When you read materials actively, you can absorb them in depth, understand them effectively, and retain them for a long time. One helpful tool for doing this is the SQ3R method. We’ll show you how it works. But it does take some practice.

You can try active reading in practice right away.

  • To do this, read either a text of your own or a portion of a text (such as a chapter). For practice purposes, it should be at least two pages (DIN A4 size) long.

If you want to benefit from this learning module optimally, we urge you to complete the practice portion without interruption from start to finish.

You will need something to write with (possibly several colors) and paper.

Make sure you are not disturbed.

Form an overview of your text. To do this, skim the following (if present):

  • Cover
  • Foreword or preface
  • Introduction
  • Chapter headings
  • Chapter summaries
  • Conclusion
  • Bibliography
  • Index

Take a maximum of 5 minutes for this step.

What questions are especially important to you? Think of three to five further questions you would like to ask about the text. Write them down and put them next to the text.

Take a maximum of 10 minutes for this step.

Read the text or section of text.

Look for answers to your questions. If you run across an answer as you are reading, briefly flesh it out in your thoughts or in words.

  • If you want to change your previous questions or ask new questions about the text, be sure to always do so in writing and only if it is really important to you.
  • Mark items that are unclear and important, such as specialized terms, to return to later.
  • Take notes, using your own key terms. Use symbols that are familiar to you, such as arrows, question marks, and exclamation points.

Take a maximum of 15 minutes for this step.

If you have diligently worked your way through the practice part up to this point, we recommend a short break of five to ten minutes first.

If at all possible, don’t start a new project during this time. Cleaning up your desk can wait. 

Relax and recover. Maybe you’re thirsty by now?

Cover the text so you can’t read it. Go over what you really understood and retained.

1)   Put together an oral summary by explaining the following aloud to yourself or a listener:

  • What were the key points you identified?
  • What answers did you find to your questions?

Step 1 is not always necessary. It is a good idea when dealing with complex texts in particular, or if you want to work especially thoroughly.

2)   Write down a summary of what you felt the key points were and the answers to your questions.

Tip 1: Use the graphic methods of mind mapping as needed.

Tip 2: Put things in your own words wherever possible, both orally and in writing.

Take a maximum of 20 minutes for this exercise.

Then read through the text one last time and review whether the content matches your written summary.

You may have marked passages of the text that were unclear to you in the third work step. Formulate these areas that are unclear as questions and look for answers in the text. If you can’t find them, note important open questions and clarify later where you can turn for answers (books, for example, or fellow students).

Then add this information to your written summary as necessary.

Take a maximum of 10 minutes for this exercise.

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