Recitation: A Strategy for All Occasions

There is one study strategy that is extremely helpful in just about all learning situations - RECITATION. 

Recitation means to restate in your own words from memory.

This is so powerful because you are practicing recalling the information just as you would on an exam or when you need the knowledge on the job.  It is much better that just rereading your textbook assignments or passively reviewing your lecture notes.

Here are some ways you can use recitation in your studying:

• When reading, pause and recite what you have just read without looking.  If you can do this, move forward.  If not, go back and reread and then try again.
• When reviewing lecture notes, read a section, close your notebook and see if you can recite what you just reviewed.  As above, move forward if you can, review again if you cannot.
• When using study cards, read the front of the card, think about what is on the back, then check yourself.  If you are correct, set the card aside.  If you are incorrect, put the card in a separate pile and go through those until you get them all correct.  Tomorrow, go through them again!
• In math, practice doing problems without referring to your notes or book, then check your answers and procedures.
• When learning a second language, be sure to practice recalling the new words, don't just "look over then."
• If you have made a review chart, cover the information and see what you can remember.

Some of my students in the past have misspelled this word and written "resuscitation" which means to revive from apparent death.  In a sense this is correct - using recitation can revive your studying and give your learning new life!

NOW - practice recitation.  Close this screen and see what you can remember about what you have read.  Then check your recall.  Good luck!