Try this with the next book you read: use an index card for a bookmark and have a pen handy. Use them to:
Record words you don't know (then look up when you're able).- Write out quotations you like.
- Write down page numbers with paragraphs you'd like to go back and re-read; include a few words to prompt your recall.
- Pen thoughts or questions stimulated from the text.
Today I picked up a book my daughter and I are both reading, and I noticed she had an index card stuffed between the page; it had a few of the items listed above on it. She explained she had done this for a report (I thought she must do this all the time), but I thought it was BRILLIANT!
Particularly when I read non-fiction, I always have a pen in hand to highlight thought I want to absorb; it helps me track better with content that's less than exciting (but important to read). This trick seemed one step better--because I highlight a fair amount, brief notes on a card would help me remember a few points from the book and focus narrowly on thoughts I wanted to retain when I was done.
I suppose you could do this with fiction, too--there are plenty of quotes worth remembering and sharing from any substantive novel. For students, I suppose it could help with homework...but for an old dog like yours truly? It's a trick I'll be trying...tomorrow! :)
