Note-Taking Skills Dr. George Perera

Note-Taking Note-taking is the practice of recording information captured from another source. By taking notes, the writer records the essence of the information, freeing their mind from having to recall everything.

Ways of making notes: Textbook Annotation: (writing on margins, underlining facts, highlighting, question marks, ticks Outline Notes: Column Notes: for maths and science Mind Maps: Summary Notes

Mapping Here, ideas are written in a tree structure, with lines connecting them together. Mind maps, also referred to as brain-storming are commonly drawn from a central point, purpose or goal in the center of the page and then branching outward to identify all the ideas connected to that goal. Colors, small graphics and symbols are often used to help to visualize the information more easily. This note-taking method is most common among visual learners and is a core practice of many accelerated learning techniques. It is also used for planning and writing essays.

Sentence method Every new thought is written as a new line. Speed is the most desirable attribute of this method because not much thought about formatting is needed to form the layout and create enough space for more notes. When taking these notes, you can number them or bullet them. This method can allow the reader to tell where a new thought ends and begins. This strategy is short and helpful, especially when a professor or teacher may need to read the notes.

Question Formulate questions about the content of the reading Question Formulate questions about the content of the reading. For example, convert headings and sub-headings into questions, and then look for answers in the content of the text. Other more general questions may also be formulated: What is this chapter about? What question is this chapter trying to answer? How does this information help me?

Read (R1) Use the background work done with "S" and "Q" in order to begin reading actively.

Use the background work done with "S" and "Q" in order to begin reading actively. Recite (R2) The second "R" refers to the part known as Recite/wRite or Recall. Using key phrases, one is meant to identify major points and answers to questions from the "Q" step for each section. This may be done either in an oral or written format. It is important that an adherent to this method use his/her own words in order to evoke the active listening quality of this study method.

Review (R3) The final "R" is Review Review (R3) The final "R" is Review. In fact, before becoming acquainted with this method a student probably just uses the R & R method; Read and Review. Provided the student has followed all recommendations, the student should have a study sheet and should test himself or herself by attempting to recall the key phrases. This method instructs the diligent student to immediately review all sections pertaining to any key words forgotten.

Guided notes Sometimes lecturers may provide handouts of guided notes, which provide a "map" of the lecture content with key points or ideas missing.

Electronic note-taking methods Sometimes lecturers may provide handouts of guided notes, which provide a "map" of the lecture content with key points or ideas missing. Students then fill in missing items as the lecture progresses. Guided notes may assist students in following lectures and identifying the most important ideas from a lecture.

Ten Basic Steps:   1. Don’t write down everything that you read or hear. Be alert and attentive to the main points. Concentrate on the "meat" of the subject and forget the trimmings.  2. Notes should consist of key words, or very short sentences. As a speaker gets side-tracked you can go back and add further information. 3. Take accurate notes. You should usually use your own words, but try not to change the meaning. If you quote directly from the author, quote correctly.

4. Think a minute about your material before you start making notes  4. Think a minute about your material before you start making notes. Don’t take notes just to be taking notes! Take notes that will be of real value to you when you look over them later.  5. Have a uniform system of punctuation and abbreviation that will make sense to you. Use a skeleton outline, and show importance by indenting. Leave lots of white space for later additions. 6. Omit descriptions and full explanations. Keep your notes short and to the point. Condense your material so you can grasp it rapidly.

7. Don’t worry about missing a point 7. Don’t worry about missing a point. Leave space and try to pick up the material you miss at a later date, either through reading, questioning, or common sense. 8. Don’t keep notes on oddly shaped pieces of paper. Keep notes in order and in one place. 9. Shortly after making your notes, go back and rework (not recopy!) your notes by adding extra points, spelling out unclear items, etc.. Remember, we forget quickly. Budget time for this vital step just as you do for the class itself. 10. Review your notes periodically. This is the only way to achieve lasting memory.

Taking Useful Notes:*   1. Use dashes for words when the speaker goes too fast. Leave space so that you can fill in details later. 2. Use symbols to call attention to important words: underline, CAPS, circle, box, *, !, ?, or › . 3. When the instructor says, "this is important" get it exactly and * (mark it). Get a reference to the text or other source if you can. 4. Don’t erase a mistake and don’t black it out completely. Draw a single line through it. This saves time and you may discover later that you want the mistake. 5. Abbreviate – Shortcuts, such as abbreviations, are alternatives to writing everything longhand. Abbreviate only if you will be able to understand your won symbols when you go back to study your notes. Be c

Commonly Used Symbols and Abbreviations: No. or # number = equal to, is the same as b/4 before ref. reference

w/ with > greater than < less than i.e., that is vs. versus, as opposed to e.g., for example etc. et cetera Q. question b/c because w/o without