SOAR: Reading Nonfiction Textbooks Part A

Why do we struggle to understand what we read in textbooks?

• All textbooks are written at a college level.

• Textbooks are boring!

• There are too many pictures. They distract you from the text.

• There is so much information, we don't know where to focus our attention.

Why is it important to know the purpose of the text, before you read it?

• If you know the purpose, then you don't have to read the text.

• Your teacher usually asks you about the purpose.

• It helps you figure out what's important in the text, so you can better focus your attention as you read.

• It helps you quickly identify unfamiliar vocabulary.

What does it mean to "prime your brain for reading"?

• Do brain exercises before reading to get your brain ready for speed reading.

• Prepare your brain to make connections between new information and things you already understand.

• Feed your brain high energy substances like sugar and caffeine to power-it-up for reading retention.

• Prior to reading, close your eyes for two minutes and envision your brain absorbing information.

What is the "80/20 Power Strategy" for reading textbooks?

• Read the visuals throughout the chapter.

• Read the summary questions at the end of the chapter.

• Turn headings into questions.

• Read to answer heading questions.

What are the two ways to find the purpose of the text?

• Email the author and scan the author's website.

• Look in the textbook and ask your teacher.

• Read the visuals and the summary questions.

• Read the "about the author" section and scan the table of contents.

Visual Networking is an important reading strategy that involves all of the following steps, EXCEPT:

• Look at each picture, graph, and visual.

• Writing a short summary about each visual.

• Read the captions for all visuals.

• Ask yourself, "Why is this visual in this chapter?"

Why is it important to turn headings into questions as you read?

• The process of creating questions shifts your brain into "low gear" learning, which is its most efficient mode.

• So you don’t have to answer summary questions at the end of the chapter.

• It helps you keep track of the location of important information through long chapters.

• The process of creating questions shifts your brain into "high gear" learning, which is its most efficient mode.

How do you know when you can STOP reading a textbook?

• When you've read enough to answer the "heading question" you created.

• When you get to the end of the reading assignment.

• Set a timer for 20 minutes. You may stop after that, because reading any longer than that is not productive.

• When you reach that moment that you feel like you fully understand the content you're reading.

All of the following are benefits of reading your textbook (or at least the textbook visuals and summary questions) BEFORE class, EXCEPT:

• You can ask better questions in class, which will impress your teacher.

• You will get more out of the class lecture because you'll be able to make better connections.

• The class lecture will be a "review," not an "introduction."

• You can stop listening to your teacher's lecture and work on other things, because you already understand the material.

How much time should you plan to spend "priming your brain"—with visual networking and reading the summary questions—before reading a new section in a textbook?

• 5 minutes

• 15 minutes

• 30 minutes

• 45 minutes