The RemNote Community is a place where like-minded students, learners, and professionals share RemNote documents and flashcards.
To ensure high-quality documents and a thriving learning environment, we've created this concise guide to help you write great shared documents. We encourage you to contribute and remember, sharing is caring! Learn more how to share RemNote documents here.
Structure Your Document
Using a clear structure with hierarchical headings helps readers get a high-level overview of your content and navigate around it. Type /h1, /h2, and /h3 to insert first, second, and third-level headings respectively.
Writing good flashcards
Good flashcards share common characteristics:
No orphans: The general advice is to generate multiple cards within the same context. This makes sense, as your mind generates more hooks, which then can pull a bigger context more easily.
Atomic: As small as possible. Clear answer = move fast in the review. If you find yourself blocked during the review, ask yourself this: "How could this card be re-written? Can I split it into smaller cards?"
Prompts should force active recall. Avoid making pattern matching easy (in a chapter about Gandhi, most answers will be Gandhi). Discourage cheap hints (“rhymes with parrot” - carrot). Keep the language consistent so a hook is made
Connected thematically: to related ideas and concepts using References.
Don't ignore the basics: Sometimes people think they shouldn't create flashcards for basic concepts, but the cost of forgetting the basics is much larger than the cost of occasionally reviewing them. You should still create flashcards for basic concepts. Don't worry about wasting time, RemNote's spaced-repetition algorithm will schedule easy cards days and then months away after you've answered them a few times.
Use redundancy: Create flashcards about the different angles of the concepts. You can structure them as descriptors of concepts. Some good ones are: constraints, definition, analogy, components, example, implementation, or opposite. Some popular ones for medical students are causes, symptoms, treatment, complications, diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, or risk.
Utilize the Concept Descriptor Framework
We recommend using the Concept Descriptor Framework to create effective and engaging documents. This framework allows you to break down complex ideas into simpler components. Learn how to use it here.
Choose the Right Format
Different formats have their pros and cons. Consider the following when choosing a format for your document:
Prose-Based Documents:
Pros: Easy to read, tells a story, and engages the reader.
Cons: Can be lengthy, harder to skim, and may not be suitable for all topics.
Hierarchical Structures:
Pros: Clear organization, easy to understand, and quick to navigate.
Cons: May be too rigid or complex for some topics.
Indicate your Document Style
You'll notice that there are different styles of shared documents. Some of them might be categorized as:
in-depth notes (textbook-like),
high-level summary (only important content/minimal notes)
sketch notes (less polished)
Mentioning the style of the shared document in the title or as a topic will help others identify if the document fits their preferences.
Medicine Document Example
Good medicine notes should be clear, concise, and well-organized. Here's how you can structure medical school notes effectively:
Title: Give your document a clear and concise title that reflects the topic.
Source: Include recent guidelines from prominent institutions or peer-reviewed studies.
Introduction:
Epidemiology: Provide an overview of the prevalence, incidence, and demographics related to the condition.
Definitions: Define key terms or introduce important concepts related to the topic.
Etiology (causes): Discuss potential causes or risk factors for the condition.
Pathophysiology: Describe the underlying processes or mechanisms that result in the development of the condition.
Clinical symptoms/presentation: Outline the typical signs and symptoms or clinical findings associated with the condition.
Diagnosis: Describe the criteria and diagnostic tests commonly used to identify the condition.
Complications: List possible complications that may arise from the condition.
Management/treatment
Investigation: Explain any tests or assessments that are part of diagnosing or monitoring the condition.
Management: Outline the treatment approach, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological options.
Pharmacological: Detail any medications, dosages, and durations commonly used in treating the condition.
Non-pharmacological: Explain any lifestyle changes, physical therapies, or other interventions that may be recommended.
Prognosis: Provide information on the expected outcomes, remission rates, and long-term effects associated with the condition.
Prevention: Discuss potential methods to prevent the development or recurrence of the condition.
Summary
Here are some tips to create popular and valuable documents, inspired by shared Anki and Quizlet decks:
Use clear and concise language.
Organize information logically into hierarchical sections
Focus on key concepts and ideas
Include examples and explanations.
Ensure content is accurate and up-to-date.
Polish Your Documents
Taking the time to polish your documents contributes to the community and helps others learn more effectively. Review your work for clarity, accuracy, and relevance.
Don't Be Afraid to Share
Remember, every published document can help someone. Don't feel pressured to share only perfect documents. This community thrives when we all work together to share our knowledge.
Happy writing! Publish your first document now 👉 https://remnote.com/community 🎉