What is a commonplace book?
A commonplace book is a personal notebook or journal used to collect and organize information that you find interesting, insightful, or inspiring. It’s a method of compiling knowledge, thoughts, observations, quotes, anecdotes, facts, and anything else you want to remember or revisit.
Unlike a diary or journal where you record your own thoughts and experiences, a commonplace book focuses on collecting excerpts from external sources as a way to log and organize information for later reference.
The practice of keeping commonplace books dates back to ancient times and was particularly popular during the Renaissance and the 19th century. Many prominent individuals, including John Locke, Virginia Woolf, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, kept commonplace books to aid in their studies, writing, and personal growth.
How to use a commonplace book
- Choose a notebook and decide on your organization method:
- Thematic or Topical: Divide your notebook into sections for different topics (e.g., “Love”, “Adventure”, “Writing”) and then add relevant quotes and excerpts to the corresponding sections.
- By Source Type: Organize by the type of content you’re collecting (e.g., “Things to Research”, “Words to Look Up”, “Quotes to Remember”).
- Chronological with Index: Simply add entries chronologically and create an index at the front of the book to easily refer back to specific topics and page numbers. Some notebooks, like the Leuchtturm 1917, have a built-in table of contents for convenience.
- Visual Organization: Use a system like the “Japanese notebook hack” to visually tag and categorize content on the edges of pages, making it easy to quickly locate different types of information.
- What to include:
- Quotes from books, articles, speeches, and conversations.
- Anecdotes, proverbs, and wise sayings.
- Song lyrics and poetry.
- Lists of various kinds (books to read, places to visit, etc.).
- Notes and excerpts from podcasts, videos, and documentaries.
- Personal reflections and insights inspired by the collected material.
- Diagrams, sketches, and doodles.
- Tips for effective use:
- Consistency: Make it a regular habit to add entries, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
- Review Regularly: Periodically revisit your entries to reinforce learning, spark new ideas, and appreciate the value of your collection.
- Don’t Overthink It: Start small, don’t be afraid to be messy, and allow your style to evolve over time.
- Make it Personal: Choose a notebook and a system that you enjoy using, and make it a space that reflects your interests and personality.
- Don’t Be Too Selective at First: If something catches your eye, capture it. You can always refine and curate your collection later.
- Write Things Down: Studies suggest that writing information down improves retention compared to simply copying and pasting digital text.
- Find Accountability: Share your commonplace book with a friend or writing partner for motivation and discussion.
Ultimately, the most important aspect of a commonplace book is to make it work for you. It’s a personal tool for learning, inspiration, and cultivating a deeper engagement with the world of ideas.
Examples of commonplace book entries.
Examples of commonplace book entries are as diverse as the people who keep them. The beauty of a commonplace book lies in its versatility and personalized nature
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Here’s a breakdown of common types of entries you might find, along with specific examples:
1. Quotes and excerpts
- From books:
“For once we begin to feel deeply all the aspects of our lives, we begin to demand from ourselves and our life pursuits that they feel in accordance with the joy which we know ourselves to be capable of,” – Audre Lorde, “Uses of the Erotic.” - From articles or websites: A summary of an interesting research finding on habit formation from an online article, or a thought-provoking passage about minimalism.
- From conversations: A profound or insightful remark from a mentor, friend, or even a stranger.
- Proverbs and sayings: “When you are willing to feel it, you can heal it.” or “Know Thyself” (γνωθι σαυτον).
- Song lyrics or poetry: A line from a favorite song that resonates, or a stanza from a poem that captures a feeling or idea.
2. Personal observations and reflections
- Daily Gratitude: A list of things to be grateful for each day.
- Reflections on Experiences: Lessons learned from a challenging situation, or insights gained from a conversation.
- Dreams and Aspirations: A note about a recent dream, or an outline of a personal goal or aspiration.
- Nature Observations: A description of the color of the sky, the shapes of the clouds, or an interesting bird.
- Moments of self-discovery: An insight into thoughts or behavior, or a moment when something important about oneself was realized.
3. Lists
- Books to read: A list of books that pique interest, perhaps with a brief note on why.
- Movies/TV shows to watch: Titles of films or series recommended by friends or reviewers.
- Habits to develop: A list of positive habits to cultivate, like daily reading or journaling.
- Recipes: A favorite recipe, or a list of recipes to try.
- Places to visit: A list of travel destinations, or a breakdown of specific landmarks and attractions within those locations.
4. Creative inspiration
- Story ideas: Snippets of dialogue, character descriptions, or potential plot points for a creative writing project.
- Sketches or doodles: Visual representations of ideas, scenes, or anything that catches the eye.
- Brainstorming notes: Thoughts and associations around a particular topic or problem.
5. Practical notes and information
- Recipes: A recipe for a favorite dish or a new recipe.
- Instructions or “how-tos”: Steps for cleaning a fountain pen, or a cheat sheet for programming language commands.
- Interesting facts: Anything that piques curiosity, from historical trivia to scientific discoveries.
- Definitions of words or concepts: New vocabulary words or explanations of complex ideas.
There are no strict rules for commonplace entries. The key is to capture what is found meaningful and interesting in a way that works best.. They can be organized thematically, chronologically, or a system like color-coding or tagging can be used to easily find specific information later.
One of the great things about commonplace books is their flexibility. You can choose an organizational structure that suits your needs and how you want to use the material later.
Here are several popular methods, along with their pros and cons:
1. Chronological (linear)
- How it works: You simply add entries one after another, in the order you come across them, according to The Paper Mouse. You might include the date of the entry to help you track your reading or inspiration. Archer and Olive suggest leaving some blank pages at the beginning for a table of contents or index.
- Pros: It’s the simplest method to start with, as you don’t need to pre-plan any categories. You just open your notebook and start writing. You can develop your system as you go, and you may find themes emerging over time.
- Cons: Without a system for indexing or categorizing, it might be challenging to quickly find specific information later.
2. Thematic (topical)
- How it works: You divide your notebook into sections based on themes or topics that are important to you. For example, you might have sections for “Love,” “Adventure,” “Philosophy,” or “Writing”. You then add relevant entries to the corresponding section. You can create an index at the beginning of the book to help you locate different topics.
- Pros: This method makes it easier to find information related to a specific subject, allowing you to build up a deeper understanding and collection of ideas on topics that interest you most. You can add and edit sections over time to match your evolving interests.
- Cons: You might run out of space in a particular section, forcing you to adjust or create a separate index to span multiple sections says Reddit user. Also, if you have a wide variety of interests, it might be hard to assign entries to just one theme.
3. Alphabetical with index
- How it works: You can create an alphabetical index at the beginning of your book to keep track of the subjects you include in your commonplace book, says The Paper Mouse. As you add new entries, you can update the index by adding the page numbers where those entries can be found. Some notebooks, like the Leuchtturm1917, have a built-in table of contents that makes this method particularly convenient.
- Pros: This method allows for flexibility in adding entries wherever there’s space, while still providing an efficient way to find specific information later. You can organize the index alphabetically, by the topic of the entry, or by the author or source.
- Cons: It can be time-consuming to create and maintain an index, especially if you have a lot of entries.
4. Color-coding and visual organization
- How it works: You can assign colors to different themes or categories, then use those colors to mark the entries in your notebook or in your index. For example, you might use a yellow marker for quotations, a blue marker for astronomy entries, and a purple marker for recipes. You can create a color key at the beginning of your notebook to keep track of your assigned colors and themes.
- Pros: It provides a visually appealing and intuitive way to organize your entries and quickly locate relevant information. You can even decide on your themes after filling the notebook with entries.
- Cons: It may not be suitable if you prefer a more traditional or text-based approach to organization.
5. Japanese notebook hack
- How it works: As explained by criticalmargins.com, this method involves creating a visual marking system on the side of the pages. You can use a sharpie or other marker to create a line on the side of the page, matching it to the corresponding entry in the index. The index can be placed at the beginning or end of your notebook.
- Pros: This method offers a fast and efficient way to quickly locate specific information within your notebook without flipping through each page. You can use various methods for marking the edges, like different colors or lengths of lines.
- Cons: This method might be challenging for those who prefer a more traditional index or find it difficult to maintain a consistent visual system.
Choosing your organization method
- Consider your learning style: Do you prefer visual organization, or are you more comfortable with a chronological or alphabetical approach?
- Determine your priorities: Is it more important to find information quickly, or to simply enjoy the process of collecting and compiling ideas?
- Think about the type of content you collect: Are you primarily interested in quotes, or do you collect a wider variety of information?
- Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to organize your commonplace book. According to The Paper Mouse, the most important thing is to have a system that works for you and encourages you to keep using it. You can even combine elements of different methods to create a personalized system.
