The key to good and efficient writing lies in the intelligent organisation of ideas and notes. This book helps students, academics and nonfiction writers 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. 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 notes, quotes or references, you can focus on what really counts: thinking, understanding and developing new ideas in writing. It does not matter if you prefer taking notes with pen and paper or on a computer, be it Windows, Mac or Linux. And you can start right away. **About the Author Dr. Sönke Ahrens is a writer and researcher in the field of education and social science, author of the award winning book “Experiment and Exploration. Forms of World-Disclosure” (Springer) and university teacher for philosophy of education.
This book by Sönke Ahrens introduces the Zettelkasten method, a note-taking system designed to enhance writing, learning, and thinking. It emphasizes creating a network of interconnected notes to generate ideas and facilitate effortless writing. Ditch the blank page panic and unleash your inner Luhmann!
Expected Outcomes:
A: The slip-box (Zettelkasten) is a personal external thinking tool, not a database. It's a collection of interconnected notes that grow as you learn and think, serving as a partner in developing ideas and writing.
A: Traditional methods focus on collecting and categorizing information, the Zettelkasten method promotes the development and interlinking of ideas. It's about translating information into your own words and using those notes to generate new thoughts.
A: While the book is geared towards academics, students, and nonfiction writers, the principles of the Zettelkasten method can be applied to any field that requires critical thinking, learning, and generating new insights.
This book is primarily aimed at students, academics, and nonfiction writers who are looking to improve their writing, learning, and thinking processes. It is particularly relevant for those in the social sciences and humanities, as well as anyone involved in research-heavy or knowledge-based work. The book caters to individuals who want to move beyond traditional study guides and self-help books that focus on formal writing requirements and psychological tips, and instead, seek a practical and efficient system for organizing ideas and notes. It is also suitable for those who struggle with procrastination, motivation, and managing large amounts of information.
The book addresses the common problem of writers facing a blank page and struggling to organize their thoughts and research. It critiques the traditional focus on formal writing requirements and psychological tips, advocating instead for a systematic approach to note-taking as the foundation for effective writing. It draws inspiration from Niklas Luhmann's slip-box method, a technique developed in the mid-20th century, and integrates it with modern insights on productivity and workflow.
