Do you want to do more than just skim texts, but truly understand and retain what you've read? Then try the SQ3R strategy. It's a reading strategy for academic texts.

SQ3R stands for:

• Survey(to gain an overview)

• Question(formulating questions)

• Read​

• Recite(Hold on)

• Review​

And here's how it works:

1. skim the text: headings, blurb, abstract, introduction and preface, tables and illustrations.

2. Ask questions: What information do you want to gain from the text? Use the "W" questions (who, what, when, where, why) to help you.

3. Read and search specifically for answers to your questions.

4. Note down: Write down the answers to your questions and the main points of the text. 

5. Review the text sections that are relevant to you and check your notes.

The SQ3R strategy is particularly useful when evaluating specialist literature for term papers and theses.

These and other writing and reading strategies can be found in our bibTutorial. 

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