SQ3R Reading Strategy

The SQ3R method is an active reading strategy which helps you to: remember what you read; identify and summarise key themes; check your understanding of the content; and take effective notes.

1. Survey
Question
Read
Recall
Review
SQ3R: Reading Strategy

2. Survey
get an overview of the paper
trigger background knowledge
decide if a paper is useful or not
during research
This helps to:
Skim the text quickly,
without reading every word.
Focus on headings,
introductions, conclusions,
images, glossaries and
diagrams.

3. Question
Write down some questions
you want the text to answer
based on your initial survey,
or turn the headings into
questions.
give you a purpose or goal while reading
maintain focus and concentration
This helps to:

4. Read
Read the text
thoroughly to find
answers to your
questions and note
down your answers.
think critically about what
you're reading
identify and summarise key
points in your notes
This helps to:

5. Recall
Put the text and your
notes aside and try to
recall what you have just
read. Answer your
questions and make notes
in your own words.This helps to:
check your understanding and
memory

6. Refer back to your questions
and the text and make sure
your notes contain all the
important points from the
reading. Review these notes
frequently.
Review
This helps to:
improve your memory
identify gaps in your understanding
develop useful study notes

7. Asking your
tutor for
clarification
SQ3R
Survey
Question
Read
Recall
Review