READING FOR MAXIMUM RETENTION AND RECALL

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READING FOR MAXIMUM RETENTION AND RECALL

Reading is a skill we all need. But how to read better and faster is something you can learn over time. Reading for maximum retention and recall means the ability to understand and remember what you have read. To do this in the best possible way, you need some reading strategies – SQ3R

THE SQ3R

The acronym SQ3R stands for:

·         Scan – To scan means to read quickly through a written text or passage to get a general idea of the text or to find some information. When you scan you take note of the following: title, first sentence of paragraph, last sentence of paragraph, introduction and concluding paragraph.

·         Question – You get actively engaged with the written text or passage by asking questions relating to the text. For instance you want to know what the text is all about:

Is the title appropriate?

What is the writer’s purpose?

Is the writer objective or not?

Is the information true or false? etc

·         Read – Now read the text closely by trying to analyse what is happening. Look for clues or key words that will help you understand the text. Look for connections related to past ideas or experience.

·         Recall – To recall means to remember what you have read. If you applied the previous steps above, then trying to remember what has been read would be very easy to do.

·         Review – When you go through the text or notes a second time, you are reviewing. You can also review a text by discussing what you have read with a friends.

Below is a report or passage written by a boy named Naquish about where he lives.

LUTON

            Location

            Luton is in the county of Bedfordshire, in England. It is about 30 miles north of London.

                Size

                Luton has a population of 100,000 people of different nationalities.

                Transport Links

One of the country’s main motorways, the MI, runs near Luton. The town is 40 minutes from London by train. At Luton bus station you can catch local buses or coaches to take you all over the country. From Luton Airport you can fly to other UK cities and overseas.

Employment

Luton has many industries. Much employment in the town is connected with the airport and a large car factory. There are many other kinds of jobs linked to Luton’s many offices and shops.

Sport and Leisure

Good sport and leisure facilities may be found in the town. Luton has its own football club. There are several cinemas, libraries and leisure centres as well as local theatre.

Final Comment

Luton is a good place to live. There is so much to see and do.     

To understand some of the reading strategies or methods mentioned earlier, answer the following questions.

1.         Scan the passage and say how many minutes it  would take to go from Luton

            to London by train.

2.         Think of a question you might want to ask the writer about Luton.

3.         Read the passage carefully and write five different facts you have discovered about

            Luton.

4.         The report is divided into sections. Look at the passage again. Cover the passage and

            try to recall or remember the names of the different sections.

5.         To review the passage, summarise it in five sentences.