Roofing shingle with a laying line

A method of applying multiple courses of shingles on a roof comprising the steps of:

• providing an underlying shingle having a front surface with a laying line positioned thereon, the laying line being defined by a near edge and a far edge;
• coupling said underlying shingle to said roof to form at least a portion of a first course;
• laying a first overlying shingle on at least a portion of said underlying shingle so that a leading edge of said first overlying shingle is positioned in proximity with said near edge of said laying line, said first overlying shingle including:
• at least one nib having an apex and protruding from said leading edge of said first overlying shingle wherein said nib has substantially the same width as said laying line, and
• positioning said apex of said first nib so that it extends to said far edge of said laying line;
• coupling said first overlying shingle to said roof, wherein said laying line is exposed when said leading edge of said first overlying shingle is placed in contacting proximity with said near edge of said laying line;
• providing a second overlying shingle having a trailing edge;
• laying said second overlying shingle on at least a portion of said underlying shingle so that said trailing edge of said second overlying shingle is positioned in contacting proximity with said far edge of said laying line;
• wherein said laying line of said underlying shingle is visible when said trailing edge of said second overlying shingle is positioned in contacting proximity with said far edge of said laying line;
• wherein the second overlying shingle includes at least one second nib having an apex and protruding from said trailing edge of said second overlying shingle, and a scale having at least two intervally-spaced markings positioned on a front surface of said second overlying shingle;
• aligning at least a portion of said scale on said first and second overlying shingles with a top edge of said underlying shingle;
• aligning said first nib with a portion of said scale on said second overlying shingle;
• and
• aligning said second nib with a portion of said scale on said first overlying shingle prior to coupling said first and second overlying shingles to said roof.