I found the best way to take book notes

Summary

In this video, philosopher Jared Henderson shares his effective method for remembering what you read from books. He emphasizes the importance of active reading through minimal annotations and avoiding common mistakes like over-annotating or writing too much in the margins. Henderson then suggests exporting annotations to note cards, sorting them, and actively reflecting on the material by teaching or writing letters to authors. This process transforms learning into an ongoing activity, ensuring better retention and understanding of the content.

Takeaways

• 📚 Taking notes while reading is essential for retaining information, applicable to both fiction and non-fiction genres.
• ✏️ Over-annotating can be counterproductive; minimal and focused annotations are more effective for future reference.
• 🔍 Different annotation symbols (e.g., underlining, circling, bracketing) can provide more context and clarity compared to simple highlighting.
• 💭 Writing lengthy notes in the margins can be confusing; concise notes or symbols are preferable for clarity and future review.
• 🏷 Using sticky tabs to flag annotations is a helpful method to quickly locate important sections for review.
• 🗣️ Speaking aloud or discussing ideas can be a useful way to process and remember what you've read, especially when on the go.
• 💼 Exporting annotations to note cards is a crucial step for consolidating and reviewing key points from the book.
• 🔄 Manually copying quotes and annotations into note cards or an app reinforces memory and understanding, avoiding over-reliance on automation.
• 🔍 Sorting note cards into themes helps in synthesizing ideas and understanding the book's structure or argument.
• 🤔 Active reflection, such as writing lesson plans or letters to authors, is a powerful method for internalizing and applying the knowledge gained from reading.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of taking book notes according to Jared Henderson?

The main purpose of taking book notes, as per Jared Henderson, is to remember and understand what you read, which is crucial for any kind of literature, including philosophy, non-fiction, and fiction.

What are the common mistakes Jared Henderson made in his note-taking journey?

Jared Henderson made three main mistakes: making too many annotations, only underlining without adding context, and writing too much in the margins.

Why does Jared Henderson suggest using minimal annotations?

Jared suggests using minimal annotations to avoid overwhelming the text and to allow for future annotations during rereads, ensuring that the reader can engage with the material multiple times without running out of space for new insights.

What alternative methods does Jared Henderson recommend for annotating a book besides underlining?

Jared recommends using a pencil to underline important passages, bracketing entire paragraphs, circling words that need definition, adding stars next to key points, and using question marks for confusing parts.

What is the significance of using sticky tabs in Jared's note-taking method?

Jared suggests using sticky tabs next to annotations to easily locate and revisit important points later, which aids in the review process and helps in organizing thoughts.

How does Jared Henderson utilize Plot AI in his note-taking process?

Jared uses Plot AI to transcribe his spoken thoughts or discussions, which is particularly helpful when he's on the go and unable to write notes directly.

What does Jared mean by 'exporting' in the context of note-taking?

In the context of note-taking, 'exporting' refers to the process of transferring annotations from the book into a more reviewable format, such as note cards, where the reader can manually copy and reflect on the important points.

Why is manually copying information from a book into note cards beneficial according to Jared?

Manually copying information helps in retaining the information better and allows for deeper processing of the material, as opposed to automating the process which can reduce the opportunity for review and understanding.

What is the final step Jared Henderson suggests after sorting note cards, and why is it important?

The final step Jared suggests is 'active reflection,' which involves using the acquired knowledge in some way, such as writing lesson plans, blog posts, or engaging in imagined dialogues with the authors. This step is crucial as it helps in truly understanding and retaining the information by actively engaging with it.

How does Jared Henderson's note-taking method help in incorporating book knowledge into one's life?

Jared's method helps incorporate book knowledge into one's life by encouraging a deep engagement with the text through close reading, annotation, exporting, sorting, and active reflection, which collectively aid in understanding, retention, and the ability to form one's ideas based on the acquired knowledge.