Some books are also relatively complex, so making your own comments can guide you through the text when you read it a second time. But how to mark a book?
In this practical guide, we take a closer look at why marking books can be useful and how to do it in the right way.
Why Mark A Book?
From finding quotes to processing the information in the text, marking a book can be a quick way to return to a text without having to read the book again.
Here are some of the reasons why you may want to mark a book or teach your homeschooled child how to make annotations in their books.
You Learn Better
When you read a book and you come across phrases or words that you don’t understand, then you can look them up and make a note.
Next time you read the same words again later in the book, you will be able to remember what it means or go back to your annotations.
Plus, a child can also use any terms, phrases or idioms that they have learned in a book in their own essays, exams or writing.
Use It As A Reference
Many books come with a bibliography or a reference list that can inspire further reading. In addition, you can also make your own notes in the book of things you have learned.
This can help you extend your knowledge and make a book with annotations a true treasure trove of information.
Guidance For A Second Read
If the text has plenty of complex ideas and concepts, then it can be a good idea to read a book twice. Make sure that you add notes to any section you don’t understand.
This will help you go through the text much more quickly a second time and you will be able to grasp more details.
What You Need To Mark A Book
Before you start annotating, you will need a few essential tools, such as different colored pencils and highlighters.
Make sure that you choose colors that are legible. Highlighting colors should be a light color, so you can still see the text underneath.
If you don’t want to write in your book, then you can easily use sticky notes or tabs. You can use different colored sticky notes and even write on the notes themselves.
For e-books, you will need software that comes with an annotation or bookmark menu. You can then track your digital annotations without any problems.
Top Tips For Marking A Book
When you annotate a book, then you naturally develop your own individual marking style. This could be using different colors or symbols for different phrases or words.
Here are some of our best tips on how you can mark a book while reading.
Highlight Or Underline Words Or Phrases
The most popular way to mark a book is by highlighting a word or phrase in a color. You can also underline the terms with a pen or pencil.
When you find a phrase or key word that seems important to you, then just take your highlighter and mark it in a color.
Just keep in mind that important words should be highlighted or the text will look too difficult to read later.
Children who want to mark a book can use a rule to ensure that the highlighted area or underline is straight.
Work With Different Shapes
Similar to the highlighted sections, you can also use individual shapes, such as a circle or asterisk, to mark passages or recurring phrases.
We found that marking your shapes with numbers means that you can trace your notes easier as you continue to read through the book.
Use Braces And Brackets For Large Sections
If you want to highlight larger sections, then you don’t have to color in all the text with a highlighter. Instead, draw a brace or bracket around the important passage.
This is also a good way to note down any text sections that seem confusing or that you might want to discuss.
Use Punctuation Marks
Another way to add markings to a book is by simply using punctuation marks. For example, you can add a question mark next to a sentence that you didn’t understand.
An asterisk typically means that you don’t agree with the point made by the author and an exclamation mark indicates that this phrase or sentence is surprising.
Note Any Difficult Words
You can use a sticky note or the side margins of the book to note down any words that you need to look up in the dictionary and then check their meaning.
Don’t forget to write down the meaning in the book, so you know it for the next time you come across this word or phrase.
Make Comments In The Margins
Most books have plenty of space around the text, so readers can use this blank space to make note of any comments or questions they may have.
Create A Reading Index
In order to get a better understanding of each chapter and section in the book, it is a good idea for readers to create their own personal index of passages and pages.
Take Your Time
Marking a book slows down your reading, so it is important that you take your time and pay attention to the details mentioned in each section.
Avoid Distractions
Annotating a book can take some time because you need to fully engage with the text. This means that everyone who wants to mark their book needs to find a quiet space without distractions.
Final Thoughts
Making annotations and marks in a book is a great way for a child to keep track of his or her learning and any references they may want to use for their own writing.
Leave a comment