Originaly developed to help students absorb the information they are studying, SQ4R is a method for reading texts that increases retention of written information. It's an active reading method consisting of 6 steps that help the user to delve into written information. This method works very well with books, textbooks, newspapers, journals, whitepapers, and websites. As mentioned before, its benefits include increased understanding and retention of written material and more efficient studying.
We adapted this active reading method to use in this Zettelkasten's workflow. We'll describe different scenarios for note-taking using this Zettelkasten.
Scenario 1 — Recording ideas and concepts using Fleeting notes.
In this scenario, the user can store ideas, concepts, facts, or anything important to be consumed or brainstormed in the future. This is accomplished by creating a Fleeting note and giving it a meaningful title. Fleeting notes are simple zettels with a main block to take notes and hyperlinks—references to other zettels. The user can also assign a tag, if applicable. Or add metadata to the top part of the zettel.
Notes:
1. This Zettelkasten has a set of tools to generate empty zettels of any defined type.
2. Zettels are identified by ID's generated by the tools.
3. All notes are authored in html using a user friendly blog editor.
4. Currently we have defined two different variations of Fleeting note zettels: Video notes — for Youtube videos, and Software notes — for source code.
5. Please refer to the Q&A to know more information about zettel's anatomy, naming conventions, and structure.
Scenario 2 — Active reading any source of information, e.g. books, textbooks, newspapers, journals, whitepapers, blogs, websites, etc, and extracting knowledge.
In this scenario, the user has the need to understand very well and retain the knowledge of something and will use this Zettelkasten to take notes using the SQ4R method. Steps:
Step #1 — Survey (S):
What: In this step you will determine how the information is organized and what do you need to learn.
The purpose of this is to get a “big picture” idea of what the material is all about.
How: Scan or skimm the written material to establish its purpose and/or to gather the main ideas. This can include looking at the table of contents, skipping to the summary at the end of a chapter and reading the main points, or just looking at the headings. While surveying the material look at:
a. Titles and Headings – these indicate the main topics and concepts
b. Pictures, questions, bold or italicized print – these emphasize important information
c. Introduction and conclusion – may summarize the topics and the purpose of the material
d. Footnotes – the may provide extra information for your benefit
e. First sentence of a paragraph
Skimming and scanning are reading techniques that use rapid eye movement and keywords to move quickly through text for slightly different purposes. Skimming is reading rapidly in order to get a general overview of the material. Scanning is reading rapidly in order to find specific facts. While skimming tells you what general information is within a section, scanning helps you locate a particular fact. Skimming is like snorkeling, and scanning is more like pearl diving.
Use skimming in previewing (reading before you read), reviewing (reading after you read), determining the main idea from a long selection you don't wish to read, or when trying to find source material for a research paper.
Use scanning in research to find particular facts, to study fact-heavy topics, and to answer questions requiring factual support.
Notes:
1. Always survey the contents in chunks.
2. Create at least one literature note for each chunk.
3. If more glanularity is needed, create as much literature notes as you wish.
4. After skimming or scanning the text, outline the topics in sequence. If it's printed matter, get the page number for important ideas or concepts.
5. Use your own words, do not copy the original text.
6. Make sure you understand each concept.
Step #2 — Question (Q):
What: After scanning the material, ask questions (What, Where, Why, Which, When, Who, and How questions) about each heading, picture, or piece of information. Depending on the amount of information, prior knowledge, complexity of the subject, and other factors, you may need to write down your questions.
Note: When using this Zettelkasten, you must create a separate zettel for questions. Everything that you write down matters and should be a zettel.How: Create questions based on what you observed during the first step — what you have surveyed:
a. Titles and Headings
b. Pictures and bold or italicized print
c. Introduction and conclusion
d. Footnotes
e. First sentence of a paragraph
1. Question note is a special type of zettel available to use with this Zettelkasten.
2. As any other zettel, it's generated by the tools.
3. Create as many Question notes as needed for each chunk.
Step #3 — Read (R#1)
What: Read the text looking for major points, ideas, that may answer to the questions you formulated. In this step you are trying to find answers to your questions. One important point is to make sure that you are not trying to find the answer only. This may cause you to miss out on other important information.
How: Actively read the text, meaning do not skim through it or passively glance it over. If you have a question for each section of the chapter or reading, read only that section then move on to step 4. If not, keep reading until you’ve read the information relating to your questions.
Notes:1. Bear in mind that a paragraph is a collection of sentences that describe, discuss, or explain one central idea.
2. The three main parts of a paragraph are: the topic sentence, the supporting detail sentences, and the concluding sentence.
3. Writing zettels while you read helps you remember the contents better.
4. Avoid writing down the answers to your questions yet. That comes in step 5.
5. Pay attention to the topic sentences. They are the main contents of your zettels.
Step #4 — Record (R#2)
What: You already surveyed the text, formulated questions, and read the material at least once, and most likelly responded some or all questions. Now it's time to record important things and details in a more permanent way. This is acomplished by creating Permanent notes.
How: Your Permanent notes should record definitions, details, facts, and explanations that you want to keep for future reference. Just remember to be brief, use single words and short sentences. When using this Zettelkasten, create one or more Permanent notes to record what you have gathered. Depending on the complexity of the subject you may want to draw a concept map.
Step #5 — Respond (R#3)
What: Now in this step you may be able to answer your questions.
How: Without looking at the original text and in your own words, try to answer the question(s) you made. Write down the answers in a zettel. You can use the zettel with questions, the Permanent note, or you can create a new zettel. If you can answer them correctly move on to step 6.
Note: If you are unable to answer the question(s) reread that section until you can. If after 2-3 tries you are still not able to answer the question, go on to the next couple of sections and see if it becomes clearer. You may find out in this step that you need to change your question(s). Because subtitles are often ambiguous, the questions you created may not be relevant and that is okay. Change these as needed, but make sure that you really need to understand the text. In other words, do not change the question just so you can answer it.
If you are still unable to answer the question(s) or are having a hard time understanding the section, you may need the consult another source (another book, textbook), or ask help to someone else.
Step #6 — Review (R#4)
What: Now that you've completed reading the section, took good notes authored good zettels, and have your questions answered, it's time to explain the material to yourself.
How: The best way to do it is reading out loud your questions and answers from your Zettelkasten.
Notes: 1) During review, you must connect your zettels. There are three possible kinds of connections between zettels: (a) index to the entry point zettel, (b) zettel to zettel (unidirectional), and (c) zettel to zettel (bidirectional).2) You may also notice during review: (a) zettels with too many things that should split, (b) zettels with too few things that should be merged together, or (c) zettels that are not valid anymore. In this case, now is the best time to refactor your zettels.
Scenario 3 — Recording Project notes.
TODO: under development.
Fig. 1 — Workflow of steps.
Recommended practices applicable for all scenarios:
1) Work in a study space a quiet place with a study desk, plenty of light, right room temperature, and no distractions of any type, specially cellphone.2) Focus on the step you are. One at a time. No multitasking.
3) Don't try to expedite your learning process.
4) Work for 25 minutes, save your zettel with a TODO mark if necessary, and take a 5 minutes break.
5) Don't drink or eat while learning.
7) If possible, keep a record of the time spent to track your progress.
8) It's preferably to use a computer instead of a mobile device such as a tablet or cellphone to author your zettels.
TODO: refactor(split_zettel)