiveness in the reading process. Some of the benefits of SQ3R are:
- It helps readers to prepare for reading by surveying the text and activating their prior knowledge.
- It helps readers to set a purpose for reading by generating questions and focusing their attention.
- It helps readers to interact with the text by reading actively and critically.
- It helps readers to reinforce their learning by reciting and summarizing the information.
- It helps readers to review and apply their learning by reflecting and evaluating the material.
SQ3R is especially useful for academic and informational reading, where the goal is to learn, understand, and remember new information. SQ3R can help readers to overcome the challenges of complex, dense, or unfamiliar texts, and to achieve their reading objectives effectively.
How to use SQ3R?
To use SQ3R, you need to follow the steps in order and apply them to the text you are reading. You can use SQ3R for any type of text, but it is particularly suited for non-fiction, academic, or informational texts. Here is a brief guide on how to use SQ3R:
- Survey. Before you start reading, scan the text quickly and look for clues that indicate its structure and main ideas. Pay attention to the title, introduction, conclusion, headings, subheadings, tables, graphs, diagrams, and other visual elements. Try to get a general idea of what the text is about and how it is organized. Write down any words or concepts that you are familiar with or that you want to learn more about.
- Question. Based on your survey, generate some questions that you want to answer by reading the text. You can use the headings and subheadings as prompts, or you can use question words such as who, what, when, where, why, and how. Write down your questions and keep them in mind as you read. You can also modify or add new questions as you go along.
- Read. Read the text carefully and look for the answers to your questions. You can read the text in sections or in its entirety, depending on your preference and the length of the text. As you read, try to identify the main ideas and supporting details of each section. You can also highlight, underline, or annotate the text to mark the important information. If you encounter any unfamiliar words or concepts, try to infer their meaning from the context or look them up in a dictionary or a glossary.
- Recite. After you finish reading a section or the whole text, stop and try to recall the information in your own words. You can do this orally or in writing, depending on your preference and the situation. You can use your questions as cues, or you can use your own words to summarize the main points and details of the text. Try to be as accurate and concise as possible, and avoid looking back at the text unless you need to check something.
- Review. When you have completed the reading and recitation, review the material and evaluate your understanding. You can do this by going over your questions and summaries, and checking if they match the information in the text. You can also compare your notes with a partner or a teacher, and discuss any questions or doubts you may have. You can also test yourself by answering some questions or doing some exercises related to the text. Finally, you can think about how the information relates to your needs, interests, or goals, and how you can use it in the future.
Conclusion
SQ3R is a powerful technique and strategy that can help you read effectively. By following the steps of surveying, questioning, reading, reciting, and reviewing, you can enhance your comprehension, retention, and active engagement with the text. SQ3R is especially beneficial for academic and informational reading, where the goal is to learn, understand, and remember new information. SQ3R can help you overcome the challenges of complex, dense, or unfamiliar texts, and achieve your reading objectives effectively. If you want to improve your reading skills and get the most out of your reading experience, give SQ3R a try and see the difference it can make. Happy reading!
This article is based on the book “The Reader’s Playbook: Strategic Approaches to Meaningful Reading” by John Smith. You can find more information about the book and the author here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CP9DJRMZ.