dragonbook

37 2. Turn the first heading into a question, to which you will be seeking the answer when you read. For example: "What were 'the effects of the Hundred Years' War'?" - and you might add "on democracy, or on the economy"? Or "What is 'the impact of unions on wages'?" 4. Read Selectively Read to find the answers to your question. By reading the first sentence of each paragraph you may well get the answers. Sometimes the text will "list" the answers by saying "The first point.... Secondly...." and so on. And in some cases you may have to read each paragraph carefully just to understand the next one, and to find the Focus or main idea buried in it. In general, look for the ideas, information, evidence, etc., that will meet your purpose. 5. Recite Without looking at the book, recite the answers to the question, using your own words as much as possible. If you cannot do it reasonably well, look over that section again. 6. Reduce-Record Make a brief outline of the question and your answers. The answers should be in keywords or phrases, not long sentences. For example, "Effects of 100 Yrs' War?--consolidate Fr. King's power, Engl. off continent". Or, "Unions on Wages? -Uncertain, maybe 10-15%". 7. Reflect Recent work in cognitive psychology indicates that comprehension and retention are increased when you "elaborate" new information. This is to reflect on it, to turn it this way and that, to compare and make categories, to relate one part with another, to connect it with your other knowledge and personal experience, and in general to organize and reorganize it. This may be done in your mind's eye, and sometimes on paper. Sometimes you will at this point elaborate the outline of step 6, and perhaps reorganize it into a standard outline, a hierarchy, a table, a flow diagram, a map, or even a "doodle." Then you go through the same process, steps 3 to 7, with the next section, and so on. 8. Review Survey your "reduced" notes of the paper or chapter to see them as a whole. This may suggest some kind of overall organization that pulls it all together. Then recite, using the questions or other cues as starters or stimuli for recall. This latter kind of recitation can be carried out in a few minutes, and should be done every week or two with important material.