jotting

Jotting refers to the act of writing down brief notes, ideas, or reminders quickly, with minimal concern for grammar or full sentences. It is used to capture fleeting thoughts or essential details for later elaboration. Jotting can be done by hand or with digital devices and occurs in personal, educational, and professional contexts.

The term comes from the verb jot, meaning to write briefly. The noun form appears in English from the 14th century. Historically, jotting served as a rough record of observations, quotes, or tasks, and over time developed into various note-taking practices.

Common formats include one-line notes, bullet points, margin notes, or quick sketches. People use notebooks, sticky notes, or mobile and computer apps. Modern extensions include bullet journaling and lightweight shorthand systems designed to maximize speed and legibility.

Benefits of jotting include rapid capture of information and reduced cognitive load, creating a store of ideas for later processing. Limitations include possible loss of context, illegibility, and the need for subsequent organization before the notes become useful.

See also: note-taking, shorthand, journaling, bullet journaling.