Different notes have different purposes and knowing what kind of note you’re creating will help you figure out what you need to do with it.
I used to think that a note was a note was a note. But there are actually different kinds of notes, each of which serves a different purpose. And if you don’t know what kind of note you’re taking, it makes it more difficult to know what to do with it when you’re done. In addition, most academics view note-taking as a peripheral activity, merely a means to an end. But this approach means that they don’t pay much attention to the practice of note-taking.
If you’re going to take notes on something you might as well treat them as important.
Sönke Ahrens (2017). How to take smart notes.
My whole approach to academic work changed when I started taking my notes seriously. When I realised that the notes themselves make up the work – they represent the ongoing process of synthesising information, developing ideas, and constructing knowledge.
Types of notes
- Daily notes: These are the notes you take every day, including your tasks for the day, meetings you attended, and so on.
- Temporary notes: Notes you take when a thought arises, or to remind yourself to do something later. The ultimate goal of a temporary note is to be deleted.
- Literature notes: These notes are attached to resources you use. They’re the notes you take while reading, watching, or listening to something.
- Permanent notes: The notes you’ll still be using in the future, no matter where you’re working. These are the notes you keep returning to.
- Project notes: Notes you take to track progress for projects. When the project is complete, these notes get archived.
Watch: Types of notes.
Understanding that different notes have different purposes will influence what kind of note you create, which will help you figure out what you need to do with it.
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