So much is written today that it's impossible to keep up with the new insights that emerge. Yet in the Information Age, understanding new ideas is required to stay on top of the situation. How is it possible.

Steps for Charting

1. Number the paragraphs in the article.
2. Draw a line on your paper (horizontally) and divide it into the same number of sections as there are paragraphs in the article.
3. Look quickly through the paper and note key words that catch you eye; list them on your chart under the appropriate paragraph numbers.
4. Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph and note two or three words that summarize it.
5. Draw a connection linking paragraphs that go together (above the number line).
6. Give a title to the grouping of paragraphs.
7. If there are more that three groupings, divide the groupings into two or three parts and give a title to each.
8. Give a new title to the whole paper.

Steps for Understanding

1. In your own words, summarize what the author is saying.
2. Say where you have experienced what the author is talking about.
3. Note what questions you would like to ask the author and what comments you would have to the author.
4. Draw a picture that describes what the paper is about.

This sample is a chart of a Peter Drucker paper titled "Beyond the Information Revolution" published in the Atlantic Monthly, October 1999:

You can use this method on a whole book by charting the table of contents, or you can use it on a particular chapter that you find important by charting the paragraphs. You can even use it on a single paragraph by charting the sentences! The method lets you get deeply into the author's thoughts and provides a foundation from which to draw you own interpretations and conclusions. Most charting practitioners also find that their recall of the article or book has also improved by using this method which draws upon both visual and linguistic intelligences.