SQ3R Reading Strategy

SQ3R is a a guide to help read with a purpose, understand the reading, and retain information you learned. You may find some readings to be more difficult than others, so use this guide based on your needs.

Survey

• • • 2-5 Minutes
    • Look over the material: title, headings, visuals, & bold words.
    • Read the summary if possible.
    • Think about what you already know.

Question

• • • 5-10 Minutes
    • Turn headings into questions.
    • Write a series of questions you have about the material.
    • This should be based on the survey step.

Read

• • • ~20% of your time
    • Read the text with the purpose to answer your questions.
    • Break reading into sections.
    • Don’t try to read every word.
    • Read a whole paragraph before you highlight or take notes.

Recite

• • • ~80% of your time
    • Say it out loud in your own words.
    • Write answers to questions in your own words.
    • Recite your answers out loud.

Review

• • • 5-10 Minutes
    • Look over your notes and quiz yourself.
    • Make connections between the reading and class notes.
    • Write 3-4 sentences about what you read overall.
    • Create test questions you may see on the exam.