How to Mark a Book by Mortimer Adler
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In Mortimer Adlers “How to Mark a Book” he encourages readers to not only read between the lines but write between the lines, I couldnt agree more. There is a Chinese proverb that says “Tell me and Ill forget, show me and Ill remember, involve me and Ill understand”. With that being said, I believe that getting directly involved with the text is the best way to fully understand it.
Full ownership comes only when you have made it a part of yourself, and the best way to make yourself a part of it is by writing in it. An illustration may make the point clear. You buy a beefsteak and transfer it from the butchers icebox to your own. But you do not own the beefsteak in the most important sense until you consume it and get it into your bloodstream. I am arguing that books, too, must be absorbed in your bloodstream to do you any good. (Adler)
Since a young age, most people were taught that writing in a book is an absurd and disorderly thing. We were taught to value books, treat them with care and keep them in the best condition as possible. No cracks, tears, creases and definitely not any writing besides the words that came printed. But when you see beyond the cliché this method proves itself to be brilliant. We usually take notes on subjects that they wish to reflect back on for future reference. Professors and school systems around the world encourage students to take notes. By writing down they key moments of a lecture students can actively read and retain more information. I believe that the same concept applies when reading books. By underlining, highlighting or circling words within a text, it allows the brain to visually see the key points.
There are all kinds of devices for marking a book intelligently and fruitfully.
1. Underlining: of major points, of important or forceful statements.
2. Vertical lines at the margin: to emphasize a statement already underlined.
3. Star, asterisk, or other doo-dad at the margin.
4. Numbers in the margin: to indicate the sequence of points the author makes in developing a single argument.
5. Numbers of other pages in the margin: to indicate where else in the book the author made points relevant to the point marked; to tie up the ideas in a book, which, though they may be separated by many pages, belong together.
6. Circling of key words or phrases.
7. Writing in the margin, or at the top or bottom of the page, for the sake of: recording questions. (Adler)
There isnt a more clear and concise way of reading than to mark up the text. Time and time again it has been proven that humans are a very visual species. When it comes