Lesson 10 - Active Reading and Study

Summary

Active readers engage deeply with what they read, asking questions and taking notes to understand the main points and their support. This process contrasts with passive reading, where focus is lacking. To enhance active reading, strategies like the PRWR system are used: previewing the material, reading and marking key ideas, writing study notes, and reciting them until memorized. Active readers use techniques like underlining important information and repeatedly testing themselves to retain knowledge, making the learning process more effective and interactive.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Active readers engage with the material, asking questions and thinking critically while reading.
• 🔍 Active readers focus on identifying the author's main points and the supporting details.
• 📝 Writing out the answers to key questions helps active readers understand and retain information.
• ✏️ Using a pen to mark off important ideas while reading enhances focus and comprehension.
• 📚 Active reading involves paying close attention to titles, headings, definitions, examples, and lists.
• 📄 Taking written notes is crucial for mastering the material, as writing aids in thinking and understanding.
• 📖 The PRWR system includes previewing the material, reading and marking important points, writing notes, and reciting them for retention.
• 💡 Underlining definitions and examples, along with enumerations, helps highlight significant ideas in a text.
• 🔑 Using keywords in notes helps in self-testing and mastering the material through repetition.
• 🔁 Reciting and reviewing notes repeatedly ensures active study and deepens comprehension.

Q & A

What is an active reader?

An active reader is someone who engages with the material, asks questions, and looks for the author's main points and supporting evidence while reading. They also take notes to enhance understanding and retention.

What are the key differences between an active reader and a passive reader?

An active reader actively thinks and asks questions while reading, paying close attention to the material. In contrast, a passive reader’s mind drifts and does not engage deeply with the content.

What are the two basic questions that active readers ask while reading?

Active readers ask, 'What is the point?' and 'What is the support for the point?' to better understand the material they are reading.

Why is writing an important part of active reading?

Writing is important because it helps active readers study, master, and remember the material. The act of writing down ideas reinforces learning and understanding.

What is the purpose of taking notes while reading?

Taking notes helps readers focus on important ideas, structure their understanding, and improve retention of the material.

What does the PRWR system stand for, and how does it work?

PRWR stands for Preview, Read, Write, and Recite. It is a textbook study system where the reader previews the material, reads and marks important ideas, writes notes, and then recites the notes for retention.

What should be done during the 'preview' step of the PRWR system?

In the 'preview' step, readers should scan the chapter by noting the title, reading the first and last paragraphs, and getting an overview of the main ideas before diving into the details.

What are enumerations, and why are they important to active reading?

Enumerations are major lists of items that may be numbered in the text. They are important because they help highlight key ideas and organize information for better understanding.

How does the act of reciting notes help with active reading?

Reciting notes helps reinforce memory by repeatedly testing oneself on key concepts until the material can be recalled without looking at the notes.

What role do key words play in the note-taking process?

Key words help organize notes and provide prompts for self-testing, allowing readers to recite and master the material more efficiently.