PLAN Instruction

David C. Caverly (2006)

PLAN is a study-reading strategy that build upon current knowledge of predicting, engaging prior knowledge, metacognition, and remembering research. In this strategy, you will perform four steps (Preview, Locate, Add, and Note) which will guide you through effective study reading through most textbooks.

P = Preview Step

Before you begin reading, you should PREVIEW (or survey) the text by reading the title, subtitles, highlighted words, charts, maps, tables, and pictures, as well as the introduction and summary. As you are previewing, create a tentative semantic map of the concepts you are finding as you see I did in the sample map.

Click on the sample Semantic map to see what this might look.

Let's see how this works with a sample textbook chapter in the box to the right. To create a map for this chapter you would first read the title and add that to the top point of your map.

Next, you would add the major subtitles, like this where we add one and this where we add the remainder.

Then, the minor subtitles like this where we add one and this where we add the remainder.

Then, the minor subtitles like this where we add one and this where we add the remainder.

Then, the highlighted words like this where we add one and this where we add the remainder.

Eventually, you get a complete map.

L = Locate

Next, LOCATE on this map those concepts that you think you think you know and those that you don't. This will engage your prior knowledge.

For those concepts you know, place a checkmark (√) next to them.

Then, do the same for the other concepts that you know.

For those concepts that you don't know, place a question mark (?) next to those concepts.

Then, add the other concepts that you don't know.

You now know where you have to read to learn more (those concepts with ?) and where you can read to confirm (those concepts with √).

back to the beginning

A = Add

Now, as you are reading, ADD new branches on to your map for those ideas you didn't know and confirm those branches for those ideas you thought you knew. If you cannot add or confirm a branch, re-read that section of text again.

See how we have added branches onto this example map in the top window.

back to the beginning

N = Note

After reading the entire text, you should NOTE whether you satisfied your task or purpose for reading. If you read to be able to reproduce information on a test, try re-creating the map from memory. Check back to see which branches and sub-branches you left off and then try to reproduce it once again until you are fairly accurate.

If your purpose for reading was to reconstruct the text on an essay, then try to create a summary of the entire text in your own words. Again, check the completeness and conciseness of your summary against your map.

Continue to see an example summary.

back to the beginning

Caverly, D.C., Mandeville, T.F., & Nicholson, S.A. (1995). PLAN: A study reading strategy for informational text. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 39(3), 190-199.