What is the first step in the SQ3R method?

The first step in the SQ3R method is to survey the material. This involves skimming the text to gain an overview of the content before diving into detailed reading. During this phase, a reader typically looks at headings, subheadings, any highlighted or bolded text, and images or charts that may provide useful context. Surveying helps to create a mental framework for understanding the material, making it easier to categorize and assimilate new information when it is read more thoroughly in subsequent steps. By doing this preliminary scan, a reader can also activate prior knowledge, which enhances comprehension and retention of the information presented.