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Study Guides
Critical Thinking
Uses of Critical Thinking
Critically Evaluating the Logic and Validity of Information
Recognizing Propaganda Techniques and Errors of Faulty Logic
Developing the Ability to Analyze Historical and Contemporary Information
Recognize and Value Various Viewpoints
Appreciating the Complexities Involved in Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
Being a Responsible Critical Thinker & Collaborating with Others
Mathematics
10 Steps
Suggestions
Homework
Read the Textbook
When to Take Notes
10 Steps to Tests
Studying for Exams
Test-Taking Errors
Test Anxiety
Objective Tests
Essay Tests
Reading Comprehension
The Reading Process
Levels of Comprehension
Strengthen Your Reading Comprehension
Reading Rate
How to Read a Textbook
Organizational Patterns of a Paragraph
Topics, Main Ideas, and Support
Inferences and Conclusions
Interpreting What You Read
Concentrating and Remembering
Converting Words into Pictures
Spelling
Spelling and the Dictionary
Eight Essential Spelling Rules
Exceptions to the Rules
Converting Words into Pictures
Study Skills
Motivation and Goal Setting
Effective Studying
Time Management
Listening and Note-Taking
Memory and Learning Styles
Textbook Reading Strategies
Memory Tips
Test-Taking Strategies
The First Step
Study System
SQ4R
Maximize Comprehension
Different Reading Modes
Paragraph Patterns
An Effective Strategy
Finding the Main Idea
Read a Medical Text
Read in the Sciences
Read University Level
Textbook Study Strategies
Vocabulary
The Origin of Words
Using a Dictionary
Interpreting a Dictionary Entry
Structure Analysis
Common Roots
Word Relationships
Using Word Relationships
Context Clues
The Importance of Reading
Vocabulary Analogies
Guide to Talking with Instructors
Math Help
Writing Help
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Textbook Study Guide
The First Step in Studying a Textbook:
PREVIEWING
*
The first step toward the successful completion of any course is to preview the textbook. Ideally, you should make this preview before the end of the first week of class. The textbook has been designed by the author as a tool for mastering the subject. Besides the text itself, it offers you special help such as the headings, italics, and footnotes to improve you efficiency in using the book. Previewing your textbook will help you to discover the:
Purpose, limitations and scope of the book as stated in the preface or foreword.
Degree of difficulty of topics listed in the table of contents and index.
Extra help that the book will offer you in mastering the contents through summaries, glossaries, review questions and problems, books for further study, pointers to important ideas through use of italics, headings, marginal notes. When you make your preview, look at each component of the book to see what help it can offer you in using the book and understanding what it is trying to teach.
Title - Reword the title to make a question. Write down other questions that you think might be answered in the book. Apply the classic six questions – who, what, where, when, how and why – to the title.
Author - Who is he? What makes him an expert? What else has he done or written?
Copyright date - Is the book up to date? Have there been any new theories or developments in the field since the book was written?
Preface, Foreword, or Introduction - Does the author tell you why he wrote the book? Does he recommend the best way to use it?
Table of contents - Turn the entries into questions. Review what you already know about the topics listed.
Text chapters - Are there introductions to each chapter outlining the contents? Is each chapter subdivided under different headings? Are there maps, tables, graphs and pictures? Is there a summary at the end of each chapter? Are there questions, exercises, or other study helps for each chapter?
Glossary - Does the book have a glossary? Is it at the end of the book, or following each chapter? How many new words will you have to learn to understand the subject?
Bibliography - Does the author provide a list of other books on the subject to which you may refer if you want more detailed information?
Index - Read down this alphabetical list of the main ideas and people discussed in the book. How many items are familiar to you? Remember that in addition to using the index for reference, you may also use it for review before examinations. If you are able to read down the list of entries and remember something relevant about most of them, you probably have a good grasp of the subject.
Reference:
*Christ, Frank L., Studying a Textbook, SRA. 1966
Study Guides
Critical Thinking
Uses of Critical Thinking
Critically Evaluating the Logic and Validity of Information
Recognizing Propaganda Techniques and Errors of Faulty Logic
Developing the Ability to Analyze Historical and Contemporary Information
Recognize and Value Various Viewpoints
Appreciating the Complexities Involved in Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
Being a Responsible Critical Thinker & Collaborating with Others
Mathematics
10 Steps
Suggestions
Homework
Read the Textbook
When to Take Notes
10 Steps to Tests
Studying for Exams
Test-Taking Errors
Test Anxiety
Objective Tests
Essay Tests
Reading Comprehension
The Reading Process
Levels of Comprehension
Strengthen Your Reading Comprehension
Reading Rate
How to Read a Textbook
Organizational Patterns of a Paragraph
Topics, Main Ideas, and Support
Inferences and Conclusions
Interpreting What You Read
Concentrating and Remembering
Converting Words into Pictures
Spelling
Spelling and the Dictionary
Eight Essential Spelling Rules
Exceptions to the Rules
Converting Words into Pictures
Study Skills
Motivation and Goal Setting
Effective Studying
Time Management
Listening and Note-Taking
Memory and Learning Styles
Textbook Reading Strategies
Memory Tips
Test-Taking Strategies
The First Step
Study System
SQ4R
Maximize Comprehension
Different Reading Modes
Paragraph Patterns
An Effective Strategy
Finding the Main Idea
Read a Medical Text
Read in the Sciences
Read University Level
Textbook Study Strategies
Vocabulary
The Origin of Words
Using a Dictionary
Interpreting a Dictionary Entry
Structure Analysis
Common Roots
Word Relationships
Using Word Relationships
Context Clues
The Importance of Reading
Vocabulary Analogies
Guide to Talking with Instructors
Math Help
Writing Help
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