With a Pencil in Hand (Or what we do is as important as what we say)

It's Sunday evening and everyone is lying low. No screens. I noticed my son was holding a pencil as he was reading his nonfiction book. "Are you...taking notes in the margins?" I asked. I didn't want to make him feel self-conscious about it but I was curious. "Hmm, I guess," he shared nonchalantly.

I often have a pen or pencil in hand when I'm reading. Part of it is because I read more nonfiction and professional resources than fiction (something I am working on). Mostly though, I respond to my books in writing because it is the best way I know how to remember the key ideas.

What is the right way? My most current approach is to highlight no more than 5-7 words and write no more than 5-7 words in the margins in response to the highlight. This seems to be aligned with the idea that we cannot remember more than that amount, at least short term. Also, I no longer use an actual highlighter. A pencil or pen is preferred. I want what I deem as important to not stand out so much that I ignore the context around it.

I thought about sharing this strategy with him. Would he listen? More importantly, would it work for him?

Instead I saved my comment, storing it away for another day and time. I was happy enough that he saw the benefits of this practice, that what I am doing might be having an influence on his reading life. It's okay to leave well enough alone (and try to read more fiction myself).