Effective Textbook Reading

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Effective Textbook Reading
???

• Would you like to understand more, read faster,
  and more efficiently ?

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The Basics

• Prereading
• During reading
• After reading

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• Prereading
• Set a purpose for your reading
• Read the introduction
• Read section titles and headings
• Skim the first/last sentence of each paragraph
• Read the last paragraph or section summary
• Identify the text structure
• Activate you prior knowledge (what do I already
  know about this topic? How can I connect it to
  what Ive already learned?)

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Text Structure What is it?The organizational
pattern of the text. Common Patterns

• Definition
• Time Sequence
• Compare/contrast
• Problem/solution
• Cause/effect

Explains the meaning of a term or phrase
Consists of class, characteristics, and
explanation Describes events, processes,
procedures Discusses similarities and/or
differences among ideas, theories, concepts or
people Focuses on ifthen relationships,
identifies problems, discusses causes/solutions De
scribes how one or more things cause or are
related to another
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A Classic Study
McCluskey conducted an experiment for the Journal
of Educational Psychology in which college
students were divided into two groups. One group
was taught how to use headings and summaries for
prereading the other group received no
instruction. Both groups were then given a
selection to read and questions to answer. The
results indicated that the group who used
headings and summaries read 24 percent faster
than, and just as accurately as, the students who
did not preread (in McWhorter,71).
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During Reading

• Underline, highlight, or use sticky notes to call
  attention to meaningful/useful information
• Develop or ask questions of yourself about each
  section.
• Reread confusing or difficult material to make
  sure you comprehend
• Read by sections. Do not move on to another
  section until you understand it

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After Reading

• Think about the purpose you set for reading
• Check to see what you remember from the reading
• Revisit the text to check understanding (look
  over highlighting, underlining, or sticky notes)
• Monitor your own learning/comprehension (do I
  understand everything I just read? Can I answer
  the questions I developed?)
• Self-test

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Pulling It All Together A Strategy
SQW3R Step 1 Survey Step 2 Question Step 3
Write Step 4 Read/Write Step 5 Recite Step 6
Review  
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• The SQW3R Reading Method

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Useful Resources

• Visit the Reading Center in room C-107 if you
  want to work on more reading strategies
• Review this presentation by going to my staff
  page on the Maine South web site.
• http//www.maine207south.k12.il.us/staff_view.asp?
  id35
• Click on the link for Effective Textbook Reading.
• Web Sites
• St. Thomas University Study Guides and Strategies
• Virginia Tech Study Skills Self-Help Informmation

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REMEMBER THE INFORMATION YOU GAIN FROM READING
IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU JUST "DO IT" WITHOUT
LEARNING SOMETHING, YOU'RE WASTING A LOT OF TIME.
TRAIN YOUR MIND TO LEARN!!!