STEP ONE: MARK THE TEXT
Highlighting
- Draw square blocks around the thesis and main points of the argument,
- Underline key supporting points,
- Circle key terms or vocabulary words and write the word in the margin,
- Number anything that indicates a sequence or steps.
Annotating
Here are some things you may want to write in the margins as you read:
- Key concepts defined. Write an abbreviated definition,
- Key relationships—cause-effect, problem-solution, sequence, etc.,
- Short phrases explaining why a section was highlighted (underlined, circled, etc.),
- References to other parts of the text “connects to…on page…”,
- Questions, Predictions, Clarifications,
- Summaries – 3-5 words,
- Write longer summaries at the ends of sections,
- Leave Breadcrumbs – list topics, subtopics, themes in the left-hand margin. This creates a trail of breadcrumbs, making reviewing easier and creating the opportunity to make connections among the different parts of the text.
- Create a glossary of key
words as you read. Every time you read a word you don’t know that seems
important, write it down in your glossary. Be sure to write the page number and
very short definition by each word in the glossary.
Capture Your Interacting Voice. It’s important to capture your first reading impressions in the margins. Many of these will be connected to your highlighting. This can be a connection you made to another part of the text, another text or your personal life. Maybe it’s something that you agree or disagree with. Maybe it’s a question you have related to the writer’s position or the content. Or it may be about the author’s style or technique. See the cognitive reading strategies card for more ways to track your interacting voice.
Ask Questions. At the end of each paragraph or section, write a question in the margin that you can use to quiz yourself later. You can also do this at the beginning of a section by turning the section heading into a question.
Write Summaries. Write a summary for each section of the reading you complete. Force yourself to keep the summary brief and write only about the key points you highlighted. A good rule of thumb is the 10 percent rule. Keep the length of your summary to no more than 10 percent of your notes.
STEP 2: TAKING NOTES ON NOTES
A recent study conducted by Princeton University revealed that students who do not review their notes within 24 hours of taking them forget as much as 50 percent. It’s worse if you’re taking notes on a lecture. Research suggests that students can forget as much as 75 percent of information from a lecture. Taking notes on notes not only allows you to review your notes, but it helps you develop a deeper understanding the information. Look through your annotations and:
- Make an outline of the reading or create your own table of contents,
- Rewrite your notes and add key points you may have missed,
- Exchange notes with a classmate,
- Transfer your notes to a graphic organizer,
- Create a glossary of key words to add to the end of the reading. Be sure to include page numbers and brief definition,
- Create an index,
- Record all of your annotations and notes into a new polished notebook,
- Create a glossary of key words to add to the end of the reading. Be sure to include page numbers and brief definition.
STEP 3: TESTING WHAT YOU KNOW
You can test yourself throughout a reading or at the end. If it’s a longer reading, you may want to do both. You can test yourself by:
- Create quizzes (self quizzes or peer quizzes),
- Create question flash cards of key points (not online),
- Create vocabulary flash cards,
- Write a summary of the reading—an abstract,
- Get out a blank piece of paper and write down everything they remember without looking at the notes,
- Talk to a friend or parent and explain the key concepts