Margin Notation.
I’ve added to my reading list recently. A link from the Design Observer turned me on to a seminal work by Rolland Barthes. Despite the author’s conversational writing style, there are a few points in his discussions of the semiotics of signs that require careful accounting. Especially the interrelated qualities, making his dissection of visual-verbal language a tricky nut to crack.

A Visible Language article from the early 80s suggests a Sign-Object-Interpretant theory as a circular (non-linear) process. The Object defines the Sign. The Sign interprets the nature of the Interpretant. The Interpretant (audience) contextualizes the Sign, and so on. The article describes a framework that is a combination of Barthes' theory on signs and another text by the author on the reflexive nature of Myth.

I’ve taken notes before, but now find it difficult to keep up in a non-scholastic context. So I’ve stepped up my defacement of books to a new level: margin notations. Quickly locate passages in subsequent readings. The unintended consequence is discovery in re-reading. The most notable 'lines' are my changing apetites for assertions of fact or the author's inconsistentcy. Better still, later readings benefit where the text can be re-read from the discovery point, rather than re-engaging the author from the beginning of the paragraph. Here are a few marks I’ve been using, presented for your amusement.

Basic Facts:
(B) Bibliography. A bibliography note is for a citation within the text, where the author gives credit to others.

(Q) Quote. This is any text that stands by itself—to quote the author. I primarily use it for noun combinations the author uses as the main “character” of their arguement.

The Reading:
(>) Point. Any time the author begins a line of reasoning, or creates a foundation of an arguement, this mark locates the citation in the text.

(+N) Subsequent Points where N is a number. To further draw out the author’s intentions, any details supporting the main point can be marked with this notation.

Personal Interest:
(X) Treasure. Any point, fact, or assertion that is personally relevant can me marked with an X. Dig here! The measure of a good book is of course how many Xs it has.

(—) Minus or Objection. Any assertion or fact made by the author that is blatantly incorrect, illogical, or out dated is indicated with the minus. This mark can be combined with other marks to indicate conflict in the reading.

Measure of it.
All I’ve ever encountered in reading other people’s books are gross underlines of passages or highlight marker. It always gets in the way of future readings and dammages the book’s value. Pencil is, of course, the only way to mark a book (if at all); Any librarian will say as much.