BigBook.study — Highlighting & Annotation Guide (SPA)

How to use this guide

Navigate: Use the collapsible menu on the left to explore the guide. Each category (Overview, Step tools, Practice & Review, Advanced tools) can be expanded or collapsed. Click a link to jump straight to that section.
Top bar tools: The header houses actions like printing/exporting or importing your work and backing up your progress. A small gear icon opens a settings panel where you can toggle compact mode, switch between alternate color palettes, enable private mode and choose a theme. Use these controls to tailor the guide to your preferences.
Color‑coded marking: On your first pass, simply read for flow. On subsequent passes, start marking text according to the color legend: begin with Problems → Solutions, then add Directions/Actions and Promises/Results. Later passes can include Warnings, Principles, Definitions, Prayers/Meditations, Inventory Questions and Step tags.
Deepen your practice: Explore the Step tools to work through Steps 4–12, and use the Practice & Review tools (flashcards, check‑ins, analytics, tracker, reading plan, quiz and more) to reinforce your learning. Advanced tools provide powerful ways to search, drill, import data and collaborate.

Tip: Explore each section at your own pace—collapse menus when not in use to keep the interface clean. Use the settings gear to customize themes and palettes for comfort and accessibility.

Color legend (highlighter)

8 core categories. Click a hex code to copy. Margin codes help keep notes consistent.

Optional add‑ons: Step Tags (S1…S12), Sponsor Tips (SPN), History (HIS)

Underline & markup key

Single solid underline → Action to take.

Double solid underline → Strong imperative / “must/never”.

Wavy underline → Warning / caution.

Dashed underline → Definition / concept.

Dotted underline → Question for inventory or meditation.

[Square brackets] → Qualifiers (if/when/except) that change meaning.

(Parentheses) → Edition notes, cross‑refs, or step numbers (e.g., (S4), (S9)).

Box around a phrase → Promise/result worth memorizing.

Choose 2–3 underline types you’ll actually use. Consistency beats complexity.

Margin symbols (fast cues)

★ Promise

! Warning / don’t skip

▶ Start of an instruction sequence

☑ Checklist item completed

? Inventory question to answer later

Ⓟ Prayer Ⓜ Meditation

✦ Spiritual principle to practice today

↺ Repeat daily

⊕ Share with sponsee / meeting

What to look for (by category)

Problems (Orange): self‑centeredness, fear, dishonesty, resentment; “the way I used to manage life”; subtle self‑reliance.
Solutions (Purple): surrender, reliance on HP, inventory, confession, amends, service, continued practice.
Directions (Blue): sequences (before/then/next/followed by), checklists, precise instructions.
Promises (Gold): “we will/are/feel/know…”, sanity, freedom, usefulness, peace.
Warnings (Magenta): “if we… (don’t / insist / refuse) → trouble”; common detours; half‑measures.
Definitions (Teal): what alcoholism is/is not; spiritual experience vs. awakening; the purpose of each Step.
Prayers/Meditations (Sky): “we ask…”, “thy will…”, pause‑and‑ask moments.
Inventory Questions (Green): who/what/where was I selfish, dishonest, self‑seeking, frightened? what harms? what amends?

Analog study framework (printable)

Prefer studying from a physical book? Use this guide to replicate the digital color‑coding and annotation system in your own Big Book using pens and highlighters. Each category below corresponds to a color so you can quickly spot themes.

Color codes

Category	Marker color	What to mark
The Problem	Red/Pink	Powerlessness, craving, obsession, unmanageability
The Solution	Blue	Higher Power, spiritual awakening, reliance on God
The Program	Green	The Twelve Steps and actions to practice them
The Result/Promises	Yellow	Freedom from fear, peace of mind, new purpose
Personal Resonance	Purple	“Aha!” moments or lines that speak to you personally
Spiritual Principles	Teal	Virtues such as honesty, humility and willingness
Practical Actions	Orange	Daily tasks like prayer, meditation and helping others
Disease Description	Coral	Descriptions of the physical allergy and mental obsession
Fellowship & Support	Lime	Mentions of sponsors, meetings or shared experience

Margin & underline symbols

Single underline: Direct instruction or action to take.
Double underline: Strong imperative – “must” or “never”.
Wavy underline: Warnings, pitfalls or spiritual dangers.
Dashed underline: Definitions or important concepts.
Dotted underline: Inventory or meditation questions.
* (asterisk): Character defect such as resentment, fear or selfishness.
[Square brackets]: Link actions to promised results (if/when → then).
cf. p. #: Cross–reference other pages with related ideas.
? Question for discussion or further study.

Suggested supplies

Gather a set of colored highlighters or pencils corresponding to the categories above, a fine‑tip pen for underlining, and a ruler if you like neat lines. Use the margins of your Big Book to jot brief summaries or symbols. Keep a separate notebook for longer reflections.

Tip: These colors and symbols mirror the digital guide. Feel free to adapt the palette or choose fewer colors to keep your system simple and consistent.

Step & practice mapping

S1–S3: Admission, decision, turning.

S4–S5: Inventory & confession.

S6–S7: Willingness & humility.

S8–S9: Amends list & action.

S10–S11: Daily inventory, prayer, meditation.

S12: Carrying the message & practicing principles.

Daily tools (label with D): D‑Pause‑Ask, D‑Spot‑Inventory, D‑Amends‑Prompt, D‑Prayer, D‑Meditation, D‑Service.

A simple marking workflow

Box the central sentence of a paragraph (often the thesis).
Highlight each clause by category (colors above).
Underline the action words; double‑underline “must/never/always.”
Add a margin summary (≤7 words) and one symbol.
If it’s actionable, write a today‑statement (e.g., “Today I will call X and make an amends plan”).

Consistency checklist

Space for your custom codes

Color → Category Underline style → Meaning Symbol → Meaning

Highlight sampler

Your formatted text will preview here…

Category color

Underline style

Add box

Box this phrase (promise/result)

Quick insert

Step 4 worksheet

Quickly record your resentments, fears and sex conduct. Fill in the quick add form for each category and click Add. Your lists are stored in your browser. Export each category to CSV or all together to Markdown.

Resentments

Fears

Sex Conduct

Daily streak

Step 8/9 amends planner

Record amends you need to make, assess severity and readiness, and plan your next action. Entries persist in your browser.

Always consult your sponsor before making an amends. Safety first.

Flashcards

Review your key concepts and "My part" insights. Flip each card to reveal the answer.

Cards generated from your Step‑4 “My part” phrases and definitions.

Daily check‑ins

Set an intention in the morning and review your day in the evening. Entries are stored per‑day and displayed as a streak.

Morning intention

Evening review

Analytics

Visualize your usage patterns. Data is stored locally and updated in real time.

Edition / Excerpt compare

Paste two excerpts to see differences highlighted. Added words are green; removed words are red.

Palette tuner & CVD simulator

Preview your palette under different filters and nudge hues to improve accessibility.

Promise tracker

Mark promises you’ve experienced and journal your reflections. Track your progress as you go.

0/0 promises completed

Step 10 Spot Inventory

Use this tool to quickly log inventory entries during your day.

Step 11 Prayer & Meditation Planner

Define your morning and evening practices, set reminders and log insights.

Morning practices

Evening practices

Insights

Morning reminder time

Evening reminder time

Find Everything

Search across Step 4, Amends, Check‑ins and Promises.

Tagging Drill

Paste a paragraph and practice tagging sentences with categories.

Group session tools

Manage a speaking queue and timers for group discussions. People added here remain local to your device until cleared.

Step 5 Session Helper

Run a timed 15‑minute sharing session. You’ll be gently notified at 5, 10 and 15 minutes. Afterwards, jot down anything you missed.

Step 6/7 Defect → Principle Mapper

Select a common defect to see suggested opposing principles and a personalized Step‑7 prayer.

Step 12 Service Tracker

Log simple acts of service and see your totals.

Reading Plan Builder

Create a 30‑day reading plan with titles or topics. Check them off as you go and export to an .ics calendar file.

Recall Quiz from Notes

Auto‑generate fill‑in‑the‑blank questions from your Step‑4 “My part” phrases.

Version Snapshots

Save a snapshot of your data and compare two snapshots for differences.

CSV Import

Import Step‑4 or Amends data from a CSV file.

Choose CSV

Emergency Plan

Define your urge protocol and use the grounding timer when cravings hit.

Accessibility Options

Adjust the font size and enable high‑contrast mode for better readability.

Font size: 16px

High contrast mode

AA Slogans

AA slogans are concise expressions of wisdom that help members remember and apply the program’s core principles. Below are a few of the most widely used slogans along with their meaning:

One Day at a Time

Focuses on staying sober for just today, easing anxiety about a lifetime of abstinence and encouraging mindful, manageable actions.

Easy Does It

Reminds us to practice patience and not rush the recovery process; progress is gradual and sustainable.

Let Go and Let God

Encourages surrendering control over things beyond our power and trusting a Higher Power (however one understands it).

Progress, Not Perfection

Emphasizes continuous improvement rather than striving for an unattainable ideal of flawlessness.

Keep It Simple

Urges members not to overcomplicate recovery—stick to the basics of the program and avoid overthinking.

Other Key Slogans

First Things First; Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes; Faith Without Works Is Dead; I Am an Alcoholic; This Too Shall Pass; To Thine Own Self Be True; Keep Coming Back; It Works if You Work It; Stick With the Winners. These succinct reminders distill complex principles into memorable phrases.

AA Language Guide

The AA fellowship has its own lexicon of acronyms and insider phrases that act as mnemonic tools and shorthand for its concepts. Here are a few examples:

Acronym	Meanings
AA	Absolute Abstinence; Attitude Adjustment; Altruistic Action
ABC	Acceptance, Belief, Change; Ashtrays, Broom, Coffee
ACTION	Any Change Toward Improving One’s Nature; Any Change To Improve Our Natures
HALT	Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired — a reminder to check basic needs before reacting.
HOW	Honesty, Open‑mindedness, Willingness — key attitudes for recovery.
FEAR	False Evidence Appearing Real; Face Everything And Recover
GOD	Good Orderly Direction; Gift Of Desperation
THINK	The Happiness I Never Knew; Try Honesty It Never Kills
KISS	Keep It Simple (and Sane); Keep It Spiritually Simple
YET	You’re Eligible Too — a reminder that relapse can happen to anyone

There are dozens more acronyms (e.g., GOD: Good Orderly Direction, FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real) and insider phrases (e.g., “Keep coming back,” “Easy does it,” “One day at a time”). These shorthand expressions serve as quick reminders of the program’s principles and are often heard in meetings. For a deeper dive into the rich language of AA, consult official literature or experienced members.

Essential AA Phrases

Beyond acronyms and slogans, Alcoholics Anonymous is rich with phrases that capture hard‑won wisdom. These sayings are heard in meetings and day‑to‑day recovery conversations. A handful of memorable examples include:

Phrase / Term	Meaning and Usage
Think, Think, Think	Encourages reflection and consideration of consequences before acting impulsively.
Do the next right thing	Practical guidance for daily living: take immediate ethical actions even when the bigger picture is unclear.
Fake it till you make it	Adopting recovery behaviours even without conviction can eventually lead to genuine change.
Life on life’s terms	Accept reality as it is instead of trying to control situations beyond one’s power.
One drink is too many, and a thousand is never enough	Reflects the powerlessness at the core of alcoholism: even a single drink can trigger a relapse.
Attitude of gratitude	Fosters a positive outlook by focusing on gratitude for sobriety and daily blessings.
Change is a process, not an event	Reinforces the ongoing, continuous nature of recovery and personal growth.
You are not responsible for your first thought, but you are responsible for your first action	Distinguishes between intrusive thoughts or urges and conscious choices, empowering individuals to choose differently.
It’s a simple program for complicated people	Acknowledges that while members may feel complex and conflicted, AA’s principles remain straightforward and effective.

These are just a few of the sayings you might hear in meetings. Countless other expressions — from “Ninety in Ninety” to “Turn it over” — circulate among members and serve as quick reminders to stay grounded in recovery.