How to Mark a Book
As outlined in Adler, MJ (1940) How to Mark a Book.
- Underline key points or forceful arguments
- Vertical line in the margins to emphasise a point that has already been underlined
- An asterisk in the margin to mark the ten or twenty most important statements in the book.
- Numbers in the margin to indicate the sequence of points the author makes in the development of an argument.
- Numbers of other pages to indicate where else in the book the author makes points relevant to this stement or argument.
- Circle key words or phrases
- Writing in the margin to record questions you had about the passage or reducing complex points to a simple statement.
- Use the end pages to create an index of the authors key points in order of appearance.
- Use the front pages to write an outline or summary of the book from your own understanding.
Planted: Monday 30 June 2025
Last tended: Monday 30 June 2025