Margin notes
Writing in the margins while reading, especially where you disagree with the author
Reading with a pen and arguing with the book as you go: a line under the claim, a question mark, a counterexample squeezed into the margin. Note-takers say it forces them to connect new material to what they already know rather than letting the eyes slide over the page, which is why it roughly doubles the time a book takes. Many only do it for nonfiction, or for the books they expect to think about later. It costs nothing beyond a willingness to mark up the copy.
Who backs it
Sorted by strength of stance
- Bill GatesDoes it
Microsoft co-founder · Gates Notes reading lists
Writes notes in about a fifth of the books he reads, which he says doubles the time each takes but is key to his learning. If he disagrees with an author, the counterargument goes in the margin.
Source: CNBC Make It: Bill Gates: On vacation I get to read about 3 hours a day“And the more I dislike a book, the more time I take to write margin notes.”
CNBC Make It: This is the simple trick Bill Gates uses to remember what he reads (opens in a new tab) · 21 Mar 2019
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