1. Developed by Schmelzer, Christen, and
Browning

2.  Preview the chapter in order to determine
what it is about and how it is organized
 Read:
 Title
 Introduction or opening paragraph(s)
 Headings and subheadings
 Pictures, graphs, or charts
 Closing paragraph or chapter summary
 Keep the review brief…just 2-5 minutes.

3.  Get actively involved with the text material
as you read it.
 Focus on identifying the main ideas that the
author is presenting
 Answer questions that you formulate as you
read. This will help you feel as though you
are “talking to the author” as you read.
 Highlight or make notes
 Remember the extent of your reading
involvement will affect how well you
understand and remember the text.

4.  As you read, you should examine the
material for important information.
 One way to do this is by formulating and
answering questions about the material as
you read.
 Formulate questions from the headings and then
read the material that follows to find the answer
 Ask yourself why or how the author reached a
certain conclusion.
 Ask about the author’s point of view or biases.
 Ask questions about how well you understand the
information

5.  After you have finished reading the chapter, you
need to prompt you memory in order to prevent
forgetting.
 Techniques for prompting:
 Recitation – after you read, go back and recite
important information
 Overlearning – continuing to work on material even
after it is learned…review, review, and review some
more.
 Organizing - place the material into logical groups
(maybe based on headings and/or subheadings)
 Mnemonics – memory techniques to aid in
retrieval…they include rhymes, associations,
acronyms, catchwords or catchphrases.

6.  VanBlerkom, Dianna L. College Study Skills:
Becoming a Strategic Learner. 2nd ed.
Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1997. Print.