How I take notes from books

Summary

In this video, the creator shares his effective note-taking system for non-fiction books, emphasizing the importance of comprehension during reading. He outlines a four-step process: read, highlight, record, and synthesize. The creator uses Roam Research for note organization and emphasizes the value of adding personal thoughts and questions to the notes. The video also features a sponsorship by Trade Coffee, which allows viewers to discover new coffee roasts tailored to their preferences.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking detailed notes from non-fiction books to enhance comprehension and retention.
• 🌞 The best time for the speaker to read and comprehend material is in the morning, suggesting individual preferences for reading times can impact effectiveness.
• 🖊️ While reading, the speaker highlights key areas and uses symbols in the margins to guide later note-taking, showing the value of active reading strategies.
• 🔖 The use of different symbols for various purposes, such as examples, further reading, quotes, and questions, helps in organizing thoughts and ideas systematically.
• 📝 The speaker takes notes in an outline style using Roam Research, highlighting the utility of digital tools in creating interconnected knowledge webs.
• 🔗 The Roam Research app is praised for its linking system that allows easy connection between different notes, mirroring the way the brain organizes information.
• 📚 The speaker's note-taking process involves synthesizing new information with existing knowledge, underlining the significance of connecting new learning to prior understanding.
• ☕️ The video is sponsored by Trade Coffee, which allows subscribers to discover new coffee roasts tailored to their taste profiles, showing an example of personalized consumer experiences.
• 🎁 The speaker offers a special promotion for the audience to try Trade Coffee with a discount and free shipping, illustrating the integration of sponsorships in content.
• 🤔 The speaker's approach to note-taking and learning embodies Bruce Lee's quote about adapting, rejecting, and adding personal insights to the learning process.
• 🔄 The iterative nature of the speaker's note-taking process, from reading to synthesizing, reflects a continuous cycle of learning and personal growth.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is about the speaker's method for taking notes from non-fiction books, including a four-step process: read, highlight, record, and synthesize.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of good comprehension during reading?

The speaker emphasizes good comprehension because it is crucial for taking effective notes. Without proper understanding of the material, the notes taken will not be useful.

What is the first step in the speaker's note-taking process?

The first step is 'read', where the speaker focuses on promoting the best possible comprehension by reading in the morning and adjusting the reading environment as needed.

How does the speaker handle the second step of the process, which is highlighting?

The speaker highlights while reading, using a pen to mark areas in the margins and underlining key terms to draw attention to important ideas later when taking notes.

What tools or methods does the speaker suggest for those who do not want to write in the margins of physical books?

The speaker suggests using eBooks, where highlights can be made through apps like Kindle or iBooks, or using book flags to mark places in a book non-destructively.

What system of symbols does the speaker use while reading and highlighting?

The speaker uses stars for general highlights, 'Ex' for examples, 'F' for further reading, 'Q' for quotes, question marks for passages that need further investigation, and writes short notes in the margin for thoughts to elaborate on later.

What is the third step in the speaker's note-taking process called, and what app does the speaker use for this step?

The third step is called 'record', where the speaker uses the app Roam Research to take notes in an outline style, utilizing its linking system to create an interconnected web of knowledge.

How does the speaker describe the fourth and final step of the note-taking process?

The fourth step is 'synthesize', where the speaker connects the newly learned information with what they already know, adding their own thoughts and opinions in italics within the notes.

What quote by Bruce Lee does the speaker reference to describe their approach to learning and note-taking?

The quote by Bruce Lee is 'Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.' This embodies the speaker's approach to the learning process.

What is the promotional offer mentioned by the speaker for Trade Coffee, and how can viewers take advantage of it?

The promotion for Trade Coffee offers 30% off the first bag and free shipping for the first 100 people who use the provided link in the description and take the coffee quiz.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Effective Note-Taking for Non-Fiction Reading

The speaker introduces a four-step process for taking notes on non-fiction books, emphasizing the importance of reading with comprehension as the foundation for effective note-taking. The process includes reading, highlighting key points, recording notes in an outline style using Roam Research, and synthesizing the new information with existing knowledge. The speaker also discusses personal strategies for choosing what to note and how to use symbols for different types of highlights, such as examples, further reading, and quotes. The goal is to create an interconnected web of knowledge that aids in long-term retention and understanding.

05:01

☕ Embracing the Art of Coffee and Continuous Learning

In the second paragraph, the speaker transitions from the topic of note-taking to a discussion on coffee, sponsored by Trade Coffee. They share their personal routine of making coffee and the joy it brings, while also acknowledging their limited knowledge in the area. The speaker highlights Trade Coffee's unique service of offering a personalized selection based on a customer's taste profile, allowing for discovery of new roasts. The video concludes with a promotion for Trade Coffee, offering a discount for the first purchase and emphasizing the value of trying new experiences, which parallels the speaker's approach to learning and personal growth.

Keywords

💡Sponsorship

Sponsorship in this context refers to the support provided by Trade Coffee to the video creator's channel. It is a form of advertising where a company financially supports content creation in exchange for acknowledgment and promotion within the content. In the script, the creator thanks Trade Coffee for sponsoring the video, which helps to fund the production and is a key part of the video's introduction.

💡Note-Taking

Note-taking is the process of recording information from a source, such as a book, lecture, or video. In the video, the creator discusses their method of note-taking from non-fiction books, emphasizing its importance for comprehension and retention of knowledge. The script outlines a four-step process for effective note-taking, which includes reading, highlighting, recording, and synthesizing.

💡Comprehension

Comprehension is the understanding and interpretation of what one reads or hears. The script highlights the importance of good comprehension for effective note-taking, as it ensures that the notes taken are meaningful and accurately reflect the content. The creator mentions that reading in a way that promotes comprehension is crucial for capturing the essence of the material in notes.

💡Highlighting

Highlighting is a technique used to mark important sections of text for later reference. In the script, the creator describes how they highlight key terms and areas in the margins of the book while reading, which helps in identifying what to focus on during the note-taking process. This method aids in the organization and prioritization of information.

💡Margin Notes

Margin notes are brief annotations made in the margins of a book or document. The script mentions that the creator writes in the margins of their physical books to underline key terms and to make quick notes that help guide the note-taking process. This practice is part of the creator's personal system for engaging with the material and preparing for detailed note-taking.

💡Symbols

In the context of the script, symbols refer to the system of markings used by the creator to categorize different types of highlights in their books. For example, stars for general highlights, 'Ex' for examples, 'F' for further reading, 'Q' for quotes, and question marks for points of disagreement or confusion. These symbols help in organizing notes and quickly identifying the type of information highlighted.

💡Roam Research

Roam Research is a note-taking app mentioned in the script that the creator uses for recording notes. It is appreciated for its ability to create links between notes using brackets or hashtags, which helps in building an interconnected web of knowledge. The app is used in the recording stage of the creator's note-taking process, allowing for the organization and linking of ideas.

💡Synthesizing

Synthesizing is the process of combining different ideas or pieces of information to form a new understanding or theory. In the script, the final step of the creator's note-taking process involves synthesizing the newly learned information with what they already know or their own thoughts, which enhances memory and understanding. The creator illustrates this by writing their thoughts in italics within their notes.

💡Interconnected Web of Knowledge

The term 'interconnected web of knowledge' refers to the network of linked ideas and information that one builds over time. In the script, this concept is used to describe the structure of notes created in Roam Research, where each piece of information is linked to related concepts, mirroring the way knowledge is organized in the brain.

💡Bruce Lee Quote

The Bruce Lee quote mentioned in the script, 'Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own,' encapsulates the creator's approach to learning and note-taking. It emphasizes the importance of personalizing the learning process by incorporating one's own thoughts and rejecting information that does not resonate.

💡Trade Coffee

Trade Coffee is a coffee subscription service that is sponsoring the video. The service allows customers to discover new roasts from various roasters and build a personalized taste profile. In the script, the creator discusses their experience with Trade Coffee, highlighting the convenience and customization options it offers for coffee enthusiasts.

Highlights

Thanks to Trade Coffee for sponsoring this video and supporting my channel.

I spend time every single morning reading and have gotten back into the habit of taking detailed notes when reading non-fiction.

Taking detailed notes on what you read requires effort and self-discipline, especially without exams or professors.

My note-taking process is incredibly useful and involves a four-step process: read, highlight, record, and synthesize.

Good comprehension is essential for effective note-taking, so I read in the morning and sometimes change my reading position to stay focused.

I highlight while reading, using a pen to mark important areas in the margins and underline key terms.

For those who prefer not to write in books, eBooks and book flags are good alternatives for marking important sections.

I use a system of symbols in the margins: stars for highlights, 'Ex' for examples, 'F' for further reading, 'Q' for quotes, and question marks for passages I disagree with or find confusing.

In the recording stage, I use my highlights and margin symbols to guide my note-taking in an app called Roam Research.

Roam Research allows me to create an interconnected web of knowledge by linking terms and tags within my notes.

Synthesis involves connecting new information to what I already know and adding my own thoughts in italics to my notes.

I recently finished reading 'Hyperfocus' by Chris Bailey and posted detailed notes on my website.

My note-taking process embodies Bruce Lee's quote: 'Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.'

Trade Coffee's coffee quiz builds a taste profile for you, ensuring that the roasts delivered to your door match your preferences.

If you're one of the first 100 people to use the link in the description, you'll get 30% off your first bag of coffee and free shipping.

Transcripts

- Thanks to Trade Coffee for sponsoring this video,

and supporting my channel.

In a couple of my recent videos, I've mentioned

that I spend time every single morning reading.

And recently, I've gotten back into the habit

of taking detailed notes

when what I'm reading is non-fictional.

Now, I found that this is a habit that is tough

to stay in and easy to fall out of,

because taking detailed notes on what you read

requires effort and self-discipline.

Especially given the fact that I no longer have

any exams or professors forcing me to do so.

It's just something that I want to do.

But that being said, taking notes on what I read

is an incredibly useful habit to be in.

So today, I want to share how I take notes

from non-fiction books.

I'm gonna give you the details of my system,

talk a little bit about how I decide what to record

versus what not to record,

and hopefully give you some ideas

about how can take notes on the books that you read.

Whether they're assigned in class,

or just books that interest you.

And my system breaks down into a four step process,

read, highlight, record and synthesize.

And we're gonna start off with the reading part.

Now, since this is a video on note taking

you might think we could just skip past this part

and go straight to highlighting.

But you know what they say, garbage in, garbage out.

And in this case I'm not talking about garbage books per se,

but rather about garbage comprehension.

Because if I'm reading in a way

that doesn't promote good comprehension,

I'm not going to be able to take good notes.

So this part of the process is just as important

as the note taking process.

When I read I'm trying to promote

the best possible comprehension.

So I read in the morning, which is what I found

to be the best time of the day for me

to engage with the material and stay focused.

And if I need to I will move around my office.

If I'm sitting in my chair and it's

a little bit too relaxing,

I'm getting a little bit too day-dreamy,

I will sometimes pace around the office while holding

the book and still reading it.

Or sometimes I'll sit on the floor just

to get into a different position.

All right, step two in the process is to highlight,

which I actually do simultaneously while I read.

I keep a pen with me, which I use to star areas

in the margins that I want talk draw my eye to later on

when I'm actually taking my notes.

And yes, I actually do write in the margins of my book,

and I will also underline key terms,

so I can further draw my eye

to exactly what the idea was.

Now if you don't want to write in the margins,

number one, you could just get eBooks,

'cause the Kindle app and the iBooks app,

and basically every electronic app out there

will let you create little highlights.

Personally, I like to write in physical books better.

And then there are also these little book flags.

So these things can non-destructively allow you

to mark places in a book.

And there are many different colors,

so you can use one for say, quotes,

one for just interesting things.

And on that note, I actually have a system

of symbols that I use.

So I use stars for general highlights

that I want to draw my eye to later on,

and then I use Ex, for examples.

So in a book if there's an example

that is backing up a main point that I want to remember

I'll mark that with an Ex.

I use the letter F for further reading.

So if a book is mentioning say, another author

or a book that they draw inspiration from,

or maybe just a paper, I'll put an F there,

so I can remember to follow up and maybe check

that out later on.

Q is for quotes.

Now when I go and I write my notes I generally try

to put the notes in my own words,

as much as I possibly can.

But sometimes there's a great quote,

and I want to remember it exactly as it was stated,

so I use a Q for that.

I'll use question marks if there's a passage

in a book that I disagree with, or that confuses me.

That will allow me to dig in and maybe try

to verify a claim, see if I was wrong,

or if the author was wrong.

And finally, sometimes I will write actual notes

in the margin of the book.

These will not be lengthy, but occasionally,

I really want to get something out of my head

that relates to a specific area on a page.

So I'll just write a little margin note

that kind of primes me to elaborate on that point

a bit more when I'm doing the actual recording.

And that happens in the recording stage,

which is the third step of the process.

So once I'm done reading and highlighting a chapter,

I will sit down at my desk, I'll go back through the chapter

and I'm gonna use my highlights and my margin symbols

to guide my eye to what I want to take notes on.

And I take notes in an app called Roam Research

putting the in an outline style.

Now what I like about Roam,

and I made a video about this tool very recently,

is that I can very easily make links

to any other page I have just by putting brackets

around a term, or by using a hashtag to use a tag.

They're kind of the exact same in Roam.

So if I have say a Q somewhere, I know that's a quote.

I will put that quote in my notes,

and I'll give it the quotes tag,

so I can easily look up quotes later on.

Or if there is something that refers back

to a page that I've already taken notes on, say caffeine,

I can easily put brackets around the word caffeine,

and link to my caffeine page.

And over time this creates this interconnected web

of knowledge that kind of represents the way

that knowledge is organized in the brain.

And I do have to note that right now Roam Research

is in closed beta with a wait list.

And there are details about that I can put

in the description down below,

I'm not gonna fill up too much time with them.

But the gist here is that other than that linking system

you can recreate these outline style notes

in basically any other note-taking app.

The main idea is I'm writing down what I highlighted,

so I'm interacting with the material one more time.

And step four here, I'm synthesizing it.

So this is the last step in the process where I'm trying

to find a way to connect the information I've

just learned and recorded, to what I already know.

Or otherwise finding a way to utilize it,

to wrangle with it, to kind of retrieve it,

have to work with it.

So one thing that I will do is I'll write my own thoughts

in my notes in italics.

If there is a point that I have a little bit

of my own input on, I will put that right in the notes,

right under my recording of the point.

And this helps me to connect my own ideas

and things I already know from other sources,

to what I've just read.

I'm building more pathways to it,

and I'm more likely to remember it long term.

And if you want to see an example of how I take these notes,

and how I go about this process of synthesizing

what I've learned, and connecting it

to my own thoughts and opinions,

I just recently finished reading

the book "Hyperfocus," by my friend Chris Bailey,

very good book, and I took very detailed notes

on this book, which I have posted on my website.

And I'll have that link in the description down below.

But one last thing that I would like to note here

is that this entire note-taking process,

especially the part where I'm adding in

my own thoughts and opinions,

and using the little question mark symbol

to mark spots where I have a disagreement,

is kind of an embodiment

of my absolute favorite quote by Bruce Lee.

Which goes like this, "Adapt what is useful,

"reject what is useless,

and add what is specifically your own."

That is exactly how I try to go about the learning process,

and how I think you should, as well.

Now, if you'll excuse me I've got some more reading

to go do, which also means that's it time

to brew a fresh cup of coffee.

And luckily, I've got some brand new beans

to try thanks to Trade Coffee.

With Trade Coffee you get to discover new roasts

from some of the nation's best roasters,

instead of just buying the same old beans

from the store every time.

Or just randomly guessing whenever you want

to try something new.

And for me, making coffee is one

of my favorite parts of the day.

But when it comes to my knowledge of coffee I would say

that I know enough to be dangerous.

I know a little bit about the different roast types,

and I at least grind my own beans at home.

But it still seems that whenever I want

to try something new and I grab something random off

the shelf, half the time it ends up being something

that I don't really like.

That's why Trade's coffee quiz is great.

When you sign up it asks you a few simple questions

about your tastes, and then builds a taste profile

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they conveniently deliver to your door

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And you can even rate each bag

to improve what you'll get in the future.

This B-roll set up was a lot of work.

All right, time for a taste test.

(slow, flowing piano music)

(chuckles) Okay yeah, that's good.

So if you want to try some great new coffee

and support my channel, then give Trade a try using

the link in the description down below.

And if you're one of the first 100 people

to use that link, you're even gonna

get 30% off your first bag.

Just take the quiz, and that promotion will

be automatically applied.

Plus, you're even gonna get free shipping.

All right guys, that is it,

so hopefully you enjoyed the video,

and thank you so much for watching.

If you did enjoy this video hit that like button

to show the YouTube algorithm what's up.

You know it's getting subscribed right there.

It's kind of hard to talk when I'm bending over

and basically breaking my spine right now.

But look how much effort I'm putting in for you.

There's also more videos in this channel,

so check them out right here, or here.

As always, smashing your face through the phone screen

is more effective than using your fingers or thumbs.

So do that, or don't, 'cause as always, I'm not your dad.