Power reading is an attitude. It is based on the idea that your textbooks have information that you want. It also involves your desire to extract this information through the necessary skill and energy it takes. Below are some helpful tips for effective power reading.
9 Steps to Power Reading
Before Your Reading: Pry Out Question
Preview... the table of contents, flip through the pages, read the summary, read the chapter headlines, section titles, and look over the tables and graphs.
Outline... the major headings and sections to understand the structure of the information.
Question... what you want to gain from the reading, write down questions before you begin.
During Your Reading: Root Up Answers
Read... the material, focus your attention on the words and concepts. Reduce all distractions that might keep you from focusing. Read in a quiet place at a time when you have energy for reading.
Underline... and highlight to create signals for reviewing. Write in the margins, make notes to yourself, use colored highlighters to designate levels of importance.
Answer... your questions, fill in your outline, write new questions, anticipate what material will be of greatest importance to your instructor.
After Your Reading: Recite, Review
Recite... the material outloud, explain the concepts to another person, work in groups.
Review... the material within 24 hours to store the information into long-term memory.
Review Again... on a weekly basis, go over your notes, read highlighted and outlined material, recite complicated points. Create flashcards that you can take wherever you go and review during brief moments of down time.
Adapted from: D. Ellis and D. Toft. (2002) Becoming a Master Student. Houghton Mifflin Co.
