lonita.net

Commonplace book

general journal junk  -  idealog

I think we should bring back the commonplace book to be a more common thing. We have a plethora of ways to record our own data, but how many more structured ways do we think of when it comes to the data of others? Of quotations that caught our attention? Of pieces of information we want for later reference? Of notes regarding things we want to look up? Of scrapbooks of notable things rather than collage for creativity? Of poems? And so on.

While diaries record personal info, a commonplace book would be more about things you encounter, like notes from a lecture, or a record of education. Perhaps they are commentaries on something literary, social, or religious. You could create your own encyclopaedia by answering questions that come to mind of things you want to look up later, or words you want to define.

They did use a method of categorisation, so information wasn't just through the book willy-nilly.

They're like a massive book of marginalia, without the marginalia.

Here's some basic tips on a handwritten version. You can always choose to do this digitally.

• Choose a book with page numbering for easy reference.
• Divide the book into sections if you have specific categories. Choose ones that reflect your needs, interests, goals, etc. You might include: quotations, Ideas, book summaries, reflections, writing prompts, etc.
• A consistent format for entries to make the information easier to locate later. You might consider how you'd set up for a date, info source, reflections, etc. You should choose a consistent/standardised system for categorising entries.
• Capturing everything is usually the word of thumb. including quotations, excerpts, thoughts, and observations. Note down your ideas, snippets from books, articles, conversations, or any source of inspiration.
• Always include the source of the data, whether it's a book title, author, website, or person.
• Choose whether you want to organise entries chronologically or categorise them thematically, or both.
• Choose a book size that is convenient for carrying.
• Be flexible to adapting your commonplace book as you need to. Including differing categories, organisation, or experiment with different formats.
• Create an index, table of contents, etc.

• Incorporate more visual elements, such as sketches, doodles, or photographs, alongside the text.
• Add prompts, questions, or activities to your commonplace book to make it more interactive.
• Add a quote a day, along with a brief reflection or thought on the quote.
• Focus on quotes and passages from historical figures, events, or texts.
• Collect lyrics and poems that impact you.
• Create a commonplace book where you write letters.
• You could use your commonplace book as a form of creative expression, incorporating art, poetry, or other forms of creative writing
• You could structure your commonplace book around theme.
• Or focus on more specific topics.