Study Guide:
Marking a Textbook vs.
Taking Chapter Notes

Skillful, purposeful marking of your textbook is much more useful than taking copious chapter notes. In fact, it is the most efficient aid for retention and review that you can devise. A well-marked chapter can be reviewed in less than half the time it would take to re-read it entirely, and your review will be far more effective.

The main points, main supporting details, the relationship between ideas, all jump to the eye; you don't need to re-study unless you can't recall the meaning of a marked passage. In that case, you quickly skim to refresh your memory.

It has been shown that the student who takes lengthy, detailed chapter notes is an inefficient student. He/she could spend less time and get more out of it by applying the SQ3R method to the textbook and then marking the important points and making brief notes right in the book.

Of course, to be an effective aid to review, the marking must be done in a methodical purposeful way.

Many students read, pencil in hand, and simply underline anything that seems important or interesting at the time. This actively keeps them busy and may help them concentrate, but unfortunately it is no help later on. Bear in mind, then, that your markings are your guide to review.

Here are some hints on how to become a successful textbook marker:

WAIT to start marking until you have read and thoroughly understood the chapter or a significant portion of it. Then GO BACK and mark the MAIN POINTS in any fashion you choose, so long as it is consistent; underlining, Roman numerals in the margin, key words in the margin, etc
Be sure to indicate not only the main ideas but the relationships between them. Doing this may require you to scrawl a word or two in the margin, or use little arrows to connect points, or use a series of numbers and letters, or circle key transitional words. Identify cause and effect, steps in a process, significant contrasts, etc. in this way
If you feel you also need to note subordinate points and key details, such as the proofs the author advances for a given generalization, note them economically, for instance with little circled numbers, combined with the barest minimum of underlining of key words.
Use a variety of marks, use them consistently. You may want to underline main ideas, circle important names and dates, or use brackets and marginal notes for an entire key paragraph.
Summary words or phrases in the margin, or at the top or bottom of the page, are helpful. In a well organized text, you can with practice, formally outline the chapters right in the margins, with Roman numerals and letters and a word or two of comment.
Use the inside front or back covers to keep a running glossary of formulas, terminology, etc. and the page numbers on which they are defined.
Whatever system you use, (you will work out your own system depending on the nature of the course and the textbook), DON'T OVERDO IT. Don't mark up the page just to convince yourself that you are studying. Make your marks simple and have a good reason for every mark you make. On sheets of paper that are smaller than the pages of the book, write long thoughts or summaries; then insert them between the pages.
It is a good idea, if you have time, to review your markings immediately after you finish the assignment, before you close your book. This retards the inevitable forgetting, and leaves you with the main points in mind.

If you still feel the need for separate written chapter notes, you can take your notes from your own textbook markings, and that way you will avoid writing down too much. There are three basic forms for taking notes: the paragraph; the sentence format; and the standard outline. Each is described in turn in the following paragraphs.

The Paragraph Format

Form of taking notes -- form is important -- provides organization, major points, minor points, relationships, details. Paragraph form -- easiest, poorest, write until idea changes, then begin a new paragraph. Sentence Form -- more difficult than Paragraph Form, better series of numbered statements. Standard Outline Form -- best for organization, most difficult; uses Roman numerals, letters, numbers, indentation to show organization. Notes for your guidance. Decimal Outline Form -- like Standard Outline only uses decimal system, complex. Dash Outline Form -- also like Standard Outline, but uses dashes instead of symbols; good organization, simple. Preferable: Standard Outline.

The Sentence Format

The form of taking notes is important.
It provides organization by showing major point, minor points, their relationship to each other, and details.
The paragraph form is the easiest to use and the poorest.
For the paragraph form you write as a paragraph until the idea changes.
The sentence form, a little more difficult and a little better, is a series of numbered statements.
The Standard Outline form is the best organization and the most difficult to follow.
It uses Roman numerals, letters, numbers, and various types of indentation.
Remember that notes are for your guidance only.

Standard Outline Format

I. Form of taking notes

A. Form is important

B. Form provides organization

a. Major points

b. minor points

c. relationship between them

d. details

II. Comparison of forms

A. Paragraph form

1. Easiest

2. poorest

B. Sentence form

1. more difficult

2. better

C. Standard outline form

1. best organization

2. most difficult

Decimal Outline Format

1. Form of taking notes

1.1 Form of note-taking is important

1.2 It provide organization

1.21 Organization is based on major points, minor points, the relationship between them and details

1.3 Paragraph form

1.31 this is the easiest to take, but the least useful.

1.32 You write until the idea changes, then you begin a new paragraph.

1.4 Sentence form

1.41 This is more difficult, but also better.

1.42 You use a series of numbered statements.

Dash Outline Format

-- Form of taking notes: -- important because it provides organization; -- major points, minor points, relationships between them, details
-- Paragraph form: -- easiest, but poorest; -- write until idea changes; begin new paragraph
-- Sentence form: -- more difficult; -- series of numbered statements
-- Standard outline form: -- best for organization, but most difficult

Study Guide:
Introduction

Study Guide:
Survey, Question, Three R