reading textbooks

HOWTOREADTEXTBOOKS PREPARED BY: JOALEX

NILLO

WHAT IS A TEXTBOOK?

A textbook or coursebook is a manual of instruction in any branch of study.

Textbooks are produced according to the demands of educational institutions.

Although most textbooks are only published in printed format, many are now available as online electronic books.

CHECKLIST OF SYMPTOMS

Do you often: Get bored or fall asleep when reading a

textbook chapter? Feel that you haven't remembered a

thing after you finish reading a chapter? Get poor grades in courses that require

reading textbook material? Get poor grades on chapter tests when

you think that you knew the material? Spend several hours rereading a chapter

in a textbook?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

Textbooks are difficult. They are not pleasure reading. They are meant to give

information. The words and concepts are

complex.

HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK? Step 1: LOOK AT THE

COVER! Are there any pictures

that can give you a clue on the topics you may be studying?

What about the title? Is this a book for

beginners or for someone with more skill?

If it's a history book, will you be studying World History or Early American History?

HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK?

Step 2: REVIEW THE TABLE OF CONTENTS! How many chapters does the

textbook have? What about sub-chapters? Is there a glossary or a series of

appendices? What about a bibliography?

HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK?

Step 3: SURVEY/PREVIEW THE CHAPTER (SKIM THE ENTIRE CHAPTER). What immediately

catches your attention? Is it the bold text of the

chapter title or are there clear photos or drawings with captions?

HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK?

Step 4: REVIEW ANY CAPTIONS THAT MAY BE IN THIS CHAPTER. This includes the writing underneath

pictures or photographs, as well as the titles for charts and diagrams. How do the words and pictures compare?

HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK?

Step 5: WRITE DOWN THE BOLD TEXTS OF THE CHAPTER.

HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK?

Step 6: COMPARE THE QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER WITH YOUR LIST OF BOLDED TEXT.

HOW TO READ A TEXTBOOK?

Step 7: REVIEW AND RECITE. This is the most important

step! Don't delay! Review immediately, during

the same study session. Once you get to the end of

the piece, go back and review the notes you've made. Look over the important words, points, and lists.

TIPS

Don't be hard on yourself. If this is hard for you, it's probably just as hard for other students in your class.

Don't try to read in a noisy environment. That might be OK under other circumstances, but it's not a good idea when attempting difficult reading.

Talk to others who are reading the same material. ASK SOME ADVICE.

Don't give up!

THE END