What is SQ3R?

SQ3R is short for "Survey, Question, Read, Recite, and Review", developed during World War II to help military personnel learn complex materials quickly. This method works well for most types of complex reading, including legal studies.

Survey

Briefly read the following sections:

• Title → find what focus is taken from the topic discussed
• Introduction → find main themes/issues covered
• Chapters and sub-chapters → find research framework
• Graphs, tables, etc. → find supporting data from text
• Reading aids → find questions, guides or definitions

Question

What is your question about the information. Use the following trick to create multiple queries:

• Use 5W+1H to make inquiries
• Change Title, Chapter and sub-chapter into questions

Write the question into a table or mind map

Read

Read the information in its entirety while trying to find the answer to your question.

Write down the answers you get into a table or mind map that has been made.

Recite

After reading each chapter, stop and try to answer your question.

Read again until you find the answer.

Review

Once you are done, review all the chapters, review all the answers.

Complete your notes and organize your notes into a new paragraph in your own language.