Overview
This lecture explains how to create and use a personal compendium—a paper notebook collecting and analyzing information—to learn and master new topics effectively.
What is a Compendium?
- A compendium is a systematically organized collection of information and analysis on a body of knowledge.
- Compendiums differ from commonplace books, which focus on collecting quotations.
- Encyclopedias are a type of compendium, usually organized alphabetically to cover broad topics.
Benefits of Making Your Own Compendium
- Writing information in your own words helps better encode and recall knowledge.
- Handwriting notes leads to deeper learning than typing, as supported by psychological studies.
- Paper notebooks enhance information acquisition and retrieval compared to digital devices.
- The process aids active engagement, making information more personal and memorable.
Types of Compendiums
- Personal Encyclopedia: General information for personal use.
- Public Encyclopedia: General information shared with others.
- Personal Topic-Specific Compendium: In-depth information on one topic for personal mastery.
- Public Topic-Specific Compendium: Topic-specific information intended for public or communal use.
How to Start Your Own Compendium
- Choose a paper notebook that suits your preferences.
- Decide if your compendium will be general (encyclopedia) or focused on a specific topic.
- Clarify whether it’s for personal use or to share with others.
Collecting Entries for Your Compendium
- Ad Hoc Entries: Add information as you encounter it.
- Post Hoc Entries: Organize and create entries from information already collected.
- Ante Hoc Entries: Decide on entry topics beforehand and research to fill them in.
- Using an upside-down and backwards index in your notebook allows maximum space for both index and entries.
Using Your Compendium for Learning
- Regularly review and read through the compendium to reinforce memory.
- Practice active recall by reproducing entries from memory or explaining them aloud.
- Teach entries to others to deepen understanding.
- Treat your compendium as a work in progress; perfection is not required.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Compendium — a comprehensive, systematically presented collection of information and analysis on a subject.
- Commonplace Book — a notebook for collecting quotations, often organized by themes.
- Active Recall — recalling information from memory as a study technique.
- Index — a list of topics or entries, often placed at the end of a notebook for easy reference.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Choose a notebook and decide the topic and type of your compendium.
- Begin adding entries using ad hoc, post hoc, or ante hoc methods.
- Regularly review and use active recall techniques with your compendium.
- Accept imperfection and adjust your compendium as you learn.