A paper-first reading field guide
Track a Definition Through a Nonfiction Book
Record the first definition in your own words, then log only pages that narrow, expand, or contradict it. End with the definition you can support, plus any unresolved edge case.
A term often changes as an argument develops. Saving only its first appearance can freeze an incomplete meaning.
Step 1
Capture the first usable meaning
Paraphrase the term and record the page. If the author gives no definition, label yours provisional.
- TERM: ____
- FIRST MEANING: ____
- PAGE: ____
Step 2
Log only meaningful changes
Mark later pages with one change verb.
- narrows
- expands
- qualifies
- contradicts
Step 3
Test an edge case
Write one example that may or may not fit. The edge case reveals whether the definition is useful.
- EDGE CASE: ____________________
Step 4
Write the supported version
At the end, write the strongest definition the pages support and list any unresolved boundary.