A paper-first reading field guide
Choose What to Carry Forward After a Chapter
Sort chapter notes into closed, background, and carry forward. Keep only one carry-forward question visible at the next reading session; the other notes remain indexed but inactive.
When every note stays active, the next chapter starts with too much mental load. A simple filter restores priority.
Step 1
Anchor the location
Record the page or chapter before interpreting the moment. Add the current reading boundary when later knowledge could change the note.
Step 2
Closed
Mark questions the chapter has adequately answered as closed.
Step 3
Background
Keep useful context indexed but out of the active reading cue.
Step 4
Carry forward: one
Choose the one unresolved thread most likely to shape the next chapter.