READING SKILLS AND

STRATEGIES
ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES
TSLB3023

norzalina abdul rashid

OVERVIEW
SQ4R
KWL
Speed Reading

Reading furnishes the mind with materials of knowledge;

it is thinking that makes what we read ours.
~ John Locke (English Philosopher)

SQ4R
Survey
Question
Read
Recite
Reflect
Review

SURVEY
Before you read, SURVEY the chapter
The title, headings, and subheadings.
Captions under pictures, charts, graphs, maps, etc.
Review chapter questions and/or study guides.
Usually at the end of a chapter.

Introductory and concluding paragraphs.

Chapter summary.
* You want to get an overview of the chapters contents.
What is the chapter about?
Put things in contexthow does the chapter relate to
other chapters?

QUESTION
QUESTION while you are surveying
Turn the title, headings, and/or subheadings into questions (what, when,
why, how, who, where)
Read questions at the end of chapters or after each subheading.
Ask yourself: What did my instructor say about this chapter or subject
when it was assigned?
Ask yourself: What do I already know about this chapter/subject?
For example: The chapter title Stages of Sleep might lead you to ask
Is there more than one stage of sleep?
What are they and how do they differ?

* It may be helpful for you to write out your questions.

READ
When

you begin to READ

Look for answers to the questions you first raised.
Answer questions at the beginning or end of the chapter/study guide.
Reread captions under pictures, graphs, etc.
Note all the underlined, italicized, bold printed words and phrases.
Study graphic aidswhile you are reading.
Reduce reading speed for difficult passages.
Stop and reread parts that are not clear. Or, mark those areas and
return to them.
Read only one section at a time and recite after each section.
* Adjust your rate of reading

RECITE
RECITE after youve read a section
Orally ask yourself questions about what you have just read and/or
summarize, in your own words, what you read.
Take notes from the text but write the information in your own words.
Underline/highlight important points youve just read.
Use the method of recitation which best suits your particular learning
style.
Remember to look for answers as you read, and recite or take notes
before moving on.
Recite the important points.

REFLECT
REFLECT on what you have read
Does it make sense to you?
When you study a chapter, try to link new facts, terms, and
concepts with information you already know.
Also try and link the current chapter with other chapters
in the text.
How is the new information related to previous
chapterslater chapters?
Put the pieces of the puzzle together!

REVIEW
REVIEW
When youre done reading, skim back over the chapter, or read
your notes.
Then check your memory by reciting and quizzing yourself
again.
(eg. Look Away Technique; Graphic Organiser)
Check your understanding.

* This is an ongoing process.

SQ4R METHOD
1. Survey

2. Question

5. Reflect

6. Review

3. Read

4. Recite

KWL
Know
Will / Want
Learned

An exercise that can guide you in reading and understanding a text.

It is more for study groups but you can adapt it to working alone, but
discussions will definitely help.
It is composed of only three stages that reflecta worksheet of three columns
with the three letters: K W L

K - KNOW
Think and then list, what you know about the topic before reading it! (Prereading inventory)
Brainstorm! (works better if you are working in a group)
Before looking at the text, think of keywords, terms, or phrases about the
topic.
Record these in theKcolumn of your chart until you cannot think of more.
Engage your group in a discussion about what you wrote in theKcolumn.
Organize the entries into general categories.

W- WILL/WANT
The second stage is to list a series of questions of what you want to know more of
the subject, based upon what you listed inK.
Preview the texts table of contents, headings, pictures, charts etc.
Discuss what you want to learn
List some thoughts on what you want, or expect to learn, generally or specifically.
Think in terms of what you will learn, or what do you want to learn about this.
Turn all sentences into questions before writing them down.
They will help you focus your attention during reading.
List the questions by importance.

L- LEARNED
The final stage is to answer your questions,as well as to list what new
information you have learned. either while reading or after you have
finished.
List out what you learn as you read, either by section, or after the whole work,
whichever is comfortable for you.
Check it against the W column (what you wanted to learn).
Create symbols to indicate main ideas, surprising ideas, questionable ideas,
and those you dont understand!

TOPIC : CHEETAHS

SPEED READING
Read in chunks (not word-by-word)
Read silently (do not sub-vocalise)
Move forward (do not regress)
Concentrate (no distractions)

READING TIPS
Mark your textbook as much as you need to.
Skim the reading to get an overall sense of the message.
Scan the reading to look for a specific point.
Dont feel guilty about not reading everything word for
word; be selective but thorough.

TUTORIAL TASK
Form a reading circle of 3 or 4 members.
Choose 2 texts.
Read and understand the texts using the reading methods : SQ4R and
KWL.
Compare your notes.
Share your experience of using the methods with the others in class.