Lecture #9: How to Read so that you *Retain* Information

Summary

This video script advocates for a methodical approach to reading that enhances retention and understanding. The speaker, a philosophy professor, introduces a specific version of marginalia, where readers actively summarize each paragraph in one sentence, and for every third paragraph, synthesize a summary of previous content. This technique is contrasted with passive reading and speed reading, which are deemed ineffective. The script emphasizes the importance of engaging with the material to ensure long-term retention, using the example of remembering the definition of economics from a college course 15 years prior.

Takeaways

• 📚 Marginalia is a technique for enhancing reading comprehension and retention by writing notes in the margins of a text.
• 🤔 The script emphasizes the importance of actively engaging with the material through summarization to understand and remember the content.
• 📝 The recommended procedure for effective marginalia involves summarizing each paragraph in one sentence and connecting ideas across paragraphs.
• 🔄 For paragraphs three onwards, the first sentence in the margin should summarize the previous paragraphs, while the second summarizes the current one.
• 🚀 This method of reading is likened to muscle memory in driving, where the process becomes automatic and less engaging, which is counterproductive for learning.
• ⏱ The script argues that while this method may take longer initially, it is more time-efficient in the long run as it reduces the need for cramming.
• 💡 Summarizing in the margins forces the reader to think through the material, which is essential for understanding and retention.
• 📉 The script provides a hypothetical comparison of the efficiency of passive reading versus active marginalia, showing the latter's superiority in understanding and grades.
• 🎓 The speaker's personal experience and academic success are attributed to this method, highlighting its effectiveness over traditional reading approaches.
• 🏁 Speed reading techniques are criticized as ineffective and scams, with scientific studies showing no benefits over careful, slow reading.
• 🧠 The power of retention is demonstrated through the speaker's recollection of a definition learned 15 years ago, underscoring the effectiveness of engaging with material through marginalia.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to introduce a specific method of taking marginalia notes to enhance the retention and understanding of the material being read.

What is marginalia and how does it relate to the reading process?

Marginalia refers to the notes written in the margins of a printed work. In the context of the script, it is used as a method to interact with the text by summarizing paragraphs in the margins, which aids in understanding and retaining the information.

Why is it important to summarize the text in one's own words in the margins?

Summarizing in one's own words forces the reader to engage with the semantic content of the text, which means they have to understand the meaning of the words and ideas in order to condense them into a single sentence.

How does the procedure of taking marginalia notes as described in the script work?

The procedure involves reading a paragraph and then writing a one-sentence summary in the margin. For every third paragraph and beyond, the first sentence in the margin summarizes the previous paragraphs, and the second sentence summarizes the current paragraph.

What is the advantage of using this marginalia method over just passively reading the text?

This method promotes active engagement with the text, which leads to better understanding and retention. It also provides a quick reference for reviewing the main points of the text without having to reread the entire material.

Why does the script emphasize the inefficiency of speed reading techniques?

The script emphasizes that speed reading techniques do not improve understanding and retention, as they often involve skimming or superficial reading, which does not allow for deep processing of the material.

What is the speaker's educational background as mentioned in the script?

The speaker is a professor of philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with an undergraduate degree, a master's degree, and a PhD, mentioning attendance at Williams College, Oxford, Cambridge, and Berkeley.

How does the speaker demonstrate the effectiveness of the marginalia method?

The speaker demonstrates the effectiveness of the marginalia method by sharing his personal experiences and academic success, which he attributes to this method of note-taking and engagement with the text.

What is the 'pop quiz' question mentioned at the end of the script, and what does it aim to assess?

The 'pop quiz' question is 'What is economics?' It aims to assess whether the viewer has absorbed and retained the information shared in the script, specifically the definition of economics as the study of the allocation of scarce resources.

What is the speaker's stance on speed reading courses and their effectiveness?

The speaker is highly critical of speed reading courses, stating that they are scams and do not lead to better understanding or retention of information, based on his personal experience and scientific research.