Tackling Texts - how to read more effectively

A good formula for reading more efficiently is known as SQ3R (short for Survey, Question, Read, Recall, Review).

The five stages in this approach are:

1. Survey the material first to get a general view of what you will study in detail (scan the table of contents, the introduction, headings, emphasised sections, exercises, summaries and final paragraphs).
2. Think up Questions that relate to the purpose of your study and allow you to read with anticipation (e.g. why does the author divide up his material this way?).
3. Read the material (preferably two or three times, quite fast rather than once slowly). During this stage:
   • Look for the author's framework of ideas, the plan upon which s/he constructed the material. (This is often revealed by the headings s/he uses, showing you which ideas belong with which).
   • Pick out the main idea in each paragraph - usually contained in the first or last sentences.
   • Look for important details, e.g. proofs, examples, support for the main idea.
   • Don't ignore the author's diagrams and illustrations, they may make things clear where the text does not.
   • Think up your own examples - look for applications in your own experience.
   • Be sceptical. Don't take the author's word on trust. Look for him/her to justify every statement s/he makes (if s/he doesn't, and the point is an important one, check with another book, or if possible a tutor).
   • Work out what the results would be if theories alternative to the ones you are reading about were true.
   • Don't be afraid to skip paragraphs and whole sections if you see that they are not relevant to your purpose. (There's no law that says you've got to read every page of a book).
   • If, after considering the material for some time, you still find a section difficult to understand, take a break. Try to discuss the difficulty with other students, or a tutor, or find another author's treatment of the topic and then come back and read it again.
   • Make sure anything you quote is correct and correctly referenced. It's difficult once you've given back a library book!  
4. Stop after each section of material to Recall what you have read (and make notes of the main ideas and important details).
5. Review what you have read (and test the accuracy of your notes) by running quickly through the four previous stages again.

How To Approach Your Reading Sessions

Fix a time period for reading and keep to it. You are advised to keep to 40-50 minute 'slots' with a 10-minute break in between. You are likely to lose concentration if you read longer than that. If you're finding a text difficult for whatever reasons, put it down and have a break. It's often forgotten that our subconscious mind can help an awful lot. Sleep on it if you need to.

Different Ways of Reading (Skimming and Scanning)

When you are at university you will be expected to read from a wide variety of sources. As you will be spending a lot of time reading it's best to learn how to read well.

Avoid thinking you have to 'plough through' a book from cover to cover. This is the least efficient way of reading. Below is a summary of some important techniques in reading.

• Flip through a book to get a quick idea if it's worth reading.
• Scan contents pages, indexes, introductions, summaries to quickly locate the specific information you are looking for (compare walking down a library aisle to locate a subject).
• Skim quickly through the text to get an overview and find 'signposts'.
• Concentrate on detailed reading of identified specific chapters, sections or points.

It is important you learn which technique to use and when. By doing so, getting through the reading list will be an enjoyment and not something to keep putting off or getting worked up about.