Morse Code Method

This method involves marking main ideas and supporting details as you read and returning to these sentences later to turn them into notes.  

Advantages  

• Does not interrupt the flow of reading  

• Useful if there are minimal sections or headings in your reading  

• Fast method of reading  

Disadvantages  

• Requires re-organizing and consolidating information after the reading 

• There is less analysis in this method and more capturing of factual information. You can combat this by including a summary at the end of your notes.  

Steps 

1. While reading, put a dot next to a main idea (usually this is found in the first 1-2 sentences of a paragraph or first few sentences in a section). This method can be adapted to highlighting the main idea with a particular colour (i.e. yellow).

2. While reading, put a dash next to supporting information for the main idea you identified. This method can be adapted to highlighting supporting points/evidence with a particular colour (i.e. green).

3. Continue to mark main ideas with dots and supporting points/evidence with dashes until you finish the reading. 

4. When you finish your reading, go through the dots and dashes and organize this information into notes. The outline method lends itself well to this.  

5. Once you have gathered and organized your information, try to summarize the key concepts or take-aways from your notes.

Example

Image Description: picture of a journal article with yellow and green highlighted sentences.  Red pen marks of a long dash or a dot are indicated beside the sentences, illustrating the Morse Code method.