How to Read a Textbook!
- Read the Contents - It's the outline of your course, much like a "syllabus" for a textbook.
- Read the questions - Read the questions at the end of the chapter. (Don't argue...just read them aloud!)
- Read the terms - Read the terms listed in many textbooks at the end of the chapter. Write them in your own hand. Speak and spell them aloud as you write.
- Read the summary paragraphs - They gather and briefly state all the most important points made in the section or chapter.
- Return to the front - Return to the front of the chapter and read ALL headings. They may be bold, large or small, or even Italic.
- Look at everything - Look at all graphs, charts, boxes or photographs, anything that is NOT regular text.
- Remember - You have now seen the most important terms in the chapter twice -- maybe three times. When you see them again, they will catch your eye, (AND YOUR BRAIN) and you can concentrate on their definitions and how they fit into the meaning of the chapter. You are reading with purpose, goals – The result? No more sleeping through the chapter:)
- Write notes - Write very concentrated notes in the margins of your book in your own words. And, do some highlighting...but...
- DON'T MAKE THE WHOLE PAGE PINK!! -