Keep these key points in mind while studying with textbooks, special readings, or lecture materials

Remember: "5W-H"

The first four of these are matters of fact. The last two involve factual information but also take thoughtful analysis. Therefore the last two are the most difficult to pin down--and the most important for understanding events.

Who?

Names of key persons and brief identifying material.

What?

Events--wars, strikes, disasters, inaugurations

Documents--treaties, constitutions, books

Culture groups--formal and informal--labor unions, population migrations, religions, literary genres, political parties

When?

Dates, of course, but also names of periods (Progressive era, Age of Jackson). Remember that events can be located on the timeline by relative references: prior to WWII, in the antebellum era, the last quarter of the Eighteenth century.

Where?

Know the locations of events. Be able to find them on a map. Notice the effect of the physical geography on the life of a region.

Why?

This one can be straightforward--the Whiskey rebellion was a response to the excise tax--but look for deep causes, too.

How?

This relates to "why" and carries the same need to look past the obvious for any subtle points that might be missed in a careless reading.