Taking notes on books
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I usually sit and read with a pigma micron pen in hand and underline key sections of text. If something is particularly noteworthy I'll jot it down on a notepad beside me. Usually a notable quote, a statistic, words or terms I need to research, etc.
I do this to help with retention and to keep me focused, as my mind is prone to wander.
I maintain this practice for everything I read with the exception of devotional material. That type of reading for me is typically shorter in duration and writing for me in this case is more of a distraction.
I do this to help with retention and to keep me focused, as my mind is prone to wander.
I maintain this practice for everything I read with the exception of devotional material. That type of reading for me is typically shorter in duration and writing for me in this case is more of a distraction.
reaganmarsh
Puritan Board Senior
I read with a pencil in hand. I underline, bracket, box off, cross-reference, write marginal notes, and will sometimes outline or summarize at the conclusion of a chapter, depending on what I think I need to do to comprehend and retain the material. If something is dense enough (i.e., John Owen or Francis Turretin), I'll sometimes highlight the appropriate headings to keep the flow of thought clear.
I suppose, like Brian, I don't really do that with devotional literature. I don't think I've ever really noticed that about myself before now! Ha!
I suppose, like Brian, I don't really do that with devotional literature. I don't think I've ever really noticed that about myself before now! Ha!
JimmyH
Puritan Board Senior
I can't recall where I read it, perhaps in Preaching & Preachers, but Reverend D.Martyn Lloyd Jones always kept a notepad by his side when reading. I began doing the same in books where I wanted to remember pertinent points. I find it beneficial to go back over notes and refresh my memory on this or that. I abhor highlighting and ink underlining. What very little underlining I do is always in pencil.
If anyone ends up with a book I've been through they are free to erase my marks. I also do a bracket in the margin to denote important points for future reference. At those places I turn to the ffl and write the page number and perhaps a gloss to account for the notation.
If anyone ends up with a book I've been through they are free to erase my marks. I also do a bracket in the margin to denote important points for future reference. At those places I turn to the ffl and write the page number and perhaps a gloss to account for the notation.
Darryl Le Roux
Puritan Board Freshman
I've been trying to take notes on whatever I am reading. Last night I spent roughly half an hour on Watson's "Body of divinity", and got through three pages. I find that this is rather slow paced, but perhaps it is needed...
johnny
Puritan Board Sophomore
Everything I read is on an iPad now, you can highlight with logos but I don't bother.
The biggest problem I have is staying in the one place, I find myself moving from ebook to ebook to ebook
Onto Google, and then check if Puritanboard has mentioned it (probably has) and then go back to the book I was reading ect,,,
The biggest problem I have is staying in the one place, I find myself moving from ebook to ebook to ebook
Onto Google, and then check if Puritanboard has mentioned it (probably has) and then go back to the book I was reading ect,,,
Cymro
Puritan Board Junior
My practice is to make a small dash with a pencil alongside a pithy point, or relevant remark, or apposite applications. Then after a few chapters enter the marked quotes into a a medium size (7x5 inch) last years diary, which can be bought in a pound shop at the end of year. The quotations I put under headings, such as, Faith, marriage, gifts, assurance, election etc. One can buy books on Puritan sayings etc, but it is more satisfying to assemble your own. Whoever has the books in the future, can rub out the pencil, or be guided by them to develope their experience
RamistThomist
Puritanboard Assessor
Depends on the book. Is it worth taking notes on? Also, I generally don't take notes on devotional books because I don't really analyze the devotional experience.
While any good book should have an index (and if it doesn't, it is not a good book), it helps to make your own topical index in the front of the book.
Most books don't have wide enough margins for serious note-taking, so within the book itself I just write key words, cross-references, etc. I also "trace the argument." I will write something like P1 for premise one, P1.1, 1.2, etc. If he makes a conclusion I will write, "C1," etc.
For more substantial note taking the best thing is google drive, create a folder on the topic, create a file, and do some sort of annotated outline.
JP Moreland's Love yuor God with all Your Mind has some fantastic suggestions on this topic. Jamie Smith did a blog post which is really good.
http://forsclavigera.blogspot.com/2012/08/annotating-texts-some-suggestions-with.html
mgkortus
Puritan Board Freshman
I am big proponent of taking notes while reading a book. For each chapter, I try to determine the main points the author is trying to make and then capture them in a bullet point list. I either hand write these bullet points on a piece of paper or type them up on the computer just after I finish reading a chapter. In addition, I include note-worthy quotes and any personal comments I may have. Once I finish the book, I then write a one page review: half of which summarizes the book on a macro-level and half of which is my personal evaluation of the book.
Why am I big proponent of this method? First, it forces me to read with understanding. Knowing that I plan to summarize the author's main points changes the way I read - it is less casual and more focused. Second, this method helps with retention. For often after reading through the chapter, I have to page back through it to remember what were the main points being made. In addition, the process of writing out a summary of each chapter helps with retention. Third, the end result is that I have a 3-10 page summary of the entire book that I can turn back to any time. I go back to these frequently in my studies.
The down side to this method? It takes time. I would say that this method at least doubles the amount of time it takes me to read a book. Thus, I have to ask myself whether the books merits this approach. If it does not, then I resort to making pencil markings throughout the book as described by others in this thread.
Austin, if you are interested, I can send a couple of examples.
Why am I big proponent of this method? First, it forces me to read with understanding. Knowing that I plan to summarize the author's main points changes the way I read - it is less casual and more focused. Second, this method helps with retention. For often after reading through the chapter, I have to page back through it to remember what were the main points being made. In addition, the process of writing out a summary of each chapter helps with retention. Third, the end result is that I have a 3-10 page summary of the entire book that I can turn back to any time. I go back to these frequently in my studies.
The down side to this method? It takes time. I would say that this method at least doubles the amount of time it takes me to read a book. Thus, I have to ask myself whether the books merits this approach. If it does not, then I resort to making pencil markings throughout the book as described by others in this thread.
Austin, if you are interested, I can send a couple of examples.
Thank you all for the input so far.
Matt,
The extra time is the main reason I have not taken notes while reading up till now. There is just so much excellent material I would like to read and read soon. However, I have begun to suspect that my retention is suffering for it more than I imagined it would. That is why I am considering adopting some form of simple note-taking.
Yes, I would greatly appreciate a couple examples of your method. It sounds very similar to what I had in mind to do.
Matt,
The extra time is the main reason I have not taken notes while reading up till now. There is just so much excellent material I would like to read and read soon. However, I have begun to suspect that my retention is suffering for it more than I imagined it would. That is why I am considering adopting some form of simple note-taking.
Yes, I would greatly appreciate a couple examples of your method. It sounds very similar to what I had in mind to do.
As an extra incentive to follow this method, it might be added that once the subject, taxonomy, issues, and arguments are properly understood, the reader will find a greater capability as he goes through other books on the same topic, and can speed read with great effect. It also makes it easier to read book reviews and digests, and this helps in deciding which books to read.
mgkortus
Puritan Board Freshman
I will send some via email.
Jack K
Puritan Board Doctor
I often take notes when I read a theological work. I use a legal pad and then transfer my notes to my computer, or I write directly to the computer if I'm reading at my desk, and then organize by topic.
But I generally don't summarize the author's thoughts. Instead, I usually keep notes of my own reflections and reactions to what I'm reading. Then sometimes I'll use my reflections in my own writing. I also jot down page numbers in case I need to cite what I've read. I have hundreds of pages of Word-document notes.
But I generally don't summarize the author's thoughts. Instead, I usually keep notes of my own reflections and reactions to what I'm reading. Then sometimes I'll use my reflections in my own writing. I also jot down page numbers in case I need to cite what I've read. I have hundreds of pages of Word-document notes.
Very similar, although I don't write a review at the end; I mostly just note the flow of the argument or the narrative in general points.
Jack,
Thanks for sharing. I have debated with myself whether to use paper or computer. Evernote and OneNote are wonderful for tagging and organizing in myriad ways, quickly searching for information, syncing between electronic devices for accessibility, etc.
That said, I find that writing on paper helps with retention. I also prefer not to use the computer ordinarily on the Lord's day, whereas most of my reading is appropriate for the Lord's day.
Has anyone had experience with both methods and found one a clear winner in your own experience?
Usually paragraph by paragraph; that is, if the author has properly followed the rules of composition. If he hasn't I doubt I would attempt to take notes unless it was for the purpose of critique.
We summarised the Institutes as a part of our Theology degree. I'm not sure if that is still done; I hope so. It is one of the things that convinced me of the benefits of taking notes. The outlines are very helpful, especially since they reflect the reformed scholastic tradition; but we were still required to note the progression of thought within each section. I particularly noted the texts used to support the argument, probably because the proof-texts of the Confession were an area of historical interest to me.
The main thing would be to develop a method that keeps up a reading flow. If the flow is hindered it will take away the pleasure of reading and mentally conversing with the text.
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