valence e-: e- in the outermost energy level (ring).
Groups 1A-8A tell you how many v.e- in each column. D-block elements all have two v.e-
Each dot represents the number of v.e- for that element. There should never be more than 8 dots around any atom.
Remember, v.e- are electrons in the
outermost energy level.
Find the highest energy level and circle
the number of electrons in that energy level.
Could have more than one circle depending
on if the configuration has multiple sublevels
for the highest energy level.
Start at the element you are trying to figure out and go
backwards on the periodic table until you hit the first noble gas
element (column 8A). That will be the starting point of the
configuration. Finish the configuration from that point like normal.