Final answer:
Elena is using the reading strategy of summarizing, which involves actively condensing main ideas into a brief written form in one's own words. This technique is crucial for understanding and retaining the material read.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elena is performing the reading strategy of summarizing when she jots down a few sentences in her notebook that capture her reading's main ideas and takeaways. Summarizing involves condensing the main points of a text into a concise version in one's own words. It requires active engagement with the material, where Elena might annotate the text, outline relevant parts, and reflect on the content to draw out the essential information. This process is distinct from other reading strategies such as previewing, which is looking at material before reading in depth; reviewing, which is going back over the material after reading; and just reading, which is the act of going through the text without necessarily focusing on summarization.
Keeping a reading journal can be a useful way to practice summarization, as it allows for active engagement with the text by writing down summaries and asking questions about the material being read. By summarizing, readers like Elena can enhance their understanding and retention of the reading material, making it an essential skill for effective learning. Additionally, summaries provide a way to review key concepts later, which can be especially helpful when preparing for tests or writing essays.