Academic Texts: Reviewing

Reviewing is the final stage in the academic reading process.  All the other steps you’ve taken while reading–previewing, active reading, and summarizing–put the content into your head.  Reviewing helps seal it in place, and makes sure it stays accessible when you need the information later.

You can use a variety of strategies to review:

  • quiz yourself using your questions
  • review a chapter map you made while previewing or actively reading
  • expand the map
  • create vocabulary cards
  • recall the information in writing or out loud

As you review, monitor your learning.

  • What do you know well?
  • What still needs reinforcement?

Reviewing in Action

The following section shows what it looks like to review a text, using the summary notes this reader took in previous reading steps.

In the days after I finish reading the chapter, I need to actively review the information and start to learn it well. Since I used the two-column note taking method while I was reading, I decide to quiz myself by covering the right side of my note page and asking myself the questions on the left. If possible, I recite my response aloud or write the answer on a scrap of paper. Then I check my answer against my notes. If I recall the answer correctly, I give myself a checkmark (✓); if incorrect, I give myself an X (✘).

What is a Mistake in contract law?
  • Legal definition: a circumstance where parties to a contract have entered an agreement that doesn’t reflect the parties’ actual intentions. ✓
    • occurs if parties have a false idea about an important element or didn’t agree about a key term of the contract. ✘

Example of a Mistake?
  • Ex., if seller offers to sell car to buyer at a certain price but then recognizes the car was underpriced after the sale was complete, the court would not nullify the agreement based on mistake. ✘
    • Seller cannot prove to the court a state of mind when offer was made. ✘
    • Exception: if conditions are clearly out of line, the court may rule in favour of seller unless there was negligence on seller’s part. ✘

I work through the remainder of my notes in the same way. I repeat this process over several study sessions since I know I won’t have mastered the material after looking at it only once or twice! After a number of review periods, I am able to clearly see which areas I know and where I still need work.

What is a Mistake in contract law?
  • Legal definition: a circumstance where parties to a contract have entered an agreement that doesn’t reflect the parties’ actual intentions. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
    • occurs if parties have a false idea about an important element or didn’t agree about a key term of the contract. ✘ ✘ ✓ ✓

Example of a Mistake?
  • Ex., if seller offers to sell car to buyer at a certain price but then recognizes the car was underpriced after the sale was complete, the court would not nullify the agreement based on mistake. ✘ ✓ ✓ ✓
    • Seller cannot prove to the court a state of mind when offer was made. ✘ ✓ ✓ ✓
    • Exception: if conditions are clearly out of line, the court may rule in favour of seller unless there was negligence on seller’s part. ✘ ✘ ✓ ✓

For variety in my study periods, I might also use my chapter map to test my recall of ideas. I might focus on one major topic and try to recall the sub-points and details related to that topic. Alternatively, I might put a section of the map, such as “Misrepresentation,” onto another page and expand the details there. I might also create vocabulary cards for specific terminology that I need to know. I can easily carry a bundle of cards with me and review when I have a few spare minutes.

Sample vocab card:

Front of card

MISTAKE

(in contract law)

Back of card

Definition: a circumstance where parties to a contract have entered an agreement that doesn’t reflect the parties’ actual intentions.

  • Ex., if seller offers to sell car to buyer at a certain price but then recognizes the car was underpriced after the sale was complete, the court would not nullify the agreement based on mistake.

These different review methods will help me to thoroughly understand and learn my course material. Regular review will also help me monitor my learning, helping me identify what I know well and what still needs work.