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How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking Kindle Edition

by Sönke Ahrens (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,306 ratings
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This is the second, revised and expanded edition. The first edition was published under the slightly longer title "How to Take Smart Notes. One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking - for Students, Academics and Nonfiction Book Writers".

The key to good and efficient writing lies in the intelligent organisation of ideas and notes. This book helps students, academics and other knowledge workers to get more done, write intelligent texts and learn for the long run. It teaches you how to take smart notes and ensure they bring you and your projects forward.
The Take Smart Notes principle is based on established psychological insight and draws from a tried and tested note-taking technique: the Zettelkasten. 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. 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.
Instead of wasting your time searching for your notes, quotes or references, you can focus on what really counts: thinking, understanding and developing new ideas in writing.

Dr. Sönke Ahrens is a writer and researcher in the field of education and social science. He is the author of the award-winning book “Experiment and Exploration: Forms of World Disclosure” (Springer).

Since its first publication, How to Take Smart Notes has sold more than 100,000 copies and has been translated into seven languages.
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  1. Print length
    178 pages
  2. Language
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  4. Publication date
    March 8, 2022
  5. File size
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  1. Write exactly one note for each idea and write as if you were writing for someone else: Use full sentences, disclose your sources, make references and try to be as precise, clear and brief as possible.
    Highlighted by 3,775 Kindle readers
  2. We need a reliable and simple external structure to think in that compensates for the limitations of our brains.
    Highlighted by 3,031 Kindle readers
  3. Writing is not what follows research, learning or studying, it is the medium of all this work.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Sönke Ahrens is a writer and researcher in the field of education and social science. He is the author of the award-winning book "Experiment and Exploration: Forms of World Disclosure" (Springer).

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09V5M8FR5
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 2nd edition (March 8, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 8, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1570 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 178 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1542866502
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,306 ratings

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Sönke Ahrens

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
1,306 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Fredrick Tipton
5.0 out of 5 stars Manual for Mind Mapping Framework
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2024
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This book is the ultimate guide to structured note-taking using a connection-based process. Its unparalleled approach to content retention and recall, backed by insightful excerpts and examples, makes it the go-to methodology for anyone seeking to enhance their ability to apply and maintain concepts. If you're looking for a foolproof way to boost your memory and maximize your retention skills, then this book is an absolute must-read.
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Carlos
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book to understand how to take notes and use them.
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024
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I’m not sure if I’m going to do the full slip-box method, but I did learn a few things from this book. Such as:

1. Always capturing my thoughts into a ‘fleeting note’ and making it a habit to go over it later. I’ll be using Apple Reminders for this.
2. Always reading a book with pen and paper, and taking notes in my own words of the things that resonate with me. If I use the Kindle app, I’ll utilize their notes feature and write it down with my Apple pencil.
3. Trying to always look if my permanent note connects to any other note I have written before and then link them.
4 people found this helpful
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Tianpei Xie
5.0 out of 5 stars A great motivations to start Zettelkasten methods
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2024
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How to Take Smart Note presents the Zettelkasten (slip-box) method as a note-taking system, which encourages an universal simple note format and an interconnected note storage and retrieval system. This method was pioneered by Niklas Luhmann.

This book consists of three parts:
- What is Zettelkasten method? This part explains the basic concepts and the practical skills (know-how) of note-taking using Zettelkasten method including how to separate different types of notes (fleeting notes, literature notes and permanent notes), how to use slip-box in writing and research etc. The focus is on what to do and how to do.

- The Four Underlying Principles: This part focus on the principles underlying the Zettelkasten method. Zettelkasten method is not simply a skill for note-taking but also a set of principles and mindsets underlying reading, writing, critical thinking and research. To better use of Zettelkasten note-taking system, one should understand why it works. The principles introduced in this part helps the reader to understand what it really matters in note-taking, reading, writing and research. The reader can then adopt the Zettelkasten method with flexibility, allowing the benefits of using this method more obvious. For many, adopting Zettelkasten method would be a paradigm shift in their habits and perspective towards learning and thinking itself.

- The Six Steps to Successful Writing: This part moves beyond Zettelkasten method itself and discusses the suggestions and steps of academia writing and research. These steps also follow the similar principles underlying the self-centered research principles. and the five elements of effective thinking. These suggestions are embedded in the design of Zettelkasten system which helps us to separate different tasks, to focus on understanding while reading, to develop ideas with connections, and to share insights with others. The author advocated that Zettelkasten method would lead to successful in non-fiction writing, learning, and academia research.
6 people found this helpful
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Eitan Rude
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly useful for academics and independent workers
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
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I didn’t start reading this thinking about it as a book about productivity, but as a graduate student who’s tried (and failed) to implement GTD, calendaring, and other methods, this feels like the first book that has actionable advice for helping me do more and learn more. Of course, the proof will be in the pudding a month from now, but I definitely think this short read is very worthwhile.
One person found this helpful
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Elliot
3.0 out of 5 stars Perfect example of taking a great idea and beating it to death
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2024
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I have no idea why there are so many praises for this book. The IDEA in this book is amazing. But the actual book is very badly written. The system discussed in this book is not even something the author created, so I don't think this author should be celebrated for telling other people about someone else's great idea, when the author just basically spends 170 densely packed pages saying the same thing over and over, and over, and over, and over...without really doing an even mediocre job of showing anyone how to really implement this great technique. I think part of the problem is that he is continuously singing the praises of the technique and repeating himself so often, that any actual descriptions of how to 'do the thing' are lost among the endless rambling. Again, great idea, but this is a really terrible book when it comes to execution or "how-to."
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Michael Barr
5.0 out of 5 stars An updated version of an excellent book
Reviewed in Canada on January 9, 2024
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I read the first edition of this book four years ago just prior to commencing a doctorate and it helped me set the foundation of a method of writing that has transformed my writing. There’s no easy button and no tricks; it involves self discipline, being organized, and, most importantly, writing every day. My zettelkasten is based in Roam Research, a tool that I use in my doctoral writing and in my professional practice. Regardless of the tool you use, this book will help you organize the DNA of your personal slip box. Don’t enter into this method lightly thinking it’s something you can pick up in a weekend. Give it a year of intentional practice, and it will become your conversation partner for the rest of your writing life.
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Leonam Alves
4.0 out of 5 stars Good content but very repetitive
Reviewed in Brazil on October 16, 2023
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The book delves into the essence of the Zettelkasten method and explores its potential benefits, such as avoiding cognitive biases, enhancing creativity and productivity, and improving the learning and memory recall process. It also provides practical insights on how to integrate note-taking into our daily routines.

However, it lacks in-depth recommendations for the application of the Zettelkasten method. While it explains the method's origins and provides general suggestions, readers seeking highly detailed instructions may find it lacking. The choice of software and tools for implementing the method is left to the reader's discretion.

For those in search of more specific guidance, consider searching for tutorials on the method on YouTube.
7 people found this helpful
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MaxM
5.0 out of 5 stars Libro eccellente: vorrei averlo scoperto anni fa!
Reviewed in Italy on February 2, 2024
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Che dire? una perfetta e molto concreta introduzione al metodo Zettelkasten, con utili spunti ANCHE per l'implementazione con tecnologie attuali (software). Consigliato a tutti quelli che studiano o che comunque desiderano alimentare un bagaglio di conoscenze.
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I.E
5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2023
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I came across the zettelkasten (slip-box) method but I was continuously put off by the complex and elaborate digital zettelkasten setups found on YouTube etc. The book provided a very intuitive and robust introduction to the concept and made a convincing case for the effectiveness of the method.

Whenever someone asks me about the zettelkasten method, I recommend them this book. I believe that is enough to be said.
7 people found this helpful
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Pratik
5.0 out of 5 stars Proposes solution to problem of readers
Reviewed in India on June 17, 2023
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I have been reading books for over a decade now and all non fictional. I highlight important text and copy these points in my note app. Sometimes, I used to add my notes on the highlighted texts. The more I collected, the more it became difficult to go back and learn.
No more. This book offers you a solution that is not easy but will help all fellow readers to make sense of what you read. It creates a system where you think and turned out to be revolutionary for me. Just read it for the first time, but it will not be the last time for sure until I implement the system myself.
4 people found this helpful
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