SUCCESSFUL TEXTBOOK READING AND NOTE TAKING OR How to get the most from your text without going crazy!

When you first open a textbook, especially for a complex subject, it can be very intimidating. The idea that you have to look at all this information and pick out the important parts is overwhelming. INFORMATION OVERLOAD!!!

DON’T PANIC! There are a few different tricks and tools that you can use to make this easier. Find out what you need to know. Examine the pictures and headings. Read and take notes on one subheading at a time. Take Breaks and walk around. Don’t try to do the whole thing in one long cram session. Use page isolators or magnifiers if you need them.

FIND OUT WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. In most textbooks, there are items that help you pinpoint the important sections of the chapter. Objectives, glossaries, and review questions all show you what is meant to be taken from the chapter. As you take your notes, you will write down the answers or definitions for these topics as you read.

EXAMINE THE PICTURES AND HEADINGS. Now that you know what is important here, you can use the pictures and sub- headings to get an idea of the order that topics are covered. Just take a quick glance through the reading to see what is coming. You can use those headings as the main points in an outline format for your notes if you wish.

READ AND TAKE NOTES ON ONE SUBHEADING AT A TIME. Don’t try to tackle the entire reading at one time and then take notes, you will forget a lot and absorb very little. Work one sub-heading at a time. After reading one section, stop and write down your thoughts and answers to any of the objective/review questions you found. This will help you keep the info due to the writing process. Next move onto another section and repeat.

USE PAGE ISOLATORS OR MAGNIFIERS IF YOU NEED THEM. Sometimes there is so much text on the page that I am constantly losing my place. If I use a page isolator, this helps block the parts of the page that I am not focused on right now. Other times, the text is just to small or dark. In these cases a text magnifier may help.

TAKING HELPFUL NOTES There are many methods for taking notes, it is your choice which method works for you. Sample Methods: Outline Method Cornell Method Brain Storming Maps

Outline Method Description: Method: Starting with general information at the left, with more specific facts and clarifications indented to the right Method: Listen and then write down points in organized pattern, based on space indentation Place major points farthest to the left and indent each more specific point to the right Levels of importance will be indicated by distance away from major point Indentation can be simple (no marking, just space relationships or more complex, by using Roman numerals, letters and/or decimals

I. Why take Notes? Notetaking 101 6/25/08 I. Main Points -Instructors give additional information -Notes serve as “information file” -Facilitates learning >active listener >critical thinker II. How to Prepare: -Review syllabus >course objectives >topics to be covered >dates of assignments/exams >grading -Relationship of class to textbook -Determine kind of testing >multiple guess >short answer >essay -Have a class buddy -Pick a method i.e. >Cornell >Outline >Mapping >Charting >Sentences/Paragraphs I. Main Points A. Specific Points 1. “more” Specific Points

Outline (continued) When to use: When text is organized and sequential Advantages: Well organized system, if done correctly Reduces need to edit Easy to turn main points into questions Disadvantages: Requires more thought for accurate organization May not show relationships by sequence when needed Doesn’t lend to itself to variety of review and question applications

If you can say it, you know it!! Cornell Note Method Description: A systematic format of condensing and organizing notes without need for laborious recopying, by dividing paper into specific sections. Method: (R7 – Record, Recall, Reduce, Recapitulate, Recite, Review, Reflect) Divide paper into three sections (2-inch column on left - for “cues”; 6.5 inch “main space” on right – to make notes; 2-inch column on bottom to summarize.) Keep notes during class in “main space”/Each time instructor moves to a new point, skip a few lines After class, complete phrases and sentences as much as possible/write “cues” in left hand column To review – cover “main section” with card; and then say as much you can; move card and see if it matches what you wrote. If you can say it, you know it!!

CORNELL METHOD

Cornell Method (continued) When to use: ANY situation Advantages: Provides an organized and systematic means for recording and reviewing notes Easy format for pulling out major concepts and ideas Simple and efficient A “Do-it-right-in-the-first-place” method Disadvantages: None

Mapping Method Description: A graphic means of representing information, which relates each fact/idea to every other fact or idea. Method: Determine the “subject/topic”. Write this title in the center of page with a circle around it. As your major facts (subheadings) are presented that relate to the subject/topic, draw lines out from the circle and label. As additional facts are presented that relate to each subheading, draw these lines, linked to appropriate major fact and label. Continue process as more defining facts or ideas are presented.

BRAIN STORMING MAP With a brain map, you are creating a visual setup that helps to explain the relationships between concepts and the main topic. This method can be helpful for people who find the typical note taking style to be frustrating.

Mapping (continued) When to use: When content is well organized Effective if you are mainly a “visual” learner Advantages: Helps keep visual track of info Relationships easy to see Can cover lines for memory review and relationships Disadvantages: You may not hear changes in content from major points to facts Can be visually overwhelming

CONCLUSION While textbooks and note taking can be very difficult to get used to, there are many things that you can do to make it easier. The ones that I have listed here are just the start. Take time and ask others if you can see their notes or ask how they try to do the reading. Try different things until you find a style that helps you!