Tiny Writing: Notes in a Nutshell

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the practice of writing notes in extremely small handwriting, exploring the motivations, techniques, and implications of this approach. Participants share personal experiences, challenges, and preferences related to note-taking, particularly in academic contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their ability to fit multiple lines of notes into a single line of college-ruled paper, highlighting their use of a fine rollerball pen.
  • Another participant expresses disbelief at the small handwriting and questions the practicality of such a method, suggesting that it may reflect on self-esteem.
  • Some participants propose that writing small can be a sign of efficiency, with one noting that faster writing often results in smaller script.
  • Concerns are raised about the readability of small handwriting, with one participant questioning whether it is comfortable to read back their notes.
  • There are suggestions for alternative paper types, such as graph paper, to accommodate smaller writing and improve organization.
  • Several participants share anecdotes about their own writing habits, with some noting that their handwriting size varies based on speed and context.
  • One participant humorously suggests that the next step for tiny writing could be transferring notes to microfiche.
  • Another participant mentions the use of illustrations in notes, contrasting with their own preference for text due to space constraints.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the merits and drawbacks of writing small, with no clear consensus on whether it is an effective or practical method. Some appreciate the efficiency, while others question its readability and practicality.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various factors affecting their writing, such as the type of pen used, the quality of paper, and personal writing speed. There are also references to the challenges of fitting information onto standard paper sizes.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students, educators, and individuals interested in note-taking strategies, handwriting styles, and efficiency in academic settings.

motai
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I was wondering if anyone here writes extremely small. I write my notes in a very small font and I am working on fitting my English Composition 2 notes on a single sheet of paper (year course). My personal record is being able to fit seven of my lines into one college ruled line. I take notes using a fine rollerball ink pen.

For instance, this picture is five weeks worth of notes while taking a number theory/linear algebra course on a standard 8.5 x 11 college-ruled paper. It starts at the top, goes all the way down and back up along the margin and along the top margin to the right. The image is slightly skewed to 80% of its original size for size practicality.

http://imageuploader.milbrathnet.net/uploads/notesmall2.jpg
 
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SCARY!
How could you stand to waste all that space at the bottom of the page with that big, giant SQUIGGLE?
 
Are you nuts, pardner? What if you LOST that sheet of paper?

You know, too, that there's a theory that those with very small handwriting have very small, uh, amounts of self-esteem...

I don't believe that, btw! But if you're going to write that tiny, you might want to go get a Rapidograph or the throw-away equivalent...any art supply stores near you? That's where I get mine.

I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE HOW TINY YOU WRITE!
 
Also, if you put tape over both sides of the holes on the side, you could write right over the holes! BTW...what's on the other side of that paper? Is it...BLANK??!??!
 
Originally posted by motai
I write my notes in a very small font and I am working on fitting my English Composition 2 notes on a single sheet of paper (year course).

why?
 
Motai, it's a sign of an efficient mind. Large script is more time consuming. I notice that the faster I write, the smaller the script gets.
 
I love it, Motai!

I used to write small in my schedule book because they never gave you enough space for everything a person has to do in a day when you're in college. I challenged my self to get even smaller, for the fun of it.

Since then I met a guy who is more like you, and had me beat by a mile, but I'd say you have him beat. I have never seen anyone write as tiny as you.

I bet there is a whole school of competition for the tiniest writing in Japan. That's the kind of thing they get into.
 
You know, things like that are why I learned to type. Really really quickly.

Other than that, that's... Scary cool, for lack of a single word.

cookiemonster
 
and i thought i wrote pretty small. The good thing about writing small is that no-one can say you have spelled something wrong cos they can't read it. Actually, the smaller my writing gets the neater it becomes. Usually my letters like 'a' and 'e' are about a milimeter tall, but that is my scruffy tall writing, if i do smaller, then its SWEET cos even i can read it then!
 
  • #10
Originally posted by Tsunami
Also, if you put tape over both sides of the holes on the side, you could write right over the holes! BTW...what's on the other side of that paper? Is it...BLANK??!??!

Its blank, otherwise the ink would bleed on the other side, ruining it.


Originally posted by Evo
Motai, it's a sign of an efficient mind. Large script is more time consuming. I notice that the faster I write, the smaller the script gets.

It also saves paper and the environment :smile: .

BTW, the first words on that paper are appropriately: Number Theory and the last ones are the smallest.
 
  • #11
People still write?

Seriously, I never write more than 5 lines on a piece of paper.

Njorl
 
  • #12
When I have to write fast, my script gets bigger
Why do they have to make the space inbetween lines so huge anyway? I am always in search of paper with a lot of lines, so more can fit on it and it would look a lot neater and orderly.. but it simply is not available [b(]

My lab journal had 5 mm squares, which was very practical and neat. Now I am back at using ordinary binder paper, though which my ink leaks .. but I am not going to pay €25 for a lab journal .. why are they so expensive??

And oh, I can't see the picture motai.. oh well, reading the reactions it must be too small to fit on my screen..
 
  • #13
Originally posted by Monique
When I have to write fast, my script gets bigger
Why do they have to make the space inbetween lines so huge anyway? I am always in search of paper with a lot of lines, so more can fit on it and it would look a lot neater and orderly.. but it simply is not available [b(]

My lab journal had 5 mm squares, which was very practical and neat. Now I am back at using ordinary binder paper, though which my ink leaks .. but I am not going to pay €25 for a lab journal .. why are they so expensive??

And oh, I can't see the picture motai.. oh well, reading the reactions it must be too small to fit on my screen..

Mine is the exact opposite, when I write faster, it gets smaller. Monique, if you can't see it here go http://imageuploader.milbrathnet.net/uploads/notesmall2.jpg . My english notes are far more orderly, but there is less information (ill have to scan that in sometime as well).

Imagine what my notes would look like if they were full text (no mathematics that take up space)
 
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  • #14
wow...
okay.. I have three questions..
1) Is it completely comfortable for you to go back and read your writing? and related to this question..
2)Do you wear reading glasses?
3)Are you a Virgo or an Aquarius by chance?
 
  • #15
So the next step is putting it all on microfiche by hand?

(hysterical laughing)

Oh man, that made my day and I just got up a few minutes ago.
(ha ha!)
 
  • #16
Will those notes actually serve you well referring to them later? I also write very small, but my handwriting suffers as a result; however, I can type ~150wpm on a good day and recapitulate lectures verbatim if I have my laptop with me. I then have all the usual tools available to refer to the notes for searching, storage, etc.

Everyone has their methods, and if that works for you then it's certainly not the place of anyone else to say it's inefficient.
 
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  • #17
Originally posted by skywise
wow...
okay.. I have three questions..
1) Is it completely comfortable for you to go back and read your writing? and related to this question..
2)Do you wear reading glasses?
3)Are you a Virgo or an Aquarius by chance?

1. Its readable to me, so long as my pen didn't ink blot on the paper. I can still usually recognize the words though unless the blot is really big. Blots form on new pens, it gets easier to write extra-fine when the ink runs dry. I do refer back to my notes to restart the items that I have forgotten (not generally recommended for learning new material, just for remembering.)

2. Nope, 20/15 left eye, 20/50 right eye (this eye is bad).

3. Yes, I do happen to be a Virgo.
 
  • #18
You got to try the microfiche thing sometime.
 
  • #19
The truly gifted take notes on a grain of rice, Grasshopper.
 
  • #20
I just bought a 0.2 mm line width pen today, that should help :P
 
  • #21
Originally posted by Monique

Why do they have to make the space inbetween lines so huge anyway? I am always in search of paper with a lot of lines, so more can fit on it and it would look a lot neater and orderly.. but it simply is not available [b(]

Have you considered graphing paper, lots of lines..

Motai I got to hand it to you, I don't know how you're able to efficiently solve those Matrix problems. Linear Matrices gave me a headache, as it loops constantly.
 
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  • #22
A picture is worth a thousand words, so most of my notes are highly illustrated - no matter what the subject!
 
  • #23
Originally posted by Math Is Hard
A picture is worth a thousand words, so most of my notes are highly illustrated - no matter what the subject!

Im not very illustrative in my notes. Takes up too much space. Usually when I do I end up screwing up somehow and scribbling it (just look at bottom left area of notes). It proves that I can't even draw a decent graph (which has nowhere near the detail a picture would have)
 

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