ASAP: Reading Skills
How to Pre-read a Textbook Chapter
These are ideas for overviewing a chapter in a textbook. Use some of these ideas, not all. And spend only a few minutes pre-reading.
- Read the chapter title and subtitle.
The title provides the overall topic of the chapter.
- Read any focus questions at the beginning of the chapter.
These questions indicate what is very important in the chapter.
They are meant to guide your reading and help you be on the lookout
for their answers.
- Read the chapter introduction or the first paragraph.
The introduction, or first paragraph, if there is no introduction,
serves as a lead-in to the chapter. It gives you an idea of where
the material is starting and where it is heading.
- Read each boldface subheading.
The boldface subheadings will give you an idea of the major topic
of the following chapter sections.
- Read the first sentence of each paragraph.
The first sentence often tells you what the paragraph is about
or states the central thought. However, be aware that in some
material the first sentence may instead function as an attention
getter or transition or lead-in statement. In this case, go on
to the second sentence to try to determine the main idea of the
paragraph.
- Look over any typographical aids.
Notice important chapter terms that are emphasized by being written
in slanted italic type or in dark boldface
type; often a definition or an example of a new important term
follows.
- Look over any other visual aids.
Notice any material that is numbered 1, 2, 3, lettered a, b, c,
or presented in list form. Graphs, charts, pictures, diagrams,
and maps are other means of emphasis and are usually included
to point out what is important in the chapter.
- Read the last paragraph or summary.
The last paragraph or summary gives a condensed view of the chapter
and helps you identify important ideas. Often the summary outlines
the main points of the chapter.
- Read quickly any end-of-chapter material.
If there are study questions, read through them quickly since
they will indicate what is important in the chapter.
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