Note-taking strategies for theology books?

[clawrence9008]

I feel like while I do a decent amount of reading of Reformed literature, I do not retain nearly as much as I would like, which I suspect to be partially because I do not take notes on most of the texts that I read. I will engage with the book itself by marking it up (underlining, boxing, circling) and by writing the occasional cross-reference or comment in the margin, but I don't take extensive notes or anything for most of the books I read. I feel like taking notes would help me retain what I read better, which would be ideal for subsequent reflection and meditation. I don't just want to be "well-read" for the sake of being well-read, but I want to be well-read with the singular intent of "growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). What note-taking strategies do you guys use when reading through a Reformed book?

 

[clawrence9008]

Bump.

 

[countryparson]

I think note-taking gets to be very personal, but a couple of things might be helpful.
1. Summarize what you want to remember in your own words - this will help you understand and remember better. I keep lots of quotes for research and sermons and distinguish my own summaries and thoughts so I don't confuse them.
2. Organization sort of develops on its own, you can waste a lot of time developing a structure before getting material that needs to be organized. That said, a very helpful way to organize notes is according to Bible passage (I use Book and Chapter) or by the appropriate Chapter and Section of the Confession the note might apply to. Otherwise the topics build themselves.
3. Regular a review of notes will help retention.
I find the Readwise app very helpful to collect and review notes: https://readwise.io/i/scott846

 

[toledomudhen]

I feel like while I do a decent amount of reading of Reformed literature, I do not retain nearly as much as I would like, which I suspect to be partially because I do not take notes on most of the texts that I read. I will engage with the book itself by marking it up (underlining, boxing, circling) and by writing the occasional cross-reference or comment in the margin, but I don't take extensive notes or anything for most of the books I read. I feel like taking notes would help me retain what I read better, which would be ideal for subsequent reflection and meditation. I don't just want to be "well-read" for the sake of being well-read, but I want to be well-read with the singular intent of "growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). What note-taking strategies do you guys use when reading through a Reformed book?

If I really want to retain what I'm reading in a book, I keep a journal of notes with it. These are inexpensive:

Amazon.com

Additionally, if I really like a book, I'll get a Kindle copy and create lots of highlights that can be exported as graphics from an iPad or iPhone. Here's an example from the Jeremiah Burroughs page that I run on Facebook:

Jeremiah Burroughs

Jeremiah Burroughs. 2,166 likes · 8 talking about this. Author

www.facebook.com

I hope that helps a little bit.

 

[Blood-Bought Pilgrim]

I feel like while I do a decent amount of reading of Reformed literature, I do not retain nearly as much as I would like, which I suspect to be partially because I do not take notes on most of the texts that I read. I will engage with the book itself by marking it up (underlining, boxing, circling) and by writing the occasional cross-reference or comment in the margin, but I don't take extensive notes or anything for most of the books I read. I feel like taking notes would help me retain what I read better, which would be ideal for subsequent reflection and meditation. I don't just want to be "well-read" for the sake of being well-read, but I want to be well-read with the singular intent of "growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). What note-taking strategies do you guys use when reading through a Reformed book?

I’ve found it very helpful to write key points and takeaways at the end of each chapter as I read. This provides me some reference points when I go back to find things or review the book.

 

[moral necessity]

I take a piece of paper and write down important points I want to reference for later, along with the page number.
Then I fold the paper and put it inside of the cover of the book.
Some books might get several pages written...others only a few.
I don't like to mark up my books.
I might even make an outline of the book to better follow what is being said.

Blessings!

 

[jwithnell]

In written notes, I find it helpful to keep a running tab of the text page numbers in the left margin. To make it clear when I'm briefly adding my own thoughts I'll add carets: <Didn't Schnifolhoffer develop this in the 40s?> And for longer additions, I'll divide off the bottom of the page.

 

[B.L.]

What note-taking strategies do you guys use when reading through a Reformed book?

I'm a recent convert to Logos and have found it to have significantly boosted my learning and retention. Beyond the time efficiency gained in going down research rabbit holes the notes and clippings functions and the ability to organize it all in its own folder is very convenient. I can't tell you how many times I've taken notes in a book or started a new note pad with my own questions and musings only to not be able to find it again.

Full disclosure: I was previously a physical copy until I die kind of guy.