Reflecting on the Process of Textbook Reading, Reaction Paper Example

Reflecting on the process of textbook reading, I can tell you that I have learned various techniques, those of which I can use in the future. Reading textbook material in college has become more of a challenge compared with high school textbook reading; therefore, I believe these processes will help me retain the amount and context of information needed to succeed in college.  The first process I learned was writing everything down that I knew about the subject before reading the textbook.   The second process I learned was previewing the content in each chapter of the textbook and noting the key words found in the titles, subtitles and text.   The third process was to think about the key words used in the titles and text and begin making test questions up in which I thought the professor might ask on the next test.   I also learned that I need to ask questions at a level higher than the definition level, such as an analytical level in order to understand the material.

The fourth process I absorbed was to begin reading the textbook, one paragraph at a time, while staying vigorously aware of the answers to the questions I formulated in the third process. In addition, once aware of the answers, I learned that marking these answers in the text book was a good part of the textbook reading process.   Furthermore, reading and studying the diagrams, tables and graphs can help understand the information.   Finally, I learned that once I have completed reading the textbook material that re-reading and reviewing the material will increase the amount of material which I can retain.

Learning about the textbook reading process has provided me with some useful tips that will help me with college courses.  The technique in which I thought was the most useful was during the second and third processes were the key words were noted and questions were asked in regard to the key words.  I found these two processes to help not only memorize the definition of the keyword, but to understand the key word analytically.  Breaking down the analytical meaning prepared me for different types of questions in which the teacher gathered and placed on exams. I also found that re-reading and reviewing the textbook material after I read it once, increased the amount I was able to retain from the material.