SQ3R Reading Technique

 Introduction

            Reading does not mean reading every word with equal attention. A good reader first tries to understand the general meaning or gist of a text and then reads it carefully for details. Skimming is one of the important techniques that helps a reader quickly understand the general content of a text.

"How we are reading a text is as important as what we are reading".

SQ3R stands for:

S – Survey

Q – Question

R – Read

R – Recite/Recall

R – Review

1. Survey

            Survey means getting a general overview of the text before reading it in detail.

At this stage, the reader should:

• Read the title and contents.
• Look at the headings and subheadings.
• Read the chapter summary.
• Look at illustrations and their captions.
• Notice highlighted or important words and sections.
• Read the introduction and conclusion.

            Surveying gives the reader an idea about the subject and structure of the text. It also helps the reader understand how much background knowledge they already have about the topic.

Survey = Look over the text before reading it deeply.

2. Question 

            After surveying the text, the reader should ask questions about its content.

Questions help the reader:

• focus attention on the text,
• identify the main points,
• check understanding, and
• understand the sequence of ideas.

For example, after reading information about a heat pump, a reader may ask:

What allows a heat pump to heat or cool room air?

            Such questions make the reader actively search for answers while reading.

Question = Ask yourself what you want to know from the text.

3. Read

            After surveying and questioning, the reader should read the text carefully, concentrating mainly on the important points.

            The speed of reading may change according to the difficulty of the text:

Difficult or complicated text → Read more slowly.

Simple text → Read faster.

            The reader may also make notes while reading because note-making helps in understanding and interpreting the text.

Read = Read carefully to find the answers and understand the main ideas.

4. Recite / Recall

            After reading, the reader should try to remember the main points and supporting points without simply copying the text.

The reader can:

• recall the main ideas,
• remember supporting details,
• speak the information aloud,
• write the points in their own words, and
• check whether the information has been properly understood.

            The Meenakshi Raman and Sangita Sharma emphasizes that reading and recalling help us retain most of the information in the text.

Recite/Recall = Close the book and tell yourself what you remember.

5. Review

            Review is the final step of SQ3R.

        At this stage, the reader tests themselves by covering the key points and checking whether they can remember them. If the reader cannot remember something correctly, they can:

• reread the relevant part,
• expand their notes, or
• discuss the main points with friends.

        Thus, review checks whether the information has been properly understood and remembered.

Review = Test yourself and revise what you have learned.

Conclusion

        SQ3R is a systematic method of reading that consists of Survey, Question, Read, Recite/Recall, and Review. It guides the reader from getting an overview of the text to questioning, careful reading, recalling information, and finally reviewing it. 

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Reference:
Raman, Meenakshi, and Sangeeta Sharma. Technical Communication: Principles and Practice. 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 2015.