How to Take Better Notes While Reading

Why Most Reading Notes Fail

Common mistakes that render notes useless:

❌ Highlighting everything

• Half the book turns yellow
• No hierarchy or prioritization
• Overwhelms when reviewing

❌ Vague margin notes

• "Important!" (Why?)
• "Good point" (Which point?)
• "Remember this" (Why?)

❌ Passive underlining

• Mechanical highlighting without thinking
• No synthesis or processing
• Creates illusion of learning

❌ No system

• Notes scattered across margins, loose papers, phones
• Can't find notes later
• No consistency

❌ Never reviewing

• Notes taken, never seen again
• Defeats entire purpose

Effective note-taking requires: ✅ Active processing while reading ✅ Consistent system ✅ Regular review ✅ Personal synthesis

System 1: The Marginalia Method (Physical Books)

For those who love writing in books.

Tools needed:

• Pencil or pen
• Symbols system
• Index card or bookmark

The symbol system:

Create consistent symbols for quick categorization:

**★ or ***: Key insight, main idea ? or ??: Confusion, disagree, question →: Actionable advice !: Surprising fact or idea ☐: To research further #: Connects to other book/idea EX: Good example to remember

Use consistently—becomes visual shorthand.

How to annotate effectively:

1. Underline sparingly

• Only truly important phrases
• Maximum 1-2 sentences per page
• Forces selectivity

2. Write meaningful margin notes

❌ Bad: "Interesting" ✅ Good: "Challenges my belief that X—need to reconsider"

❌ Bad: "Important point" ✅ Good: "Core argument: Y leads to Z because [reason]"

3. Summarize at chapter end

Bottom of last page or back of chapter:

• 2-3 sentence summary
• Key takeaway
• How it connects to previous chapters

4. Create index on inside covers

Front cover:

• Themes/topics with page numbers
• "Trust: p. 23, 67, 145"

Back cover:

• Memorable quotes with page numbers
• Action items with page numbers

Makes book searchable later.

Post-reading synthesis:

Within 24 hours:

Write one-page summary including:

• Main thesis/argument
• 3-5 key takeaways
• How it changed your thinking
• Specific actions you'll take
• Related books/ideas

Store in notebook or digital system.

System 2: The Zettelkasten Method (Slip-Box)

For building interconnected knowledge base.

How it works:

As you read:

Create individual notes for each idea (not per book, per idea)

Each note contains:

• One idea in your own words
• Source (book, page number)
• Tags/categories
• Links to related notes

Example note:

Note #147
Idea: Compound interest applies to knowledge
Source: "The Almanack of Naval Ravikand" p. 23
Explanation: Just as money compounds, 
knowledge builds on itself. Learning X makes 
learning Y easier. The longer you learn, the 
faster you learn.
Related notes: #34 (deliberate practice), 
#89 (learning transfer)
Tags: #learning #compounding #knowledge

Why it works:

• Forces synthesis (your own words)
• Creates connections between ideas
• Builds knowledge network
• Evergreen (not tied to single book)

Tools:

Physical: Index cards in box Digital:

• Obsidian (best for linking)
• Notion
• Roam Research
• Evernote

System 3: The Cornell Note-Taking Method

Structured system for organized notes.

Page layout:

Divide page into three sections:

┌─────────────────────────────────┐
│ Book: [Title]  Date: [Date]     │
├──────────┬──────────────────────┤
│          │                      │
│  Cues    │   Notes              │
│          │                      │
│ (2.5")   │   (6")               │
│          │                      │
├──────────┴──────────────────────┤
│                                 │
│  Summary (2")                   │
└─────────────────────────────────┘

How to use:

During reading (Notes column):

• Record key ideas, quotes, arguments
• Use bullet points
• Include page numbers

After reading (Cue column):

• Write questions answered by notes
• Keywords for each note
• Prompts for self-testing

After finishing section (Summary):

• 2-3 sentence synthesis
• Main takeaway
• Personal reflection

Review method:

Cover Notes column, use Cues to test recall.

System 4: Digital Highlighting (E-readers/Apps)

For Kindle, Apple Books, or reading apps.

Advantages:

✅ Searchable highlights ✅ Exportable ✅ Syncs across devices ✅ No damaged books

Best practices:

1. Highlight + note combo

Don't just highlight—add brief note explaining why.

Highlight: "Habit formation requires environmental design" Note: "This explains why I struggle with morning routine—bedroom environment isn't optimized"

2. Use tags consistently

• #action (things to implement)
• #quote (memorable quotes)
• #question (things to research)
• #key (main arguments)

3. Export and process

Weekly or after finishing book:

• Export highlights to document
• Review and synthesize
• Create summary document
• Add to permanent notes

Tools for export:

• Readwise (syncs highlights, spaced repetition)
• Kindle's "My Clippings" file
• Book's built-in export function

System 5: The Feynman Technique (Teach It)

Best for understanding complex material.

How it works:

Step 1: Read section/chapter

Step 2: Close book, write explanation Explain the concept in simple language as if teaching a child.

Step 3: Identify gaps Where did you struggle? What didn't you understand?

Step 4: Review and simplify Go back to book, fill gaps, simplify explanation further.

Why it works:

• Forces active processing
• Reveals true understanding (or lack thereof)
• Creates notes in your own words
• Identifies weak spots immediately

Example:

Concept from book: "Confirmation bias causes us to seek information confirming existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence."

Feynman explanation: "Our brains like being right. When we believe something, we look for proof we're correct and ignore proof we're wrong. Like if I think my friend is mad at me, I'll notice every frown but ignore every smile. It's a mental trap that keeps us stuck in wrong beliefs."

This explanation becomes your note.

System 6: The Action-Oriented Method

For self-help, business, productivity books.

Focus on application, not information.

While reading, create two lists:

List 1: Key Principles

• Core ideas from book
• In your own words
• Maximum 5-7 principles

List 2: Specific Actions

• Concrete steps you'll take
• Specific, not vague
• Prioritized

Example from "Atomic Habits":

Principles:

1. Tiny changes compound over time
2. Focus on systems, not goals
3. Environment shapes behavior

Actions:

1. Put running shoes by bed (habit stacking)
2. Use "after I [existing habit], I will [new habit]" formula
3. Make bad habits difficult (delete social media apps)

Review actions weekly, implement one at a time.

System 7: The Mind Map Method

For visual thinkers and complex books.

How to create:

Center of page: Book title

Main branches: Key themes/sections

Sub-branches: Supporting ideas, examples

Use:

• Colors for different categories
• Icons/symbols
• Connections between branches

When to use:

✅ Non-fiction with multiple themes ✅ Complex arguments with interconnections ✅ When you're a visual learner ✅ For overview before detailed notes

Tools:

Physical: Blank paper, colored pens Digital: MindMeister, XMind, Coggle

System 8: The Quote Collection Method

For literary fiction, poetry, philosophy.

Create quote journal:

For each meaningful quote:

Quote: [Exact text] - Page #

Context: What's happening in book

Why it resonated: Personal reflection

Theme: What it's about (love, mortality, courage, etc.)

Example:

Quote: "It is not the critic who counts..." - Roosevelt, p. 156

Context: Speech about daring greatly

Why it resonated: Reminds me to stop fearing judgment and take risks

Theme: Courage, vulnerability

Review quarterly:

Reread favorite quotes, reflect on which still resonate.

Combining Systems (The Hybrid Approach)

Most effective: Mix systems based on book type.

Fiction:

• Light marginalia (favorite passages)
• Quote collection
• Character/theme notes

Self-help/business:

• Action-oriented method
• Cornell notes for principles
• Digital highlights for portability

Academic/complex:

• Zettelkasten for idea extraction
• Feynman technique for understanding
• Mind maps for structure

Biography:

• Timeline notes
• Key lessons/principles
• Quote collection

Match system to purpose and book type.

The Review System (Most Important Part)

Notes are worthless without review.

Spaced repetition schedule:

Day 1: After finishing book - Create summary

Day 3: Quick review of highlights/notes

Week 1: Detailed review, implement one action

Month 1: Review summary and key takeaways

Month 3: Final review, assess what stuck

Annually: Review all book notes, identify patterns

Tools for review:

Readwise: Resurfaces highlights daily Anki: Flashcards for key concepts Calendar reminders: Schedule review sessions Reading journal: Track all books and takeaways

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: "Notes take too long"

Solution:

• Start with just 3 highlights per chapter
• 5-minute summary at end
• Quality over quantity

Challenge: "I forget to take notes"

Solution:

• Bookmark with "TAKE NOTES" written on it
• Set timer every 20 pages
• Make it part of reading ritual

Challenge: "My notes are scattered everywhere"

Solution:

• Choose ONE system
• Consolidate existing notes
• Weekly processing session

Challenge: "I never review notes"

Solution:

• Calendar reminders
• Reading journal tracks reviews
• Make reviewing enjoyable (coffee, comfortable space)

What NOT to Do

❌ Don't take notes on everything

• Selective > comprehensive
• Signal gets lost in noise

❌ Don't copy verbatim excessively

• Paraphrase = processing
• Own words = understanding

❌ Don't let note-taking interrupt flow

• Mark sections, return later
• Balance enjoyment with learning

❌ Don't hoard unprocessed notes

• Review within 24 hours
• Synthesize regularly

Choosing Your System

Quick decision guide:

Love physical books? → Marginalia Method

Building knowledge base? → Zettelkasten

Need structure? → Cornell Method

Prefer digital? → Digital Highlighting + Readwise

Learning complex concepts? → Feynman Technique

Reading for application? → Action-Oriented Method

Visual thinker? → Mind Mapping

Literary reader? → Quote Collection

Try 2-3 systems, stick with what works.

Effective reading notes require active processing, consistent systems, and regular review—not just highlighting. Choose methods matching your goals: marginalia for physical books, Zettelkasten for knowledge building, Cornell for structure, digital highlighting for convenience, Feynman technique for understanding, action-oriented for implementation, mind maps for visual thinking, or quote collection for literary works. Take selective notes in your own words, create summaries within 24 hours, and review using spaced repetition. Notes without review are worthless. Match system to book type and purpose. Start simple—three highlights per chapter and five-minute summaries—then build complexity as habits form.