Once we capture something, how do we structure the note so that it’s easily discoverable and usable in the future? How do we make sure what we’re saving today adds value to future projects, even when we can’t predict or even imagine what those projects might be?

Making a note discoverable involves making it small, simple, and easy to digest. We accomplish this using compression: creating highly condensed summaries, without all the fluff.

But we also want to make our notes understandable. This involves including all the context: the details, the examples, and cited sources to be sure nothing falls through the cracks.

What is Progressive Summarization?

Progressive Summarization is a method to balance compression and context. It involves five steps or "layers," each of which is optional:

• Layer 1: Take a note.
• Layer 2: Bold the best parts.
• Layer 3: Highlight the best bolded parts.
• Layer 4: Summarize the note.
• Layer 5: Remix the note, turning it into a deliverable, such as a tweet, a tweetstorm, or blog post.

What does a progressively summarized note look like?

Here's an example of a progressively summarized note (about progressive summarization):