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How to Take Smart Notes

One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking

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How to Take Smart Notes

By: Sönke Ahrens
Narrated by: Nigel Fyfe
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About this listen

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 organization of ideas and notes. This audiobook 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.

©2017 Sönke Ahrens (P)2021 Sönke Ahrens
Student
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This is a fascinating investigation into an area that would have made me more self aware sooner. Using the scaffolding of the Luhmann Zettlekasten (slip-box) would and will enhance the way I gain inside. PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) is something so new to me and this book is opening my eyes on how insight can be gained sooner.

Sonke Ahrens shows how multiple attributes are connected and delves into many topics to cover Luhmann's methodology. It is reminded many times that this is a work to be practiced by each reader and the encouragement brings so much enthusiasm in me. Well written and spoke. Something for everyone to delve into in my personal opinion.

A topic I wish I had known 30 years ago

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I first read about Umberto Eco's idea of the index card system ten years ago, at the start of my PhD. Inspired, I bought a printer and a stack of index cards—but gave up within a week. I recently came across this book, often mentioned alongside Eco’s work, and praised for being more systemic, nuanced, and well-explained. Long story short, after spending ten hours absorbing the book and watching the author’s newly released online course, I felt a mix of joy and grief. This should have been taught to every student. Still, I now feel genuinely hopeful—for myself and for friends and students I will share this book with.

I wish I knew this earlier

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Overall, I liked the both structure and idea of the book. The main problem - discrepancies between chapter naming in printed and audio versions.

The idea of the paper

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I finished this book and immediately re-listened to it because I enjoyed it so much. It’s definitely changed the way I organise my thoughts.

Inspiringly Simple

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This is a really good audiobook, with excellent narration. I felt thoroughly engaged throughout. It is very much focussed around academic writing rather than just "smart notes". I feel the need to buy the hard copy for reference purposes. All of the content worked for me, though, as a matter student.

An interesting audiobook

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