Master your reading: How to use the KWL method effectively

When diving into a new text, having a structured approach can significantly enhance your understanding and retention.

The KWL method is a simple yet powerful strategy that organizes your reading process into three stages: What you Know, what you Want to know, and what you Learned.

This method, developed by Donna Ogle in 1986, is designed to help you actively engage with the material. Originally intended for use in study groups, it’s equally effective when adapted for solo study.

This article will guide you through each stage of the KWL method, show you how to incorporate visual aids, and answer key questions about this method’s purpose, effectiveness, and applications.

What is the KWL method?

The KWL method is a reading and learning strategy designed to help students and readers engage more deeply with the material they are studying.

The acronym stands for Know, Want to know, and Learned, representing the three stages of the method.

This approach encourages readers to tap into their prior knowledge, set clear learning goals, and reflect on what they’ve learned.

It’s a versatile tool that can be used across various subjects and is particularly effective in a classroom or study group setting, though it can also be adapted for individual use.

KWL method overview

Here’s a quick look at how the KWL method works:

Stage	Description	Example Tasks
Know	Identify what you already know about the topic before reading.	Brainstorm keywords, terms, or concepts; Organize into categories.
Want	List what you want to learn about the topic.	Preview text; Formulate questions based on gaps in knowledge.
Learned	Reflect on what you’ve learned after reading.	Answer questions; Note down new information and insights.
(Optional) How	Plan how to further your understanding and continue learning.	Pose new questions; Identify additional resources for deeper learning.

Why use the KWL method?

The KWL method transforms passive reading into an active learning process.

By encouraging you to reflect on what you already know, set goals for what you want to learn, and then reflect on what you’ve actually learned, this method helps improve comprehension and retention.

It also helps in organizing thoughts and making connections between new information and existing knowledge.

Ultimately, the KWL method makes the learning process more interactive, engaging, and effective.

How to apply each stage of the KWL method

Let’s dive deeper into how you can implement each stage of the KWL method in your reading and learning:

1. What we know

The first stage of the KWL method is all about activating your prior knowledge. Before you start reading, take some time to reflect on what you already know about the subject. This stage sets a foundation for new information and helps you build a scaffold for learning.

Tasks to complete:

• Brainstorm: List any keywords, terms, or phrases that come to mind when you think about the topic.
• Organize: Group these ideas into broad categories to clarify your understanding.
• Discussion (optional): If working in a group, share your thoughts and engage in a discussion about the topic. This can reveal additional insights you might have missed.

Visual Tip: Use a mind map or bullet points to organize your ideas. Here’s an example of what this might look like:

• Topic: Climate Change
  • Causes: Greenhouse gases, deforestation, industrial pollution
  • Effects: Rising temperatures, melting ice caps, extreme weather

2. What we want to know

In the second stage, focus on what you want to discover about the topic. This step helps you set clear learning goals and ensures that your reading is purposeful.

Tasks to complete:

• Preview the text: Skim through the table of contents, headings, images, and charts to get a sense of the material.
• Formulate questions: Based on your preview and your knowledge from the first stage, write down questions in the “W” column of your chart. These questions should address gaps in your knowledge and guide your reading.
• Prioritize: Rank your questions by importance to help focus your attention during reading.

Example Questions:

• What are the main contributors to climate change?
• How does climate change affect biodiversity?
• What are the potential solutions to combat climate change?

Visual Tip: Create a simple chart to track your questions and categorize them by topic or importance. This can look something like this:

Question	Importance	Topic
What are the main contributors to climate change?	High	Causes
How does climate change affect biodiversity?	Medium	Effects
What are the potential solutions to combat climate change?	High	Solutions

3. What we learned

The final stage is where the learning happens. As you read, or after you’ve finished, revisit your questions and note down the answers. This step ensures that you reflect on and solidify your new knowledge.

Tasks to complete:

• Answer your questions: Go through the questions in your “W” column and write down what you’ve learned in the “L” column.
• Highlight key points: Use symbols or color-coding to identify main ideas, surprising information, and areas of confusion.
• Reflect: Compare what you’ve learned with what you initially knew and wanted to know. Are there any gaps still? Did the text answer all your questions?

Visual Tip: Use a simple checkmark system or symbols to track your progress. For example:

• ✅ Key point
• ❓ Confusing or unclear information
• 💡 Surprising fact

4. Go beyond: Add an H

To further enrich your learning experience, consider adding a fourth column: How. This extension encourages you to think about how you can continue learning and where to find additional resources.

Tasks to complete:

• Pose new questions: After completing your reading, identify any unanswered questions or new topics of interest.
• Identify resources: List other sources of information, such as articles, experts, websites, or documentaries, that can help you delve deeper into the topic.

Example Expansion:

• New Question: How can renewable energy sources be more widely implemented?
• Resources: Research articles, environmental organizations, government policies, expert interviews

Visual Tip: Extend your original chart to include this new “H” column, helping you track your learning journey beyond the initial reading.

Question	Importance	Topic	How
What are the main contributors to climate change?	High	Causes	Research scientific journals
How does climate change affect biodiversity?	Medium	Effects	Watch documentaries on biodiversity
What are the potential solutions to combat climate change?	High	Solutions	Read government policy papers

What makes the KWL method different from other reading strategies?

The KWL method stands out because of its simplicity and adaptability.

Unlike some strategies that are more rigid, KWL can be easily modified to fit the needs of different learners, subjects, and learning environments.

It’s also highly interactive, encouraging discussion in group settings and introspection when used individually.

Another key difference is the emphasis on prior knowledge, which helps anchor new information, making it easier to understand and remember.

The method’s structure—starting with what you know, moving to what you want to know, and concluding with what you’ve learned—ensures a comprehensive learning experience.

Does the KWL method promote critical thinking?

Yes, the KWL method is designed to promote critical thinking.

By requiring you to generate questions in the “W” stage, you’re not just passively absorbing information but actively engaging with the content.

This process involves analyzing what you know, identifying gaps in your understanding, and evaluating the new information you acquire.

Additionally, the reflection in the “L” stage encourages you to critically assess whether the material met your learning objectives and to think about what further questions or topics you might explore.

This continuous loop of questioning, learning, and reflecting is the essence of critical thinking.

Who uses the KWL method?

The KWL method is widely used by students, educators, and lifelong learners across various disciplines.

It’s a common tool in K-12 education, particularly in subjects like reading, science, and social studies, where it helps students organize their thoughts and make connections between new and existing knowledge.

Teachers often use KWL charts in the classroom to facilitate group discussions and guide lessons.

However, the method is not limited to young learners; it’s also used in higher education and professional training settings, where it aids in the structured exploration of complex topics.

Final thoughts

The KWL method is more than just a reading strategy—it’s a tool for deep, active learning.

By organizing your thoughts, setting clear learning goals, and reflecting on what you’ve learned, you can make any reading experience more meaningful and productive.

Adding visual aids like charts, bullet points, and symbols not only makes the process more engaging but also helps you track your progress in a clear and structured way.

Whether you’re preparing for an exam, writing a paper, or just exploring a new topic, the KWL method can help you achieve a deeper understanding and greater retention of the material.