Typed Note Editor

The typed note editor lets you write detailed explanations, examples, questions, and insights in your own words. It is a Markdown editor: you type in a plain text box, use the toolbar to add formatting marks, and watch a live preview show how the note will look. It's perfect for practicing the Feynman Technique by transforming complex concepts into simple, clear language.

Creating a Typed Note

To create a new typed note:

The Editing Interface

The typed note editor provides:

Title Field

An optional Title field ("Note title (optional)") sits above the note. A title is shown in the app bar and as the note's name in lists. If you leave it blank, the note is named after the first words of your text.

Note Field

A plain text box where you write. It starts about ten lines tall and grows as you type, so you are never limited by space. Formatting shows up as Markdown marks, such as **bold**.

Toolbar

A row of keys above the text box that insert Markdown marks for you (explained below). On narrow screens the row scrolls sideways.

Live Preview

On an iPad in landscape, the Edit pane and the Preview pane sit side by side, so you see the formatted result as you type. On a phone or in portrait, one pane shows at a time and you switch between Edit and Preview.

Word and Character Count

The footer always shows how many words and characters you have written, for example "33 words · 180 characters". It is handy for checking whether you have explained something thoroughly enough.

Unsaved Indicator

An amber UNSAVED pill appears once you change something. There is no autosave, so tap Save to keep your work. The footer shows "Saving..." while the save is in progress.

Formatting Options

Make your typed notes clear and organized with the toolbar keys. Each key inserts a Markdown mark around your selected text, or at the cursor, and the preview renders it. The keys, in order, are: Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, Heading, Bullet List, Numbered List, Checklist, Quote, Inline Code, Code Block, and Link.

Basic Text Formatting

Bold (inserts **text**) Emphasize key terms and important concepts.

• Use for: Critical vocabulary, main ideas, key takeaways

Italic (inserts *text*) Add subtle emphasis or denote examples.

• Use for: Examples, foreign terms, book titles

Strikethrough (inserts ~~text~~) Show corrections or things you initially misunderstood.

• Use for: Documenting your learning evolution

Underline is not available in typed notes. Use bold for emphasis instead.

Headings

Use headings to organize your note into sections. The Heading key inserts a ## mark (a second-level heading). You can also type # for a larger main heading or ### for a smaller sub-heading yourself, and the preview shows all three sizes.

Example structure, as you would type it:

# Main Concept

## My Explanation
[Your simplified explanation here]

## Real-World Example
[An example that helped you understand]

## Questions I Still Have
[Things you need to research]

Lists

Bulleted Lists (Bullet List key) Use for non-sequential items:

• Key points
• Examples
• Ideas

Numbered Lists (Numbered List key) Use for sequential steps or ranked items:

1. First step
2. Second step
3. Third step

Checklists (Checklist key) Use for things you still need to do, such as topics to look up.

Lists help break complex information into digestible chunks and make your notes scannable.

Quotes

The Quote key marks a passage as a quote. Use it to:

• Highlight important passages from your source material
• Distinguish between your words and others' words
• Emphasize key insights

Example:

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." – Richard Feynman

Code

The Inline Code and Code Block keys are handy for formulas, commands, or code snippets you want to keep exactly as typed.

Links

The Link key inserts a [link text](url) template for you to fill in. Add links to:

• Online resources you found helpful
• Video explanations you watched

In the preview, tapping a link opens it in your browser. Tables are not supported.

What to Write in Typed Notes

Explanations in Your Own Words

This is the heart of the Feynman Technique. Take a concept from your study note and explain it as if teaching a friend who knows nothing about the topic.

Example:

Personal Examples

Add examples that helped you understand, especially ones from your own life or experiences.

Example:

Analogies

Create comparisons that make abstract concepts concrete.

Example:

Questions and Gaps

Write down what's still confusing. Admitting confusion is the first step to clarity!

Example:

Memory Aids and Mnemonics

Create acronyms, rhymes, or memory tricks that work for you.

Example:

Study Strategies

Note what's working (or not working) as you learn this material.

Example:

Writing Tips

Use Simple Language

Avoid copying jargon from textbooks. If you use a complex term, immediately define it in simple words.

Bad: "Mitochondria perform oxidative phosphorylation via the electron transport chain."

Good: "Mitochondria are like power plants in cells. They take in glucose (sugar) and oxygen and convert them into ATP (energy) through a series of chemical reactions."

Write in First Person

Use "I" and "me"—this is YOUR personal note, not a textbook.

Better: "I understand photosynthesis as..." instead of "Photosynthesis is understood as..."

Embrace Imperfection

Your first explanation won't be perfect. That's okay! The act of writing imperfect explanations IS the learning process.

Be Specific

Vague statements don't help. Use concrete details, numbers, and examples.

Vague: "This process is important."

Specific: "This process produces 90% of the cell's energy, so without it, we'd die in minutes."

Ask "Why?" and "How?"

Don't just state facts—explain the reasoning and mechanisms.

Surface: "Plants need sunlight."

Deeper: "Plants need sunlight because light energy powers the chemical reactions that convert CO₂ and water into glucose. Without light, these reactions can't happen."

Editing Existing Typed Notes

To edit a typed note you've already created:

Copying Text

You can select text in the editor and copy it to paste into other documents. Typed notes cannot be exported as separate documents.

Next Steps

Want to add visual elements? Try the Handwritten Note Editor for diagrams and sketches. Prefer explaining out loud? Use the Voice Note Recorder to practice verbal explanations.