SQ3R is a reading strategy that conditions the skills necessary for active reading. The method offers a more efficient and productive approach to reading textbook material. It is composed of five steps, survey, question, read, recite, and review.
Step #1: Survey
Before reading, survey the text. Notice the title, subtitles, illustrations, and graphics. You can also read the first paragraph, last paragraph, and the text summary (if provided). The purpose of surveying the text is to trigger background information and focus the mind on the task of reading.
Step #2: Question
After the survey, formulate questions about the text to engage, concentrate, and build general awareness of the text topic. Generating questions before reading will create a sense of purpose and help you remain focused on the text.
Step #3: Read
Actively read the text with your self-generated questions in mind. Ideally, you will find answers to the questions that arose during step two of the strategy. It is essential to re-read unclear portions of the text. When you have a purpose for reading, reading becomes intentional, making active reading a smoother and more natural experience.
Step #4: Recite
After reading the text, think about the information in your own words. Summarizing the text will help you conceptualize the material. You are more likely to remember the information from the text if you can clearly describe it.
Step #5: Review
The last step in the SQ3R method is to review the text in a more detailed manner. At this point, you should be able to answer the questions you formulated before reading the text. You can enhance this with a group discussion, teaching this content to someone else, creating flashcards, using a study guide, or a variety of other options.
The SQ3R method promotes concentration while reading. If done correctly, it is a valuable skill that empowers you to extract as much information as possible from a text.
