True or False? When reading a chapter in a psychology textbook for the first time, students should underline with markers, using a multi-colored system, all the main concepts and supporting points and details. (FALSE!)
Instead of relying on extensive underlining as the principal practice for understanding course reading assignments, following this multi-step reading and review process will help you to
- Target main study points
- Increase comprehension
- Identify possible quiz or test questions
- Retain information for comprehensive exams
- Preview the text
Get a general picture or understanding of a reading assignment (e.g., a chapter in your PSYC 110 book) by previewing the title, section headings, introductions, first sentences of each main section, pictures and graphs, final or summary paragraphs, and end-of-chapter questions.
- Read one section at a time
Read one section of your assignment at a time. Instead of underlining with a pencil or pen or highlighting with colored markers, place a light dot or checkmark in the margin by each main point.
- Generate questions
Turn each dot or check mark (i.e., main point) into a question, and then underline the answer in the text, targeting only the main point and/or key words. Note difficult topics or paragraphs that may require extra study time.
- Answer questions
Cover the text and answer the questions. If your answers are incomplete, review the section and then recite your answers. You may need to revise questions or add new one.
Note: If you need clarification as you read and rehearse, write down questions you may want to ask in class or to your professor.
- Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each section
Focus on a manageable number of sections/pages for each reading session; a chapter of a textbook might be broken into two or more reading sessions.
- Check if your margin questions match questions at the end of the chapter
Be prepared to incorporate (additional) end-of-chapter questions into the margins of the text
- Test your comprehension after you complete the entire reading assignment (i.e., the entire chapter in your PSYC 110 book)
Answer all your margin questions and define key terms. For incomplete responses, review the paragraph or section and then try again.