How to Take Smart Notes

Sonke Ahrens

Paperback, 188 pages

Second Edition

9783982438801

One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking for Students, Academics and Nonfiction Book Writers

The key to good and efficient writing lies in the intelligent organisation of ideas and notes. This book helps students, academics and nonfiction writers to get more done, write intelligent texts and learn for the long run. It teaches you how to take smart notes and ensure they bring you and your projects forward. The Take Smart Notes principle is based on established psychological insight and draws from a tried and tested note-taking-technique. This is the first comprehensive guide and description of this system in English, and not only does it explain how it works, but also why. It suits students and academics in the social sciences and humanities, nonfiction writers and others who are in the business of reading, thinking and writing. Instead of wasting your time searching for notes, quotes or references, you can focus on what really counts: thinking, understanding and developing new ideas in writing. It does not matter if you prefer taking notes with pen and paper or on a computer, be it Windows, Mac or Linux. And you can start right away.

Contents

Introduction

1. Everything You Need to Know

2. Everything You Need to Do

3. Everything You Need to Have

4. A Few Things to Keep in Mind

The Four Underlying Principles

5. Writing Is the Only Thing That Matters

6. Simplicity is Paramount

7. Nobody Ever Starts From Scratch

8. Let the Work Carry You Forward

The Six Steps to Successful Writing

9. Separate and Interlocking Tasks

10. Read for Understanding

11. Take Smart Notes

12. Develop Ideas

13. Share Your Insight