If you have your own book, you may consider underlining or highlighting key words or phrases that relate to the main idea. Many readers also make notes in the margins of their books. There are different types of notes. Some of these include: questions, answers, relationships, or highlights. A reader might write a question in the margin about material they do not understand with the purpose of finding the answer later. Answers to the questions they listed during the pre-reading process can be written in the margins, making them easier to find later. A reader might also make notes about parts of the material that are related to previous readings or knowledge. Important facts or details might also be highlighted in the margins. Of course if the book you are using needs to be returned, you will need to make notes on your own paper.

You have read actively and critically. You may have read the material several times. You found all of the answers to your questions, and you have looked up the meanings of new words. You must be done, right? Well, not quite. Remember your goal for reading is to understand and to remember. Well most people lose part of their understanding and memory if they stop the reading process now. It is time to move to the post-reading process.