This video, part of Plato University's "How to Learn Anything" course, focuses on technique number six: effective reading. It emphasizes comprehension and retention over speed reading, exploring the science behind reading and offering practical strategies to improve reading effectiveness.
The video states that active recall, specifically using the "retrieval practice effect," significantly improves long-term retention. One study cited showed students using recall remembered 25% more of the text a week later than those who reread. Another study indicated that recalling material once doubled long-term retention, while repeated recall resulted in a 400% improvement. The video recommends reading a passage, looking away, and then trying to recall the key ideas either verbally or in writing. If recall is difficult, rereading with closer attention is suggested, followed by a recall attempt the next day to check long-term memory. The process of actively recalling information strengthens memory and comprehension, solidifying the learned material.
Mortimer Adler identifies four levels of reading:
Elementary Reading: This is the basic level of reading taught in elementary schools. It focuses on decoding words and understanding their literal meaning. The ability to read anything from a newspaper article to a text message demonstrates competency in elementary reading.
Inspectional Reading: This involves a quick overview of the material to assess its value and determine whether deeper reading is warranted. It includes systematic skimming (preface, table of contents, index, etc.) to grasp the author's argument and superficial reading for a first pass to get general concepts.
Analytical Reading: This is an in-depth engagement where the reader actively chews and digests the material. It involves classifying the book by subject, summarizing its main points, outlining its major parts, and identifying the author's problem or question. This level requires active engagement and critical thinking.
Synoptical Reading (Comparative Reading): This is the most demanding level, involving reading multiple books on the same subject and comparing/contrasting their ideas, vocabulary, and arguments to build a comprehensive understanding of the topic, going beyond individual book comprehension to master the entire knowledge base.
The SQ3R technique is a reading comprehension method designed to enhance learning and retention. It's an acronym standing for Survey, Question, Read, Recall, Review.
The five steps are:
Survey: Quickly skim or scan the content (headings, subheadings, summaries, etc.) to get an overview before detailed reading. This prepares your mind for the new information.
Question: Formulate questions about the material. This improves motivation by creating curiosity, such as "What is the reason I'm reading this? What's in it for me? What do I expect to see here?".
Read: Engage in active reading, considering the appropriate level of reading (elementary, inspectional, analytical, or synoptical) required for the material.
Recall: After reading a passage (paragraph, page, or chapter), attempt to recall the key ideas. This can be done verbally or by writing them down. If recall is difficult, reread and focus more intently before trying again.
Review: Analyze the content from multiple perspectives, assess what you've learned, connect it to previous knowledge, and create summaries. The video emphasizes that effective readers spend more time reviewing than on any other step combined. Spaced repetition over extended periods is also recommended.
The video presents two note-taking strategies for active reading:
Blank Sheet Note-Taking: Before reading, use a blank sheet to write down what you already know about the topic, creating a mind map. As you read, add to the map using different colors, actively recalling information without looking at the text. Review the map before each reading session. This is effective because it forces you to retrieve prior knowledge, actively build upon it as you read, and visually track your learning progress. It improves recall by actively engaging your memory and linking new information to existing knowledge.
Conventional Note-Taking (in the margins): Write notes directly in the book (if you own it). This can include bullet points summarizing main ideas in your own words, connecting them to personal experiences or other knowledge; noting unanswered questions; writing a summary on the inside cover; and creating a custom index on the back cover for recurring themes. The act of writing fosters deeper processing and helps identify knowledge gaps. Having a written record allows for easier review and spaced repetition. It encourages a conversation with the author, clarifying points, and linking ideas across different sections.
Both methods promote active learning by moving beyond passive highlighting or rereading and actively engaging with the material in a way that strengthens memory and comprehension.
