As you stumble across valuable information, save it (Highlight) along with a question for which you see the passage as the answer (Question). Then write a compressed version of that passage expressed in your own words (Answer).

Highlight, Question, and Answer (HQ&A) Notes are the knife in our knife and fork note-taking toolkit.

Using the HQ&A note-taking technique when reading non-fiction will leave you with flashcard-style notes that will promote your ability to retain and recall information over the long term while giving you evergreen notes to reuse and remix.

the HQ&A technique is for when narrow depth is a priority. That is, you're reading something that is honestly worth distilling and understanding on a deeper level for the sake of your studies, work, or intellectual curiosity.

If shallow depth is your priority, our Jump Note technique will be a better fit. This technique is for when we're thinking fast like if we're exploring a new topic or slowing down to take more thoughtful notes isn't preferable or practical.

reading is playing back someone else's thoughts in our own mind. But we want to develop our own original thoughts; our note-taking system should be designed accordingly.

information you can apply becomes an insight. By thinking of a question, you force your mind to understand its meaning and draw connections. That switch from passive to active is what makes whatever you're reading stick.

Highlight = The original context for your reference.
Question = An application of the new information to form an insight.
Answer =  A compressed version of the highlight's insight expressed in your own words.

Questions don't need to be complicated, nor do they need to weave in every aspect of what you've highlighted. They just need to get to the heart of what you want to take away from the text.

Like all notes, we may never use them. That's fine. Storing ideas for the future is only part of the value of taking notes. The other part is digging intellectual rabbit holes that strengthen our thinking skills.