The Top 3 Most Effective Ways to Take Notes While Reading
The most effective way to take notes while reading is to follow this simple three step process that I've tested and honed on over one thousand books.
«I rarely listen to books but if you are listening to a book, create a new note for that book and type in notes as you are listening»
More from Farnam Street
Tit For Tat
Tit for tat is a strategy which, according to game theory, is the most effective choice for iterated games based on mutual cooperation or defection.
«Under tit for tat, a player will begin by cooperating, then in subsequent iterations will replicate whatever their opponent did last time.»
Math Makes Life Beautiful.
Math has long been the language of science, engineering, and finance, but can math help you feel calm on a turbulent flight? Get a date? Make better decisions? Here are some heroic ways math shows up…
«Being curious about the world helps us find solutions to problems by bringing new knowledge to bear on old challenges. Math and physics are actually powerful tools for investigating the possibilities of what is out there.»
The Art of Being Alone
Loneliness has more to do with our perceptions than how much company we have. It’s just as possible to be painfully lonely surrounded by people as it is to be content with little social contact. Some…
«“Loneliness, longing, does not mean one has failed but simply that one is alive.” — Olivia Laing»
Focus to Win
Since focus requires saying no, it also means really smart people and good competitors are saying no to really good ideas.
«This sounds really simplistic, but it still shocks me how few people actually practice this, and it’s a struggle to practice, but is this issue of focus.»
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How to take notes while reading a book
When reading a book, taking notes interrupts our reading flow. There is a fine balance between taking too many notes and taking too few notes.
«Importing these ideas into my note-taking system is a way to create a dialogue between the authors whose work I have read.»
The Four Levels of Reading: Improve Skills One Level At A Time
How we read is as important as what we read. Mortimer Adler guides us through 4 levels of reading: elementary, inspectional, analytical, and syntopical.
«So half the battle of reading for understanding is to identify and select works from someone (or a group of people) who know more about a subject than we do.»
Seven Easy Habits to Read More Books Next Year
Reading books is one of the best habits you can create for yourself. Here are seven easy habits you can implement to finish more books next year.
«Reading is a habit of compounding growth. Learn more and you’ll generate ideas and enthusiasm for making other changes.»
Skim reading is the new normal. The effect on society is profound
When the reading brain skims texts, we don’t have time to grasp complexity, to understand another’s feelings or to perceive beauty. We need a new literacy for the digital age writes Maryanne Wolf, author of Reader, Come Home
How to Remember What You Read
The benefits of reading are negated if you forget remember what you read. This article discusses a tested system to increase retention. Learn how to use active reading to remember more from books.
«We shouldn’t read stuff we find boring. Life is far too short.»
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