53 Chapter 7 Becoming an Active Reader Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 53 SUMMARY• • (LO 7-1) Describe active reading. Active reading is processing the words, phrases, and sentences you read. Active reading requires the reader to use strategies to understand the material so comprehension is possible. • • (LO 7-2) Explain how skimming, scanning, and reading for detail can help a person become a skillful reader. Skimming is used when you are not sure what is in the material. Scanning is used when you know the information you need is there and you just have to find it. To read for detail is to read all words and phrases, consider their meanings, and determine how they combine with other elements to convey ideas. • • (LO 7-3) Define SQ3R and the five steps of this strategy. SQ3R is a reading strategy to help readers retain written information. There are five steps of the strategy: survey, question, read, recite, and review. • • (LO 7-4) Identify examples of general reading techniques. Some general reading techniques that might improve your active reading skills include using prior knowledge, reading phrases instead of words, and marking your reading materials. • • (LO 7-5) Summarize strategies to improve reading skills. By reviewing your reading habits, you can look for the areas where your skills need improvement. Some tips for improving how effectively you read include timing yourself, paying attention to how often you interrupt yourself, paying attention to your thoughts as you read, recognizing whether you read word by word or phrase by phrase, and keeping track of the number of times you do not fully understand what you just read. GLOSSARY TERMS Visit the G-W Learning companion website at www.g-wlearning.com/careereducation/ to review the following glossary terms. active reading prior knowledge skim scan read for detail SQ3R annotation REVIEW 1. Describe active reading. 2. Explain how skimming, scanning, and reading for detail can help a person become a more skillful reader. 3. When is skimming a useful technique to use when reading?