Schwartz contends that you can destroy this fear by acting-in other words, by writing anyway.) However, in The Magic of Thinking Big, David J. (Shortform note: As one writer points out, the blank screen may also terrify you because you’re afraid your writing will be terrible-in other words, that you’ll fail. You only do that when you sit in front of your blank screen-and that’s what intimidates you, not the writing itself. So even if you’ve taken lots of notes by the time you sit down to write, you still haven’t thought about or developed your argument. As Ahrens points out, traditional note-taking methods focus on capturing others’ ideas instead of thinking extensively about them. #1: The Slip-Box System Requires You to Write at Every Stage of the Creative ProcessĪhrens contends that people who write using the traditional note-taking process are intimidated by the blank screen because that’s the first time they think critically about their argument.
#Smart notes ahrens how to#
You’ve now learned how to use the slip-box system, but why should you? In this section, we’ll dive into five specific features of the slip-box system that Ahrens argues make it superior to traditional methods. However, not everybody likes digital: One slip-box system user worried that using a digital system would make collecting references too easy and thus discourage her from actually reviewing those references, so she used an analog system instead.) Why the Slip-Box System Is Superior (Shortform note: On Ahrens’s website, he recommends other digital reference systems you can use-namely Endnote, Mendeley, and Citavi-but explains that he prefers Zotero because it’s an open-source program that is continually being updated. Zotero also integrates with several word processing tools, like Microsoft Word, which can make tracking and editing citations within your final work much easier. By using plugins like Zotero, you can easily collect bibliographical information with just a few clicks. Whether you use a digital or a physical version of the slip-box itself, Ahrens urges you to keep your reference system at least partly digital: Even if you create your literature notes by hand, you should have their bibliographic information in a digital format because most academics and nonfiction writers draft their work on a computer. (Shortform note: Other users of the system recommend changing your card size based on the size of your storage space, noting that A6 cards work best with a smaller box.) Luhmann used a card catalog cabinet, but something as simple as a shoebox will also work. You’ll also need a place to store your notes. If you go the analog route, Ahrens recommends using A6 cards for each literature and evergreen note you create. (Shortform note: In contrast, a 2019 study suggests that handwriting doesn’t have such drastic effects: Test-takers who took handwritten notes didn’t perform significantly better than those who took digital notes.) And you can start right away.Similarly, one study suggests that handwriting improves your understanding of what you’re writing-so when creating literature notes, handwriting may help you clarify your understanding of the text.
#Smart notes ahrens mac#
It does not matter if you prefer taking notes with pen and paper or on a computer, be it Windows, Mac or Linux. 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 suits students and academics in the social sciences and humanities, nonfiction writers and others who are in the business of reading, thinking and writing. 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. The Take Smart Notes principle is based on established psychological insight and draws from a tried and tested note-taking-technique. It teaches you how to take smart notes and ensure they bring you and your projects forward. This book helps students, academics and nonfiction writers to get more done, write intelligent texts and learn for the long run.
The key to good and efficient writing lies in the intelligent organisation of ideas and notes.
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