“This reading technique put me in the top 2% of all my classes from undergrad school to my masters at Berkley.” - North Caroline University’s Professor Jeffrey Kaplan
What is the purpose of reading if you don’t remember any of it later?
Distraction.
If you read to learn and not for distraction(nothing wrong with that), pay attention because this has the potential to skyrocket your learning.
But only if you say yes to this question.
Would you read 50% slower to retain 10x more?
It sounds like a no-brainer to me.
Retaining more means:
- Actually acquiring knowledge
- Be able to tap into that knowledge at will
- Be able to write efficiently from memory
Unfortunately…
Most people are interested in reading 2x faster
To brag about how many books they read in a month (without retaining anything)
You don’t want to post that it took you 1 month to read a 200-page book or that your read only 5 books last year, do you?
I don’t think so.
But the truth is that the number of books you read or your reading speed is irrelevant if you are reading to gain knowledge and not to pass time.
If retaining knowledge is what you are after, here is how you can read for maximum retention.
Step 1: Summarize the first 3 paragraphs into a single sentence each
This is called “synthesis”.
When you summarize a block of text down to a single sentence, you are forced to understand the meaning of that text.
You encourage your brain to find relationships and patterns.
Here’s how I’d do it for the following 3 paragraphs.
- The easiest way to drive intrinsic value is by writing a list with pen and paper
- Write 25 things you are curious about to the point of spending a weekend studying it
- Be specific, the more detail the better.
Step 2: Summarize the 3 sentences into a single one.
You’ll have to leave stuff out.
That is the point.
Your brain is forced to find and pick what it considers the most important points.
Here’s how I’d do it for my 3 sentences above:
- Write down in detail 25 things you are very curious about.
Step 3: Rince and repeat for the rest of the book
No, it’s not easy.
It’ll take you twice the time to read the book.
But you’ll 10x your retention.
I suggest skimming through the book to see if the content is worth retaining.
If so, this is retention in steroids.
As usual: Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life.
Top comments (7)
Nice advice.
It's similar to two other techniques I've read about for improving understanding.
The first is to try to explain a subject to a five year old.
The second is to repeat what someone has said in a conversation to check for any miscommunications.
I think the common factor in all is that we have to actively process the information that we have just taken in.
Thanks for sharing!
I am glad you liked it Anthony.
Yeah, teaching a 5-year-old or even an object is extremely helpful too.
Its just as you said. Its all about actively processing the information you are taking in
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Typo in the title
Thanks for the heads up Jon!
your post always fit my appetite. I like your self-mastery post.
mhmm.. I have my own version of increasing retention on what you read. It depends on the books you read.
Unless the authors of the books you read really structure their content well, you can't retain well even after you repeat it.
Thank you for sharing. I love your clarity on points as well.
Looks like good advice.
Another technique that works well for textbooks is skipping to the end where they may have a quiz and test yourself before you read the chapter. Then afterward read the chapter. Works wonders.
Quite interesting, requires some effort but it looks like it might pay off in the long run