A Memory Strategy for Reading
Preview, Question, Read, State, Test
GOAL: Improve your comprehension and long-term memory during reading activities.
Step #1: PREVIEW: Look for the “Big Picture”
How to Preview:
- Glance at the page to get a general idea.
- Look at titles, headings, pictures, captions, italicized & bolded words.
- Make a guess about the reading.
Step #2: QUESTION: Formulate questions you expect to be answered
How to Question:
- Think about the title. What’s the topic?
- What questions do you have that relate to your personal experience?
- Think of other questions related to the topic.
- Continue to think about those questions while you read.
Step #3: READ: Effective reading is “Active”
How to Read Effectively & Actively:
- Stay focused on and pay attention to what you are reading.
- While reading: Underline or Highlight important points.
- You can write important ideas & personal connections in the margins.
- Take notes using an outline and identify important main points.
Step #4: STATE: Paraphrase the main ideas
How to Become Proficient at Stating:
- Read a paragraph then state in your own words what the author said.
- After reading a paragraph, say out loud or write down 1 important main idea.
- Review your notes & state out loud the overall topic and main ideas.
- Answer the questions you asked before you started reading.
Step #5: TEST: Reflect on your answers to questions & overall comprehension
How to Use Testing:
- Ask yourself:
- What did I just learn?
- Did I answer the questions I had? Do I need to repeat any steps?
- Do I need to read further or listen more to answer the questions?
Take Home Message:
To remember something that you read, you need to spend time and really think about the ideas. You won’t remember things just by reading over them several times.
