Note-taking from Books

I. Goal - To isolate main ideas, clarify, understand, and summarize.

II. Techniques

Write down author, title, source, date (if relevant), and page numbers.

Preview or skim full chapter or section of text

1. Note boldfaced words or headings, picture captions, and use as guides.
2. Look at the big picture.

Break text into meaningful, short passages (chunks).

Read first passage.

1. Underline only key information. If you own the book, write comments or notes in the margins.
2. Identify topic sentences; put in your own words.
3. List and define relevant vocabulary.
4. Diagram sequences of events (e.g., timelines, charts, tables).
5. Draw and label concepts.
6. Use abbreviations and symbols.

Summarize that passage in one or two phrases or sentences.

Follow same procedures for the remaining passages.

Summarize full chapter or section of text.