Meaning sinks in only when a note is rewritten in my own words, not copied

Copying passes through the hand but not the head. To rewrite in my own words I first have to understand the meaning, so paraphrasing itself becomes a check that forces understanding. A copied sentence leaves only the illusion of having understood.

When a quote is truly necessary, mark it as a quote and bring it in only very selectively.

Source: Follow the eight steps in order (step 2)