Slow Reading Technique: SQ3R Method:1. Survey (S):

The first step is easy. It’s even fun. You don’t start reading the book. You examine it. You skim through the pages. You go through the table of contents. The headings inside the chapters. Your goal is to get a sense of the content. To form an impression about the book. To spot what are the key questions the author is trying to answer and at the same time, formulate your own questions so you can later look for answers to them in the text.

What to do?

• Read the introduction.

• Skim through the book – see the headings, the images, the chapter summaries.

• Think about the main problems the book is tackling.

Question (Q):

You can do this step before each chapter. The goal is simple, you form a set of questions for each section. The easiest way to do this is by converting the headings into questions. For example, one of the headings in Thinking in Bets is “Organized Skepticism: real skeptics make arguments and friends.” Based on this, we can ask the following questions: “What is organized skepticism?”; “How I can make arguments and at the same time friends?” This simple task creates a purpose for your reading.

What to do?

• Before each chapter stop, and outline the main questions.

• Turn the headings into questions.

• You can also use the following general questions: What question is this chapter trying to answer? How can this information help me?

Read (R1):

Thanks to the background work you’ve done in the previous steps, you’ll now have a clear idea of what you should be doing besides reading. While you read, you won’t simply go through the text. You will look for the answers to the questions you’ve set. Basically, you transition from a passive to an active reader with a clear purpose.

What to do?

• Stop often to think about the text so you can answer the questions.

• Question the text and try to find arguments that both support and dismiss the idea.

• Highlight the most important ideas. Don’t go overboard with highlighting because you’ll lose the main point.

Recite (R2):

After you’re done with a chapter, take some time to do the following: Speak out loud about what the chapter is about. Answer the questions from the Q phase. Use only your memory. Don’t look at the notes yet. Additionally, you can also try to explain to a friend what the text is trying to explain. This simple task will strengthen your understanding and organize the thoughts in your mind. After the above, identify what you’re missing, go over the missing pieces, takes extra notes if needed.

What to do?

• Recite the major points from the chapter before you look at your notes.

• Summarize the chapter in your own words.

• Rewrite what you wish to remember.

Review (R3):

The third and final R stands for Review. After you’re done with the book. Or, at the end of a section. Conduct a general review of the material. Look at your notes. Do they make sense? What is missing? What can be added? You can even go as far as creating flashcards with the major questions and ideas in the text. Since our memory is fragile, it’s important to read and reread our notes periodically. This way, the new information will find a permanent place in our heads.

What to do?

• Review the questions and your notes.

• Create flashcards to improve retention.

• Schedule time to take action based on the text and review the content again.

Ivaylo Durmonski • Slow Reading How-to Guide [With Pictures]