How to Take Smart Notes is a concise guide to an effective note-taking technique. The book is written by Sonke Ahrens, who used this approach as a student and academic, and has since taught it to students and professionals around the world. The key premise of How to Take Smart Notes is that notes should be used primarily as a tool for learning and thinking – not just for remembering things. This can be achieved by using a simple yet powerful three-step process: 1) capture all information in bullet points; 2) organise these points into meaningful groups; 3) reflect on the content of your notes regularly. Sonke Ahrens writes with authority and passion about how anyone can use this system effectively, regardless of their age or level of expertise. He shares real-world examples from his own experiences (as well as those of others), along with helpful tips on adapting the method to different settings and needs.
For who is this book for ?
How to Take Smart Notes is for anyone who wants to improve their writing, learning and thinking skills. The book is especially useful for students, academics and nonfiction writers.
Pros :
- Helpful tips on adapting the method to different settings and needs
- Written by an authority on the topic with passion
- Includes real-world examples
Cons :
- could be more concise
- may not work for everyone
- some readers might find the author’s passion a bit too much
Learn more about the author
Sonke Ahrens is a learning and writing expert who has been teaching his unique note-taking approach since 1997. He is the author of two books on this subject, How to Take Smart Notes and The Writer’s Notebook, as well as numerous articles for magazines and websites around the world.
Reader Reviews
“This book should be required reading for all students!”
“This book is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to take their note-taking skills to the next level. The step-by-step guide makes it easy to understand and implement, and the author provides plenty of helpful tips based on his own experience. I definitely recommend this one!”
“Sonke Ahrens has written a concise and straightforward guide on how to take smarter notes. Based on his personal experience as both a student and academic, Sonke provides tips that are easy to follow and can be applied in any learning or writing situation.”
“It is definitely worth the read for anyone who takes notes – and that should be everyone!”
