Major topics covered in the book include:
* Organizing Information (alphabetizing, outlining, reading timelines, taking notes)
* Reading and Interpreting Illustrated Information (maps, graphs, charts, tables)
* Skills for Better Reading (skimming and scanning, vocabulary strategies, determining the main idea)
* Research Strategies (avoiding plagiarism, using the Internet)
A list of the many skills taught is provided in the front of the book.
Study Skills for Success emphasizes skill building through practice, as the lessons on each topic contain a plethora of tips and several exercises. A review lesson caps the end of each section of the textbook, and the final lesson of the book reviews the major skills taught. Appendixes include various abbreviations and conversion tables.