Principlev1

Engage in retrieval practice rather than passive re-reading

Engage in retrieval practice rather than passive re-reading during review, because effortful reconstruction strengthens memory while recognition produces only false familiarity.

Why This Is a Principle

Grounded in Encoding Depth Determines Retention (encoding depth determines retention), Externalization Exposes Hidden Structure (generation reveals gaps), and Exponential Information Decay (decay without rehearsal). Derives from Bjork's desirable difficulties research and Roediger & Karpicke's demonstration that retrieval practice produces 4x better retention than restudying. Prescribes active questioning during review rather than passive scanning.

Source Lessons

L-0019

Review completes the capture loop

Captured thoughts that are never reviewed are effectively still lost. The capture habit preserves raw material; the review habit transforms it into usable knowledge. Without review, your capture system becomes a graveyard of good intentions.

Connections

Derived From (3)

AxiomExponential Information Decay AxiomEncoding Depth Determines Retention AxiomExternalization Exposes Hidden Structure

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