Write the term and its context
When a word interrupts your reading, record the sentence in which it appears before trying to define it. A word such as hand may describe the cards someone holds or a round of play. Context helps you decide which meaning the author intends. Keep the source page title beside your note so that you can return to the explanation.
Separate the definition from the example
Give each entry a short definition, followed by a separate example. For suit, a definition can describe a symbol group; an example can name hearts. Do not define the entire category by one example. Add a contrast when it helps: colour is an appearance shared by some suits, while suit is the group itself.
Keep uncertainty visible
If you are unsure about a meaning, mark the entry as a question instead of turning a guess into a fact. Write what would resolve it, such as checking the source's notation key. A useful glossary can contain open questions. Its purpose is to support careful reading, not to make every line look finished.
Review by explaining in your own words
After reading the source again, close it and try to explain the word in a new sentence. Compare that sentence with the original meaning, then correct any missing condition. Keep quotations distinct from your own explanation. If you share the notes, include the source link and avoid reproducing long passages. Short, accurate entries are easier to revise than copied paragraphs.
Questions and answers
Should every unfamiliar word become an entry?
Start with words needed to understand the page. A small glossary that you revisit can be more useful than a long list you never check.
Can one word have two definitions?
Yes. Label the contexts separately rather than forcing different meanings into a single sentence.
Must I translate every abbreviation?
No. You can keep an abbreviation and explain its meaning in your preferred language. State the notation key clearly.