Well-made reading notes will keep you from having to read the same text twice,
as you already have highlighted important passages and noted key points the first time.
While taking notes you reflect upon what you’ve read, which improves
understanding and engages your prior knowledge of the subject.
Simply put; you can write notes in the margin
–if it’s your own copy, of course.
Note what the passage is about
and if you have further questions you need to check up on or ask your
teacher about.
You can also highlight important words or sentences.
This enables you to quickly find relevant
passages or topics later on.
Be careful not to highlight too much.
As a rule of thumb, you should only mark what is essential:
key terms, concepts, definitions and conclusions.
Remember: Quality rather that quantity.
A little goes a long way.
If you want to advance your reading notes system,
you can use color-coding or post-its to indicate
essential pages or chapters.
Finally, you can decide to write a short resumé.
But of course, that depends on your purpose with reading the text.
It might not be necessary.