🤔 The Problem
📝
When you read a source, you can't underline EVERYTHING.
So how do you pick the BEST details?
✅ The "Could I Use This?" Test
🧪
Before you underline, ask yourself:
"Could I put this exact detail in MY essay?"
If YES ➜ Underline it! 📝
If NO ➜ Keep reading for something better 👀
🎯 Which Would YOU Underline?
A
"Owls have good eyes that help them see."
B
"Owls' huge eyes take up most of their skull and can see in almost complete darkness."
🤔 Think... Which has more SPECIFIC details?
🎯 Which Would YOU Underline?
A
"The midnight zone starts at 1,000 meters deep, where pressure is 1,000 times stronger than at the surface."
B
"The midnight zone is really dark and deep."
🌊 Ocean Zones example—which has SPECIFIC details?
✅ Option A Wins!
🏆
"The midnight zone starts at 1,000 meters deep, where pressure is 1,000 times stronger than at the surface."
Why it's stronger:
✓ "1,000 meters" = specific depth (a NUMBER!)
✓ "1,000 times stronger" = specific comparison
✓ "Really dark and deep" tells us NOTHING specific!
🎯 Which Would YOU Underline?
A
"Arcade games were really popular back in the old days."
B
"In 1982, arcade games earned $8 billion—more than movies and music combined."
🎮 Video Games example—which could you USE in an essay?
🎯 One More! Which Would YOU Underline?
A
"The Arctic fox changes from brown to white in winter, becoming nearly invisible against the snow."
B
"Some animals can change colors to hide from enemies."
🦎 Animal Adaptations example—which is MORE specific?
📝 When You Annotate Today...
🔢
Underline numbers and statistics
📌
Underline specific examples (names, places)
🗣️
Underline expert quotes
🚫
SKIP vague statements like "really good" or "very big"