A simple note-taking technique that helped me:
• Finish my dissertation in 12 months
• Publish four single-authored journal articles during my PhD
I call it "Right for Writing, Left for Thinking."
Here's how it works:
• Finish my dissertation in 12 months
• Publish four single-authored journal articles during my PhD
I call it "Right for Writing, Left for Thinking."
Here's how it works:
Whenever I read a book or an article, I take notes the old-fashioned way.
In notebook, with a pen, in longhand.
I note down important points along with page numbers in circles.
But I write only on the right-hand page and leave the left-hand page blank (initially).
In notebook, with a pen, in longhand.
I note down important points along with page numbers in circles.
But I write only on the right-hand page and leave the left-hand page blank (initially).
I use the left-hand page to write ideas and thoughts that come to my mind during reading.
This practice helps me organize:
• what the authors says
• what I think about the text
This practice helps me organize:
• what the authors says
• what I think about the text
As I read, I keep filling up the left-hand pages with my own points and questions.
This helps me:
• "Digest" the text
• Develop my own take on the text
• Keep things organized
This helps me:
• "Digest" the text
• Develop my own take on the text
• Keep things organized
Writing with hand instead of typing slows me down.
But it helps me remember things better, especially theoretical stuff.
There is published research showing that writing with hands helps us increases retention and recall.
But it helps me remember things better, especially theoretical stuff.
There is published research showing that writing with hands helps us increases retention and recall.
Handwriting, according to research, acts as a "memory propellor."
By the time I finish reading I already have a "zero draft" with my thoughts and ideas processed through writing.
Taking notes by hand feels slow but it really speeds up the writing process.
By the time I finish reading I already have a "zero draft" with my thoughts and ideas processed through writing.
Taking notes by hand feels slow but it really speeds up the writing process.
For my current research project, I am experimenting with typing up my handwritten notes in Zotero.
This helps me make my notes searchable.
This helps me make my notes searchable.
If you want to read about how I finished my dissertation in 12 months, here's a thread:
And if you want to learn how to supercharge your academic writing with AI-powered apps, I have a complete tutorial (of 250+ slides)for you.
It's being used by 1800+ academics including those at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.
You can get it here:
efficientacademicwriter.carrd.co
It's being used by 1800+ academics including those at Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.
You can get it here:
efficientacademicwriter.carrd.co
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