Remember 33% More When You Read
Remember 33% More When You Read
Writing helps retain information.
The ideas for my articles come from a variety of places. It might be an article I read or a name in a book. Sometimes, it is one name mentioned in a police procedural book that leaves me to search for the case.
Books are the best place to find out about cases, and it is clear that I need to take notes on the books I read. I also read lots of fiction that I take notes on, but for different reasons. It is because there are many reasons to take notes that one system does not fit all.
It's worth getting this out of the way now; I write in my books. For me, it is a high compliment to authors to add to their words in the books. I also have an image of my children reading my books in later life and going through the journey with me.
Many people talk about how they take notes, but for me, it is slightly different for every book. I urge you to read this article and adopt a method that works for your reading/writing.
One of the things that many marginalia users forget is the enjoyment of the book is the first aim of any reader. For this matter, the notes have to be easy to do without distracting the reader from the reading. As I read each chapter, I mark exciting passages with a post-it. That is it.
After finishing that chapter, I return to the post-it notes and add the concept. This can be one of the symbols I use to mark certain features or a simple explanation, a few words in the margin. It wasn't important if I can't remember why I put a post it.
The symbols I use are Q for a quote, either underlined or the paragraph marked. A star for a wow moments and a question mark if I need to think about something on a deeper level. I also put a box around names I want to look into further. Lastly, I identify themes with a triangle. To mark a page with notes, I fold the bottom corner over. Well, I write in books; I might as well fold pages. 😂
After finishing the book, I go through my second pass, transfer any notes, and add coloured Post-it notes to define themes.
This is how I take notes for 90% of my reading.
However, there are odd books I need to study in-depth, such as those on police procedure, that I read much slower, taking notes as I go through. There are also novels I want to enjoy where I use Post-it notes to identify the passage but don't go back to look at them until I finish.
You have to find a method that works for you. I hope that is the message that comes through in this newsletter. I show you ways to work, but the best system is that you design yourselves for your needs.
It doesn't matter if you can describe this method or not as long as it works for you.
How do you take notes?
If you enjoy this email, please share it so more readers can find it.
Until next week stay safe
Sam 😊
Quote of the week
In the marginalia ... we talk only to ourselves; we therefore talk freshly - boldly - originally - with abandonment - without conceit. - Edgar Allan Poe
Short-Story of the week
I think this is one of the best short- stories I have written and it was all inspired after a train ride with my daughter, where I spied an abandoned carnival.
