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WHAT IS SQ3R?
SQ3R stands for, S (Survey), Q (Question), 3R (Read, Recite and Review.
This method was designed to help people become more active in their reading
and retain information more easily.
SQ3R (Robinson, 1970) is a method for active elaboration of material that we
read, say in a textbook
The following are the explanations about SQ3R:
1. Survey: Before beginning reading, look through the whole chapter about a
minute. See what the headings are; the major one and the subheadings;
hierarchical structures seem to be particularly easy for our brains to latch onto.
Then, check for introductory and summary paragraphs, references and so on.
Remember to resist reading at this point, but see if we can identify 3 to 6 major
ideas in the chapter.
2. Question: Ask ourselves what the chapter is all about. We usually working on
this in about less than 30 seconds. What is the question that the chapter is trying
to answer? Repeat this process with each subsection of the chapter, as well,
turning each heading into a question.
3. Read: Read one section (the speed of reading is not important for it is slower for
some of us than others). At a time, look for the answer to the question proposed
by the heading. This is active reading and requires concentration. So, find
ourselves a place and time where we can concentrate.
4. Recite: This phase requires us to do some writing or with just say it out loud in
about a minute. Say to ourselves (I do this out loud so I have to study where I do
not embarrass myself) or write it down (I sometimes do this in the margins of the
book itself) a key phrase that sums up the major point of the section and answers
the question. It is important to use our own words, not just copy a phrase from
the book. Research shows that we remember our own (active) connections better
than ones give to us (passive), indeed that our own hierarchies are generally
better than the best prefab hierarchies.
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5. Review: After repeating steps 2-4 for each section we have a list of key phrases
that provides a sort of outline for the chapter. In less than 5 minutes, test
ourselves by covering up the key phrases and seeing if we can recall them. Do
this right after we finish reading the chapter. If we cannot recall one of the major
points, then that is a section we need to reread.
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RATIONALE FOR EVERY WORD IN SQ3R
1) Why Survey?
You will be better able to concentrate because you have established a
frame of reference.
You will be more aware of the author’s organization. Main points should
stand out more easily.
2) Why Question?
Your reading becomes an active search for answers instead of passive
activity.
Realising short-term goals will help you comprehend more difficult
material.
As you perfect the questioning technique, test question will seem more
and more familiar.
3) Why Read?
You discover answers to your questions and begin to recognise what is
and is not important.
You look at the material more critically for main ideas and important
details.
You keep yourself on track by being aware of your concentration level.
4) Why Recite?
Knowing that you will need to recite the information you are reading will
force you to concentrate and repeating it will help you remember it.
You will be able to gauge what you learn and what you still need to work
on.
Provides another activity to help you become more involved in the reading
process.
5) Why Review?
Immediate review of information facilitates retention.
Periodic review throughout the text will help you not only remember, but
learn the info.
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You will establish a base of information that should help you in reading
chapters later in the course.
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The Application Of SQ3R From The Text
TEXT: Ferrets as Pets
Step 1: Survey
Step 2: Question
Introduction:
Ferret is a small, long bodied, low-
slung creature.
Related to weasels, skunks,
wolverines and badgers.
This animal is the third most popular
pet in the United States.
Use 5W1H (What, when, where, why, who and how):
i) What: What is ferret?
ii) When: When is the suitable time to adopt ferrets?
iii) Where: where are the ferrets can sleep peacefully?
iv) Why: Why ferrets not recommended for households with
small children?
v) Who: Who can hurt the ferrets?
vi) How: How can the ferrets getting active and willing to
schedule their playtime to their owners?
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Step 3: Read
i) Ferret is a kind of pet. It is a small, long bodied,
low-slung creature and related to weasels,
skunks, wolverines and badgers. This animal is
the third most popular pet in the United States.
ii) For the ferrets well-being, and ours, the adoption
should be a decision that is made after long and
careful thought.
iii) In the cage but cannot stay in the cage for a long
time.
iv) Because small child will hurts them.
v) Small children can hurt the ferrets because any
child under the age of 6 will not have the
sensitivity or coordination they need to pick up a
ferret without hurting it.
vi) By sleeping for a much of the day.
Answering the questions:
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Step 4: Recite
Recite the main ideas
(Recite it out loud):
Main ideas:
Ferret is a small, long bodied, low-slung creature.
We must spend several hours a day playing and socializing the
ferrets.
Ferrets will defend themselves if a small child hurts them.
Ferrets do have a sharp teeth and they will use the to protect
themselves.
Ferrets sleep in the cage peacefully but cannot stay in the cage all
the time.
Ferrets love to play and if they have been properly socialized, they
will love to play with us.
Much attention must be paid to the house chore in so that it will not
harmed and to protect our possessions.
Ferrets sleep for much of the day so they are active for only a few
hours.
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Step 4: Review
Review the main ideas.
Look at each main heading and try to fill
in the information we know.
Make summary and try to recite them.
Go over other notes and work on the
same subject.
Do several review sessions. Once a
week.
Find out strengths and weaknesses.
Tips:
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Strengths And Weaknesses Of Using SQ3R Method in Reading
No. STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
1. Principles of learning skill, study skill
and learning styles are principally
incorporated into this system as there
is a great need to understand and
briefly form a basic idea of what one is
getting into. This is thought to be
better than blindly memorizing as the
conventional rules of studying dictate.
Surveying helps students identify
certain important ideas from the
chapter and the lessons.
The process may be viewed as too
formulaic and rigid. This is not suitable
for a students in primary school because
will be having difficulties since the
process is too formulaic and rigid.
2. Asking questions and seeking
answers immediately will help retain
ideas that the chapters contain then
helps develop study skills, learning
skills and learning styles. This is
necessary as reading automatically
makes a child understand the chapter
better and in an effective manner
enabling them to retain it for a long
time to come.
The process may be viewed as too time-
consuming. Therefore, this process is not
suitable for children in primary school
since children are easily get bored.
3. Understanding and repeating in own
words make the concepts clearer than
simply memorizing the pattern of the
book chapters or the language that is
used in the respective books.
The process does not let students to
focus on the text; They have to worry
about making questions, answering
questions, taking notes, and
"understanding" the text. Hence,
students will think that it is kind of
pointless and time-consuming.
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4. Allow students to use their memories
to their full potential by creating a
visual and auditory memory of the text
as well as using repetition of the
material as sort of a rote style of
memory.
Not all fields in education covered up or
useful by this method. For example,
students studying math typically do not
benefit by using this method. It is
because studying Mathematics requires
a lot of exercises instead of making
notes.
5. Students who utilize the SQ3R
Method will only require less time
studying for a final exam since most of
the textbook material has been stored
into long-term memory.
A student who less effective in recalling
may not suitable for this method as one
needs to recall what he or she has read.
6. Help to make more specific and
relevant notes when reading.
Not all readings will be worth the time it
takes to complete the SQ3R steps. Thus,
they will easily get bored.
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REFLECTION
After all that study I had worked on for the reading skill, SQ3R, I had gain a lot of
benefits. SQ3R is not too complicated at all but still needs to put some effort on it
because it has certain skills need to be applied.
As I have known from my studies, the method was created for college students.
However, it can also be used by elementary school students, who can practice all of the
steps once they have begun to read longer and more complex texts.
Besides, I also have learned and gained some lessons from applying this method
of reading strategy whereas the information you gain from reading is important. If you
just "do it" without learning something. You're wasting a lot of time. Thus, train your
mind to learn!
In addition, if we have problems concentrating on our reading, forget what we
read the minute we finish, but, by following the five steps of SQ3R can help us to
process and remember what we read efficiently so we do not have to create such a long
notes when studying.
Futhermore, If you are looking to be a more efficient reader, SQ3R Method is
going to fix and fulfil your desire of being an efficient reader. It's designed to help you
read faster and retain more. SQ3R stands for the steps in reading: survey, question,
read, recite and review. It might seems like it takes more time to use the SQ3R method,
but you'll find that you retain more and have to reread less often. Hence, let us take a
look at the steps.
So, my advice for all is reading a chapter correctly takes a lot more time than you
probably spend now, but try this SQ3R method for just one class. Slowly add this
system into your other classes too. Be patient and give this method 2 weeks to make a
difference. At first, you'll spend a lot of time on this. But remember, you can study a lot
of hours over the course of the semester or you can study all of those hours the week
before your final.
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As a conclusion, SQ3R reading method is very efficient for all readers or
students.