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Study Skills » How to Read a Text Book
 Text books are written to impart information. They are also written to help students learn. Although text books vary from subject to subject, they all contain certain components.
- The table of contents and indexes are important. They tell the reader how the text is organized and how to find particular information.
- Chapters are organized in a manner that breaks down main topics into smaller components, which are usually printed in bold or italic type.
- Frequently, subtitles are put in bold to clue the reader into what the paragraph is about. If the paragraphs are not bolded with subtitles, the first few sentences give the reader the main point of the paragraph. The rest of the paragraph gives details to support the main idea.
- Key terms and major concepts are also noted in bold type.
- Pictures, graphs, and charts reinforce the material.
- There are chapter check ups that emphasize the main points of the chapter.
- Some books have Unit check ups. These are very important because they
pull together key ideas of many chapters.
- Each subject has subject specific vocabulary. Text books bold words, list them in a vocabulary section question, have a glossary or list them at the beginning or end of a chapter/unit. Words are essential tools that help students learn specific subjects. Look for the way a specific text highlights words; they are a clue to essential information and concepts.
Follow the following steps to master the text:
- Scan the reading assignment: Look for the clues provided by the author. Is there anything bolded? Are their subtitles? Is there a chart, a picture or graph? Are there any questions after the assigned reading? If there are, read them before reading the assignment. All these steps help students focus and supply some information on what is going to be read.
- Read carefully. Highlight or take notes as you read. Only note the most important information. Use the author�s clues to tell you what�s most important. Remember, if there are not bolded subtitles, the main idea of the paragraph is in the first or second sentence (the topic sentence). The rest of the paragraph explains or supports the topic sentence. Take notes in chart, list, or bullet fashion. This makes it easier to answer questions later or to review material for a test.
- Go over the material. Scan the material again. Read the notes. Make sure you understand the answers to key questions and have mastered the subject specific vocabulary. Make a list of questions to ask the teacher if you have problems.
Reminder: Reading a text book is a skill. Some text books are harder to read than others.
Mastering reading a text book takes practice; but, once you learn the skill, you
will be a more successful student.
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