How to Study

Seek Word Clues, Too
While the heads, subheads, first sentences, and other author-provided
hints we’ve talked about will help you get a quick read on what a 
chapter is about, some of the words in that chapter will help you 
concentrate on the important points and ignore the unimportant.
Knowing when to speed up, slow down, ignore, or really concentrate
will help you read both faster and more effectively.
How to Study
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When you see words such as “likewise,” “in addition,” “moreover,”
“furthermore,” and the like, you should know that nothing new is
being introduced. If you already know what’s going on, speed up or
skip what’s coming entirely.
On the other hand, when you see words like “on the other hand,”
“nevertheless,” “however,” “rather,” “but,” and their ilk, slow down—
you’re getting information that adds a new perspective or contradicts
what you’ve just read.
Lastly, watch out for “payoff ” words such as “to summarize,” “in 
conclusion,” “therefore,” “consequently,” “thus”—especially if 
you only have time to “hit the high points” of a chapter or you’re
reviewing for a test. Here’s where everything that went before is 
happily tied up in a nice bow and ribbon, a present that enables 
you to avoid having to unwrap the entire chapter.
Now Go Back for Detail
If a more thorough reading is required, turn back to the beginning.
Read one section (chapter, unit, whatever) at a time.
As you read, make sure you know what’s going on by asking yourself
if the passage is written to address one of these five questions:
1. Who? The paragraph focuses on a particular person or group
of people. The topic sentence tells you who this is. 
2. When? The paragraph is primarily concerned with time. The
topic sentence may even begin with the word “when.” 
3. Where? The paragraph is oriented around a particular place
or location. The topic sentence states where you are reading
about.
Chapter 3 
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How to Read and Remember
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4. Why? A paragraph that states reasons for some belief or hap-
pening usually addresses this question. The topic sentence
answers why something is true or why an event happened. 
5. How? The paragraph identifies the way something works or
the means by which something is done. The topic sentence
explains the how of what is described. 
Do not go on to the next chapter or section until you’ve completed
the following exercise: