Keys to Effective Keys to Effective ReadingReading

Valdosta State UniversityValdosta State University

Terence SullivanTerence Sullivan

This presentation will address the This presentation will address the following questions and issues following questions and issues

concerning Reading:concerning Reading:

Can anyone become an effective Can anyone become an effective reader?reader?

Are there techniques and methods that Are there techniques and methods that I can implement to help me read more I can implement to help me read more actively and effectively, to better retain actively and effectively, to better retain what I read, and to comprehend what I what I read, and to comprehend what I read?read?

Can I improve my Reading Can I improve my Reading Comprehension?Comprehension?

Question 1:Question 1:Can I become an effective Can I become an effective

reader?reader?Yes, you can!!!!Yes, you can!!!!

As with any subject matter, Reading As with any subject matter, Reading requires work and discipline requires work and discipline

especially if it is not your strong especially if it is not your strong area.area.

A dislike for Reading does not have A dislike for Reading does not have to limit how well you can do it!to limit how well you can do it!

Question 2:Question 2:Are there techniques and methods that can Are there techniques and methods that can

help me be a more effective reader?help me be a more effective reader?

Before we look at the different Before we look at the different methods and techniques for being an methods and techniques for being an

effective reader you must ask effective reader you must ask yourself the following questions:yourself the following questions:

Assessment:Assessment:

Do I skim or “preview” a chapter Do I skim or “preview” a chapter before I begin reading?before I begin reading?

Do I concentrate while reading a Do I concentrate while reading a text?text?

Do I wait to underline, highlight, or Do I wait to underline, highlight, or annotate the text until annotate the text until afterafter I read a I read a page or section?page or section?

Do I take notes while I read?Do I take notes while I read?

Assessment continuedAssessment continued

Do I pause at the end of each section or Do I pause at the end of each section or page to review what I have read?page to review what I have read?

After reading, do I recite key ideas to After reading, do I recite key ideas to myself or with a study partner?myself or with a study partner?

Do I review everything that I have read for Do I review everything that I have read for a class at least once per week?a class at least once per week?

Do I look for a connection between the Do I look for a connection between the text and class lectures or discussions?text and class lectures or discussions?

Do I set reading goals for each study Do I set reading goals for each study period and take a short break when I have period and take a short break when I have reached my goal?reached my goal?

Methods and Techniques:Methods and Techniques:After answering the assessment questions After answering the assessment questions

we can begin to learn and implement we can begin to learn and implement various techniques:various techniques:

There are three methods that we will There are three methods that we will look at:look at:

MappingMappingKWL ChartsKWL ChartsSQ3RSQ3R

MappingMapping

Mapping the chapter as you preview Mapping the chapter as you preview it provides a visual guide to how it provides a visual guide to how different chapter ideas fit together.different chapter ideas fit together.

75% of students are visual learners 75% of students are visual learners therefore putting content in a more therefore putting content in a more graphic style can improve graphic style can improve comprehension for many readers.comprehension for many readers.

How do you map?How do you map?

While you are previewing, use your While you are previewing, use your map or diagram to show the central map or diagram to show the central or main idea.or main idea.

Draw lines away from the central Draw lines away from the central idea on which to write down your idea on which to write down your secondary ideas or supporting ideas.secondary ideas or supporting ideas.

Also allow for Key Ideas or Terms Also allow for Key Ideas or Terms which should be found in the which should be found in the chapter.chapter.

Examples of Reading Maps:Examples of Reading Maps:

Main or CentralIdea

Secondary Idea Secondary Idea Secondary Idea

Examples continuedExamples continued

SecondaryIdeas or Key

Elements

SecondaryIdeas or Key

Elements

Secondary Ideas or Key

Elements

Title or MainIdea

KWL ChartsKWL Charts

The purpose of a KWL Chart is figure The purpose of a KWL Chart is figure out what you know, what you want to out what you know, what you want to learn, and ultimately what you have learn, and ultimately what you have learned.learned.

K = What do you KNOW about the K = What do you KNOW about the subject or chapter? (prior knowledge)subject or chapter? (prior knowledge)

W = What do you WANT to know?W = What do you WANT to know?L = What have you LEARNED about L = What have you LEARNED about

the subject or chapter?the subject or chapter?

How do I make a KWL Chart?How do I make a KWL Chart?

To make a KWL Chart you will need To make a KWL Chart you will need to either draw or create a chart with to either draw or create a chart with three columns. three columns.

One column is for the K, one for the One column is for the K, one for the W, and one for the L.W, and one for the L.

In the K column list what you already In the K column list what you already know, in the W column list what you know, in the W column list what you want to know, and in the L column want to know, and in the L column list what you have LEARNED.list what you have LEARNED.

Example of a KWL Chart:Example of a KWL Chart:

KK WW LL

SQ3RSQ3R

The SQ3R Method is very similar to The SQ3R Method is very similar to both of the previously mentioned both of the previously mentioned methods.methods.

The purpose of this method is to The purpose of this method is to encourage you to preview, look at encourage you to preview, look at the questions that go along with your the questions that go along with your chapter, and then to focus on the chapter, and then to focus on the detailed reading of your chapter.detailed reading of your chapter.

SQ3RSQ3R

S = SurveyS = SurveyQ = QuestionQ = QuestionReadReadRe-readRe-readReviewReview

(three Rs)(three Rs)

Each of these methods promote Each of these methods promote previewing the text, finding the main and previewing the text, finding the main and supporting ideas, and previewing the supporting ideas, and previewing the questions for each chapter or subject. questions for each chapter or subject.

Other actions to consider would be:Other actions to consider would be:

-Reading the end of chapter questions first, -Reading the end of chapter questions first,

can help you to recognize important and can help you to recognize important and

relevant words in the chapter.relevant words in the chapter.

-Eliminate other distractions unless you are-Eliminate other distractions unless you are

person who learns better and more with aperson who learns better and more with a

noisy background.noisy background.

Continued,Continued,

-Find the locations and methods that -Find the locations and methods that are best for YOU and discipline are best for YOU and discipline yourself accordingly.yourself accordingly.

-Reading, if you do not enjoy it, will -Reading, if you do not enjoy it, will require extreme attention on your require extreme attention on your part.part.

-Implement these methods and watch -Implement these methods and watch your reading ability, retention, and your reading ability, retention, and comprehension improve.comprehension improve.

Question 3:Question 3:Can I improve my Reading Can I improve my Reading

Comprehension?Comprehension?YESYES If you will follow any of the methods If you will follow any of the methods

explained in this chapter or seek out explained in this chapter or seek out methods of your own to implement; methods of your own to implement; you WILL see drastic improvement in you WILL see drastic improvement in what you are able to remember from what you are able to remember from you reading and how well you you reading and how well you understand the content!!!understand the content!!!

Useful Links:Useful Links:

http://sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/notetaking.systems.html

http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/compre.htm

http://www.nelliemuller.com/reading_comprehension.htm

References:References:

Your College Experience:Your College Experience:

Strategies for SuccessStrategies for Success

Annotated Instructor’s EditionAnnotated Instructor’s Edition

Seventh EditionSeventh EditionBy: John N. Gardner, A. Jerome Jewler, and Betsy O. By: John N. Gardner, A. Jerome Jewler, and Betsy O.

BarefootBarefoot