A Great Rule for Great Books Students (GB Favor)

Yesterday, I, along with some of the other Great Books students, watched orientation videos to learn how to best succeed in the program. One of Great Books’ “rules” is for students to mark in the books they’re given. Underlining phrases, putting asterisks in the margins, circling words, and writing notes are all encouraged and helps one read actively. 

Question marks drawn out beside difficult passages usually turn into great interpretive questions because students are genuinely confused about what they’re reading. 

Although I didn’t like to write in my books at first when I was in GB 1 last year, I noticed within a few weeks that my attention was held better, interpretive questions were easier to find, and I remembered more of the book whenever I marked up pages.