It requires a little redundancy, but here's what I do: I read the entire paragraph. THEN I compress that paragraph's thoughts into a sentence or two. When I was in college and at the Culinary Institute of America, it was a little different. I had the luxury of “study buddies”. We were a small group of guys (about 4 to 6) in the same classes with the same professors and Chef-Instructors. About once every week or so we would get together and “compare notes”. When two or more would have just about the same notes on a particular topic, We knew it was important enough for all of us to have some knowledge and/or notes about that topic. When only one of us had notes about a topic, it was either disregarded or we would sort of “brainstorm” about the importance of that topic. Many times the notes were disregarded. Sometimes the notes were added or supplemented to the notes we already had. Generally, our notes were pretty thorough and covered each lecture or class. Thanks for asking your Q! I enjoyed answering it! VTY, Ron Berue Yes, that is my real last name! Sources: My wonderful family! Some observations and personal opinions. Graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, New Haven, CT campus. Was in the Food and Beverage business over 26 years. "THE University of Hard Knocks" also known as ("a/k/a") "life's valuable lessons".