Textbook Reading Strategies

Preview the Chapter

  • Thumb through the pages and ask yourself what you already know about this topic
  • Are there key terms or big, guiding questions at the beginning of the chapter?
  • How will looking at the terms help you understand the chapter better?
  • Are there questions throughout they chapter that will help guide your reading?
  • Are key words defined in margin boxes in the chapter or at the end?
  • Is there a chapter summary at the end?

Decide Your Purpose for Reading

Does the instructor cover all the important information in class via Power Points?

  • Skim chapter objectives
  • Get familiar with key terms
  • Review the “big ideas”
  • Read the chapter summary
  • Jot down big ideas

Do you need to discuss information in class or write something in a discussion board?

All of the above, plus:

  • Turn big headings into questions, write notes and answer in your own words
  • Jot short definitions of key words you don’t already know

Class PowerPoints are only an outline and/or test material comes from the book as well as lecture:

All of the above, plus:

  • Turn all headings into questions and answer in your own words
  • Make sure your notes are answering the big, guiding questions at the beginning of the chapter
  • Stop at comprehension check questions throughout the text and at the end to make sure your notes are good enough to answer the questions

Pick a Notetaking Strategy

Turn Headings into Questions:

  • Use the words why, what, or how in front of headings/sub-headings to turn them into questions
  • Read to find your answer and write your answer in your own words
  • Note key vocab words along the way
  • If you can’t answer your question, make a note and ask someone else

Use the RAP Strategy:

  • Read a chunk of text (a paragraph, a section – whatever you can manage)
  • Ask yourself, “What was that about?”
  • Paraphrase an answer by taking a note in your own words

Cornell Note Style – See handout

Genio App – Capture and Annotate

General Textbook Reading Tips

  • Review different styles of notetaking that might work for well for you:
  • Break a large amount of reading into smaller chunks
  • Stop and ask yourself along the way if you are understanding what you’re reading
  • If you can’t put a term or concept in your own words, you don’t understand it; look up the word, ask someone about the concept, watch a video to clarify, etc.
  • If focus is a problem, do some exercise or physical activity before and during study time; physical activity changes brain chemicals that affect focus and attention
  • Listen to your texts if reading is slow and choppy
  • Ask Tina or others for more resources…