Underlining is actively reading, which enhances comprehension.
Underlining, when properly done, will:

1. Force you to concentrate by the mere act of searching for the answer to the question made from the sub-headings.
2. Help you to easily find information to review or put into written notes.
3. Help you to see the organization of facts and their relationship.
4. Be an efficient way to find and learn meanings of new words.
5. Demonstrate whether or not you understood the material.
6. Save hours of study/review time.
   

GUIDELINES
TECHNIQUES
MARKING TEXTBOOKS

Guidelines

Finish reading before marking!
Rationale: Prevents you from underlining the same ideas restated. Prevents you from underlining too much.

Be extremely selective.Get the main point.
Rationale: Too much underlining overloads your memory.

Use your own words.  Summarize certain things in your own words.
Rationale: Your own words help keep it in your memory better. Jot them in the margins so they will trigger your memory with the ideas on the page.

Be brief.  Underline phrases, not the whole sentences.
Rationale: Easier to use when you recite and review.

Be swift. Read rapidly first, then scan for a mini-overview and make your markings.
Rationale: Keeps marking at a minimum to save time.

Be neat.
Rationale: Neatness encourages you and saves time since ideas will be easily and clearly perceived.

Organize facts and ideas under categories.

Rationale: Items in categories are far easier to remember than random facts and ideas.

Techniques

Underline the main idea of the paragraph and put a vertical line in the margin beside supporting details.

Circle new words and underline the definition. Should the definition come further down in the paragraph, just draw the line from the circle through the paragraph and connect it to the definition. When you re-read, your eyes will pick up the new word and follow your line to the definition.

HINT: Copy the new word onto the front of a 3x5 index card; write definition on the back side. Practice with the cards.

Marking Textbooks

Underlining and Marking texts are fraternal twins; they work together to help you win the scores you want in your class!

Marking textbooks includes:

• Writing summary words or phrases in the margins. This pulls together ideas and puts them in your own words.

• Numbering lists of ideas, causes, steps, reasons, etc.

1. Underline the appropriate phrase.

2. Write the number in the margin (not within the body of the text)... Be careful to write all numbers in the same margin.

3.  When re-reading, these numbers will serve as an outline.

• Using asterisks (*) for important points which were emphasized by the teacher.

• Placing question marks (?) next to confusing passages so you may get more information later.

• Placing a "T" beside a possible test item.