Mastering Your Textbook and
Effective Notetaking Strategies
By: Ms. Marie Williams
SQ4R Method
(Survey, Question, Read, Recite,
Record, Review)
Survey entire textbook
1. Table of Contents (chapter titles)
2. Glossary
3. End of chapter summaries/questions
4. All charts, diagrams and illustrations
Ask Questions
 At the end of each chapter, read the questions, one at a time
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and go back through the chapter to find the answer to each
one.
Turn chapter headings and subheadings into questions
Question the author’s statements.
Ideally, ask the standard questions: What? Why? How?
You should initially be asking yourself questions before,
during and after reading all textbook material.
Reading the Textbook
 When reading, look for the main idea, supporting details and
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examples.
Read all summaries and subheadings first.
Next, read the first paragraph in each section.
Underline topic sentence and last two paragraphs.
Compare topic sentence and conclusion.
Reciting Aloud
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Summarize what you have read on each page.
These summaries should be in your own words, in which
you read aloud to yourself.
Check your comprehension and make sure you have the
correct information.
Follow same procedure for major points after reading each
section or chapter.
This process allows you to see how much info you have
absorbed, areas you didn’t understand and need to review
and answers to the questions you generated for yourself.
Recording
•Circle unfamiliar vocabulary words
•Put question marks where more
clarification is needed
•Make notes in the margins
•In class, keep textbook open while taking
notes
•Finally, put text page number by the
lecture notes that correspond.
Reviewing
• Review all:
•Notes
•Markings in text
•Quizzes
•Highlighted and underlined material
•Summaries
Additional Notetaking Strategies
•Develop your own note-taking style for each
class. Use one side of notebook paper for class
notes, leaving 2-3 inch margin on the left side of
page for writing key words and labeling.
•Combine your text and class notes. Do this by
writing your class notes on right-hand side of
your notebook and transferring your text notes
to appropriate left-hand facing page.