Lesson 2 | Observe Carefully
Markup Lens: Attention Getters
Where should you begin when making observations from a passage? There could be any number of good answers to that question, but the first lens in the Markup module offers a simple starting place: whatever grabs your attention.
1. Highlight 1–3 terms or phrases that capture your attention
- Use a different color for each.
- Keep your highlights focused on the essential word or phrase.
2. Add a succinct label for each color
- Keep labels short enough to fit in the available space.
3. Highlight related details in matching colors
- Don’t underline whole verses, but rather just the key words or phrases to be unpacked in your notes.
- Look for any details that help define, elaborate, support, repeat, or contrast the primary highlights.
4. Use dot notes to record observations
- Every markup should contribute to at least one dot note.
- A single dot note could have several bullet points.
How Much Should I Markup?
Should I stay focused on just a few points of interest, or aim to capture everything? Recognize the value of both paths. On the one hand, staying focused helps keep your study sharp and uncluttered. On the other hand, you want to sniff out all potentially important details.
Ultimately, the goal is to see as much as possible. Herein is the benefit of having multiple lenses within the Markup module. Each lens has its own particular point of focus, so among them you will find an appropriate place to highlight and record all your observations. Therefore, keep in mind that this lens is for attention getters; it is not for theological themes, notes on the context, or everything related to the commands in the passage, etc. There will be a distinct lens for each of these. As you become familiar with each lens, you will likely come to see through multiple lenses at the same time and thus add markups and notes in the lens that fits those observations best. For now, while you are learning, we encourage you to stay focused on 1–3 attention getters.
An Important Note: If the passage is familiar to you, we encourage you to come with fresh eyes, assuming you have not seen all that the Scripture has to offer. Prayerfully look for 1-3 new observations of the text for your attention getters.