8.2.1 Study Skills Notes, Quizzes & Revision
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8.2.1 Study Skills — Notes for English (Reading)
Age group: 15 (Kenyan context). These notes link reading study skills to the grammar you need for effective paraphrasing, summarising and note-making.
Specific learning outcomes covered
- a) Use the SQ4R technique, summary, and note-making skills for study purposes.
- b) Analyse visual information in a reading context.
- c) Make notes based on texts they have read.
- d) Paraphrase information from varied descriptive texts (focus on grammar tools).
- e) Summarise information from varied descriptive texts or articles to enhance understanding.
- f) Appreciate the need for research in learning.
- g) Identify SQ4R, paraphrasing, summarising, and note-making as categories of study skills.
1. SQ4R — A reading study technique
SQ4R helps structure reading for study. Use it before exams, for class assignments or when researching topics (e.g., Kenyan environment, history, current affairs).
- S — Survey: Skim headings, subheadings, captions, and visuals. (Grammar tip: note noun phrases used in headings.)
- Q — Question: Turn headings into questions. (Grammar tip: ensure correct question word order — e.g., "How does rainfall affect harvest?" not "How rainfall affect?")
- R — Read: Read actively to answer your questions. Mark key verbs, subjects and objects.
- R — Recite: Say key points aloud in your own words. Use present simple for general facts: "Maize prices rise in the dry season."
- R — Record: Make notes (phrases, bullets, Cornell method). Use grammar-friendly shorthand (see Note-making below).
- R — Review: Check your notes, paraphrase and test recall regularly.
2. Note-making formats (quick guide)
Good notes are short, accurate and use grammatical patterns that make later paraphrasing and summarising easier.
- Cornell method: Left column = cues/questions. Right column = brief notes (noun phrases, dates, facts). Bottom = summary sentence(s).
- Outline/bullets: Main point → supporting points (use phrases, not full sentences).
- Two-column (Fact / Source): Useful when researching (source = article title, date, page).
Example (notes from a short article about school feeding):
- Main: School feeding improves attendance
- Why: reduces hunger → better concentration
- Evidence: 15% rise in attendance in County X (2023)
- Source: Daily Nation summary, Mar 2023
3. Paraphrasing — grammar tools and practice
Paraphrasing uses different grammar and vocabulary to express the same idea. Key grammar tools:
- Synonyms and word forms: change verbs to nouns (nominalisation): "The government introduced new rules" → "The introduction of new rules by the government..."
- Change sentence structure: active ↔ passive: "Farmers sell maize" → "Maize is sold by farmers."
- Use relative clauses: combine short sentences: "The school is in Kisumu. The school provides meals." → "The school in Kisumu, which provides meals, has better attendance."
- Tense consistency: keep past events in past tense, general truths in present simple.
- Reporting verbs: said, claimed, reported, noted — useful when paraphrasing news or interviews.
Quick exercise:
- Original: "Many students arrive at school hungry and cannot concentrate."
- Paraphrase example: "A large number of pupils come to school without breakfast and struggle to focus."
4. Summarising — grammar and technique
Summaries shorten text to main ideas. Grammar tips to make a clear summary:
- Use noun phrases and simple present/past tense for facts. ("The study shows..." or "The study showed...")
- Combine ideas with linking words: however, therefore, as a result, although.
- Avoid examples, long quotes and minor details; keep one-sentence or short-paragraph main points.
- Use passive voice sparingly to focus on facts rather than actors: "Attendance increased by 15%."
From the earlier note (school feeding) — 2-sentence summary:
"A 2023 study in County X found that school feeding programmes increased attendance by 15%. Improved nutrition led to better concentration and higher participation in class."
5. Analysing visual information (charts, maps, photos)
When reading visuals, focus on labels, units, trends and captions. Grammar helps describe visuals clearly.
- Use verbs for trends: rise, fall, increase, decrease, remain steady.
- Use comparative forms and prepositions: "between 2018 and 2022, enrollment rose from 45% to 60%."
- Use figures and percentages with clear phrasing: "Enrollment increased by 15 percentage points."
- Describe a map or photo using location words (north, along, near) and present participles: "A river running through the village supplies water to farms."
Example sentence for a bar chart:
"The bar chart shows that maize production in County A decreased between 2019 and 2021, whereas County B saw a slight increase."
6. Research and source awareness
Good study relies on checking facts and sources. For Kenyan topics, use reliable national sources (government reports, reputable newspapers like Daily Nation or The Standard, research by universities). Grammar skills help cite and report findings:
- Use reporting verbs: "According to the Ministry of Education (2022),...".
- When summarising research, keep tense and reporting consistent: "A 2022 report indicated that..."
- Record source details in notes: title, author, date, page or URL.
7. Classroom activities (Kenyan, age 15)
- Group SQ4R: Give groups a short Kenyan newspaper article. Each group completes SQ4R steps and shares a 2-sentence summary.
- Paraphrase relay: Students rewrite a paragraph from a school textbook using synonyms, passive voice, or relative clauses; compare results.
- Visual description: Provide a simple rainfall or maize production graph for two counties. Students write 3 sentences describing trends using comparatives and percentages.
- Note-making test: Read a 300-word passage (e.g., about reforestation in Kenya). Make Cornell notes in 10 minutes and produce a 50-word summary.
- Research task: Find one short report online about a Kenyan education project; record source; prepare one-paragraph summary using reporting verbs.
8. Quick grammar checklist for study skills
- Keep tense consistent in a paraphrase or summary.
- Prefer concise noun phrases in notes (e.g., "lower rainfall, food shortage").
- Use linking words to show cause, contrast and result.
- Use passive voice to focus on events; active voice for actors.
- Use reporting verbs when summarising sources.
9. Short practice set (answers below)
- Paraphrase: "The government built new classrooms to reduce overcrowding."
- Summarise in one sentence: A short paragraph about a charity providing school uniforms and the effect on attendance.
- Describe trend: "In 2018 enrollment was 55%; in 2021 it rose to 70%." — write one comparative sentence.
- Note-making: Read a short paragraph in class and write 3 bullet notes (use noun phrases).
Answers (model):
- Paraphrase: "New classrooms were constructed by the government to ease overcrowding."
- Summary example: "The charity supplied uniforms, which improved attendance among needy pupils."
- Trend sentence: "Enrollment increased from 55% in 2018 to 70% in 2021, showing a significant rise."
- Note-making example: "New clinic opened — better health; shorter travel time; attendance up 10%."
Final checklist for learners (self-assessment)
- I can use SQ4R on a textbook chapter.
- I can record clear notes using Cornell or bullet format.
- I can paraphrase sentences using grammar tools (passive, relative clauses, nominalisation).
- I can write a short summary (one or two sentences) of a passage.
- I can describe simple visuals using correct tense and comparative language.
- I record and cite sources when researching.
Prepared for Kenyan Form 3 learners (age 15). Use class texts, local reports and newspapers to practise.