THURSDAY 24/04/25 – STUDY METHODS: EFFECTIVE READING AND ELABORATIVE INTERROGATION
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced learning environment, many students — and also their parents and teachers — wonder: What is the most effective way to study? Time is limited, expectations are high, and traditional methods like rereading or highlighting often fail to deliver the desired results.
The good news? Research points us toward smarter strategies. In this blog, we focus on effective reading techniques, with a special emphasis on elaborative interrogation — a simple strategy that transforms passive reading into active thinking and helps you remember, understand, and learn in a meaningful way.
General Description
Most students study by rereading, highlighting, or skimming — but these habits rarely lead to genuine understanding. A better approach? Elaborative Interrogation.
This strategy makes use of our natural curiosity by asking questions like:
“Why is this true?”
“Why would this happen?”
Instead of just reading “The hungry man got into the car,” you ask: “Why would he do that?” Your brain replies: “To go get food.” That’s how you create meaning — and meaning strengthens memory.
Research (Pressley et al., 1987; Willoughby & Wood, 1994) shows that students who explain information to themselves remember more than double compared to those who just read. It works by connecting new knowledge to prior knowledge and activating schemas in your brain — mental structures that help store and retrieve information more effectively.
Application for Students
Students don’t struggle because they don’t study — they struggle because they don’t study effectively. They reread chapters, highlight lines, and memorize facts — but these strategies offer little return. Elaborative interrogation changes the game.
Instead of rushing through reading, students should pause and ask “why” at key points. This switches the brain to active mode and encourages deeper processing by connecting new information to what they already know.
Research shows this improves memory, especially for recalling facts and linking concepts (like “who did what?”). It also helps distinguish between similar ideas — a crucial skill for test success.
You can use this method with textbooks, flashcards, or notes. Write your “why” questions and answers in a study notebook or say them out loud.
Even just one or two strong “why” questions per page can dramatically improve comprehension — and it won’t only help you with tomorrow’s test, but with learning that lasts a lifetime.
Five Study Tips Using Elaborative Interrogation
- Always ask “Why?” when you read something
Don’t just accept a fact — pause and ask:
“Why is this true?” or “Why would this happen?” - Explain out loud to yourself or someone else
For example: “The man got in the car to go get food.”
Speaking your thoughts helps strengthen your thinking. - Write short answers to your “Why” questions
Use a notebook. It helps organize your thinking and prepares you for tests. - Link facts to your own experiences or prior knowledge
Ask: “What do I already know that relates to this?”
The more connections you make, the easier it is to remember. - Focus on quality, not quantity
Don’t try to read everything at once. Read less, ask more.
One strong “why” question is worth more than ten quick rereads.
Summary
In short: Elaborative Interrogation is a simple but fantastic study method. By asking “Why is this fact true?” students learn to think critically, connect ideas, and strengthen memory. It works especially well when you already know a little — but it’s simple enough for anyone to try.
For students: Use it in your daily reading.
For parents: Ask your child to explain something to you — it builds understanding.
For teachers: Include “why” questions in lessons, homework, or assessments.
Let’s move away from memorizing — and move toward meaningful learning. Because true understanding doesn’t come from highlighting — it comes from thinking.
“Suffer now, smile later!”