The PQ4R Strategy for Reading Comprehension

Students with specific learning disabilities in basic reading, reading comprehension, and dyslexia need effective strategies, such as PQ4R, to understand what they read and to remember details of what they've read. This strategy can also help students without disabilities improve reading comprehension and retention. The PQ4R strategy is a good study skill that can be adapted for students of all ages.

PQ4R is an acronym for preview, question, read, reflect, recite, and review. Learn how to use the strategy with the six steps that follow.

Preview

Look through the pages of your reading passage and read the headings of the chapter and any sections dividing the chapter. Read the first and last paragraph of each section. View the illustrations in each section. Read the captions under the pictures and take a few minutes to look at charts, graphs or maps. This will help you synthesize the information.

Question

Think about the information you learned in the preview. Ask yourself questions about it. Think about what you already know about the ideas you saw during your preview. What do you think will be the main points raised in the chapter? What do you expect to learn from reading this material? Are there any questions you have that you'd like answered?

Read

Read the passage. If there are ideas that seem important, make a note of them on paper. If the book belongs to you, consider making notes in the margins and highlight important parts in the book. If you just can't imagine writing in your book, use sticky notes or make your notes on paper.

Reflect

Take time to reflect on what you have read. How are the passages or chapters inter-related? How does the information fit into the details you have already learned? What new information did you learn? Did the passage include the information you expected it to cover? Was there information that surprised you? Were the questions that you had answered?

Recite

Think about the material. Discuss it with someone else or write down the main points you learned.

If writing is a problem for you, consider brief notes or discuss the material with other students.

It is important to summarize the material in writing using your own words. Explain it aloud to someone else or recite your notes aloud to yourself. Consider using a graphic or visual organizer to increase your understanding of how concepts in the reading relate to each other.

Review

Consider the main points of the material. Were your questions answered? If not, what information are you unsure about? Do you feel that you fully understand the writer's points?

Use the PQ4R strategy with new reading materials, such as articles, books, and short stories, to improve comprehension and retention. This can lead to better grades and improved achievement in all school subject areas.