ENG 101: Composition (Dimock)

1. Identify what you know--identify what you already know about the topic before reading

2. Identify what you want to know--create a list of questions identifying what you want to know more about

3. Identify what you learned--answer your questions and identify what new information you have learned

1. Before you read, survey:

• title, headings, and subheadings
• captions under pictures, charts, graphs, maps, etc
• introductory and concluding paragraphs
• summary
• the list of questions you have identified which need to be answered

2. Question while you are surveying:

• develop questions based on the information gleaned from the title, headings, and subheadings in addition to those already identified
• take note of what you already know

3. When you begin to read:

• look for answers to your questions
• reread captions under pictures, charts, etc.
• pay particular attention to underlined, italicized, bold printed words or phrases
• slow down when reading difficult or complex passages
• reread parts that are not clear

4. Recite after you have read a section:

• ask yourself questions about and/or summarize what you have read
• take notes by paraphrasing key concepts and ideas in your own words
• use more than one of your senses to help you remember--seeing, saying, hearing, writing

5. Review--ongoing process