Writing Book 4 · Lesson 4

Notes from a text you read

Taking notes from text is different from taking them from speech: you control the pace.

What it is

Reading gives you an advantage listening does not: you can go back. Use it. Read the paragraph through with your pen DOWN, decide what it said, then write. Notes taken while your eyes are still moving turn into copying.

Watch it built

1
Read the whole paragraph. Do not write yet.
(pen down)
2
Close your eyes or look away and say what it said.
It said roots grow toward water.
3
Write that, in your own words, as a phrase.
roots grow toward water — not straight down
Remember
Pen down while reading. Look away. Then write, in your words.
Ask yourself: “Have I copied, or have I chosen?”

Remember

Notes from a page, not from a voice.

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