I dont. I overoptimise, over systematise, and over engineer a note taking solution, and then never actually use it. Jokes aside, I do find note taking to be a

I dont. I overoptimise, over systematise, and over engineer a note taking solution, and then never actually use it. Jokes aside, I do find note taking to be a disruptive context switch a lot of the time. The best way I found to get around this when reading non-fiction is to 1) read a chapter/article through once from beginning to end without taking any notes or even paying particular attention (optional step if time poor, but genuinely helpful), 2) reread more attentively now that I have some bird's-eye view of the author's intent and structure of the chapter/article, occassionally taking little mental notes or asking myself questions, but not usually taking written notes, 3) go through the text paragraph by paragraph, taking copious notes (optionally blended with the next step if time poor), 4) write section summaries, what was the author's intent in writing this section, what arguments did they present, what evidence did they use to strengthen their position, and does anything immediately leap to mind that is relevant, or challenges what the author is saying?, 5) read through the text one last time, double checking you've understood what the author is saying before writing a short summary of the text, presenting the same things as the section summaries, but at a greater distance. Obviously, this can be extremely expensive. To the point that you can't possibly use it for every or even most texts that you encounter. However I have used this technique at a graduate level to understand in detail texts that left other students completely flummoxed. So if you are in a situation where a single text is key to you understanding something you need to learn, this is extremely effective. Edit: I forgot to mention, that you should take notes in full form prose both as if you were explaining it to someome who wasn't reading the text. Furthermore, reread notes immediately after and ask yourself questions to check you've really understood the botes you've taken. This is why reading the text top to bottom at least once before any note taking is important in my view, because it helps you avoid ignoring lack of understanding on the assumption that the text will clear up something later on, when it may require active attention from you. Furthermore, feel free to hope around and reference the text while taking notes and double checking your understanding, but I recommend taking the notes in strict linear order in most cases.