Reading

The SQ3R Method

Step 1: Survey - Several minutes 

-Skim through the reading to preview topical/sub-topical headings and sentences. 

-If available, read introductory sections and end-of-chapter/book summaries. 

-If possible, write down the main themes or key concepts from the reading

Step 2: Questions - Several Minutes 

-Turn paragraph headings into questions (e.g. "Basic Concepts of Reading" to "What are the Basic Concepts of Reading?"). Write these questions out.

Step 3: Read - Times Vary

-Answer questions as you read. To check for understanding, summarize in your own words. 

Step 4: Recall - More time should be spent on this step than reading 

-Immediately after reading and without referencing notes/materials, state or visualize the main points of the reading. 

Step 5: Review - Times Vary

-Look at your questions, answers, notes and reading material to see how well you did on your recall. 

-Finish with a mental picture of the WHOLE reading: key themes and concepts. 

Adapted from F.P. Robinson. Effective Study. New York: Harper and Bros. 1948. Chapter II

1. Read the title of the selection carefully. 

2. Determine what clues it gives you as to what the selection is about. 

3. Watch for key transition words that indicate the relationship between ideas:

• Cause and effect 
• Results
• Furthermore
• Additional transition words

4. Pay attention to words that signal counterarguments:

• Versus
• Pros and cons
• On the other hand
• Conversely 

5. Look carefully at the headings and other organizational clues and ask yourself, "What are the main points that the author wants me to learn?" 

• Estimate Your Reading Pace + Develop a Time Management Plan:  Learn how to accurately estimate your reading pace based on the reading's level of difficulty. Then use that data to develop a more accurate weekly time management plan. 

• Vary your Reading Pace:  Simple strategies to skillfully navigate your readings, increase time spent on significant content while expediting the overall reading process. 

No words are as helpful while reading as the prepositions and conjunctions that guide your mind along the pathways of the author's ideas. Master these words and phrases and you will almost immediately become a better reader. Here's what they are and what they say:

• Additive words: "Here's more of the same coming up. It's just as important as what we have already said."
  • Also, further, moreover, and, furthermore, too, besides, in addition
• Equivalent words: "It does what I have just said, but it does this too."
  • As well as, at the same time, similarly, equally important, likewise
• Amplification words: "I want to be sure that you understand my idea; so here's a specific instance."
  • For example (e.g.), specifically, as ,for instance, such as, like
• Alternative words: "Sometimes there is a choice; other times there isn't."
  • Either/or, other than, neither/nor, otherwise
• Repetitive words: "I said it once, but I'm going to say it again in case you missed it the first time."
  • Again, in other words, to repeat, that is (i.e.)
• Contrast and Change words: "So far I've given you only one side of the story; now let's take a look at the other side."
  • But, on the contrary, still, conversely, on the other hand, though, despite, instead of, yet, however, rather than, regardless, nevertheless, even though, whereas, in spite of, notwithstanding
• Cause and effect words: "All this has happened; now I'll tell you why."
  • Accordingly, since, then, because, so, thus, consequently, hence, therefore, for this reason
• Qualifying words: "Here is what we can expect. These are the conditions we are working under."
  • If, although, unless, providing, whenever
• Concession words: "Okay! We agree on this much."
  • accepting the data, granted that, of course
• Emphasizing words: "Wake up and take notice!"
  • above all, more important, indeed
• Order words: "You keep your mind on reading: I'll keep the numbers straight."
  • Finally, second, then, first, next, last
• Time words: "Let's keep the record straight on who said what and especially when."
  • Afterwards, meanwhile, now, before, subsequently, presently, formerly, ultimately, previously, later
• Summarizing words: "We've said many things so far. Let's stop here and pull them together."
  • for these reasons, in brief, in conclusion, to sum up

KURZWEIL 3000

Kurzweil 3000 is an educational technology which provides a reading, writing, and study platform for people with learning disabilities or other disabilities that make reading or writing difficult.

READ&WRITE

Read&Write is a literacy support tool that offers help with everyday tasks like reading text out loud, understanding unfamiliar words, researching assignments and proofing written work.

SENSUSACCESS

SensusAccess is a self-service, computer automated document conversion tool that allows students, faculty, and staff to convert documents into a variety of alternative formats including audio books (mp3, and DAISY), e-books (ePub, ePub3, Mobi), and digital Braille.

For additional information about each platform and download instructions, please visit the Self-Service Technologies & Resources page on the Student Accessibility Services website.