Reading Process

Reading works as if an assistant is helping us out but only when we have a reference to the source material.

Reading while taking notes is the first step to expanding knowledge.

Note Taking

Collecting information does not increase our knowledge. Reading means the text changes our knowledge. Only when we learn from it and begin to work with the ideas it presents.

If we read without taking notes, our knowledge only increases for a short time. Once we forget what we know, having read the text becomes worthless.

Thus, reading without taking notes is a waste of time in the long run. We transfer information from one place to another but fail to increase our knowledge on the way.

It’s only rational to take notes when you read a text because a system of notes can become an extension of your mind and memory.

Knowledge Integration

Knowledge integration happens when we engage with the information. Instead of shoveling content from the source text into your writing project using your working memory, you can integrate it into your knowledge system and have it available forever.

Taking notes means you can rely on your notes alone and rarely need to look up detail in the original text.

Reading alone won’t suffice: we have to create notes, too, to create fundamental, sustainable knowledge. We may expand our knowledge only by storing notes.

Realize that having a text at hand does nothing to increase our knowledge, thus the need for a reading process.

Process

Before reading a new book, take a blank sheet of paper. Write down what you know about the subject you’re about to read — a mind map, if you will.

At the end of each chapter, write a few bullet points that summarize what you’ve read. Make it personal if you can. Apply the knowledge to something in your life.

Pick up the book again and go through all your notes. Note any unanswered questions. Put it down for a week when you’re done with the book.

Most of the notes will be garbage, but there will be lots you want to remember. Write the good stuff on the book’s inside cover and a page number.

Copy the excerpts by hand, take a picture of them to pop into something like Evernote, and add tags for easy access.