NOTE-MAKING

Skim Read Read the headings and sub headings Read the first paragraph or introduction in full Read the topic sentences (first sentence of the paragraph) Look for keywords Look at illustrations and captions Read conclusion or summaries in full Ask the question “Is this relevant to my topic?”

Evaluating the Source

Who is the author what are their credentials? Look at the date of publication Who is the intended audience? Is the information presented fact, opinion or propaganda? How well does the work cover your topic? Is the text easy to read? Is it set out logically?

How to make Notes

How is a paragraph structured?

Each paragraph…. (other than the introductory ones) …. is made up of 3 parts.

1. Topic Sentence Main idea, point or argument Note this!

2. Evidence Details, examples and facts that support the main idea. Make note of only the important facts

3. Final Sentence a summary and explains the connection of this paragraph to the main theme of the article record the main conclusions the author makes

Notes should be short as possible use only words/keywords/phrases

Easy to understand Devise abbreviations, Use bullet points, dashes or numerals for different ideas

Use words that can replace phrases

Make notes in your own words Shorten main sentences Leave out unnecessary words Re-arrange the sentence

Use quotation marks for direct quotes

Examples….

Ice Ice is simply frozen water. It is colourless and solid, but easily broken. Ice floats on water and usually has some air in it. As water turns into ice it expands. This can cause water pipes to crack. The cracks may not be noticed until the ice melts and the water leaks out. Water freezes at a temperature of 0oC. Notes on ice Frozen water Colourless, solid, easily broken Floats on water Can crack pipes Becomes ice at 0oC

Sentences The hyena is a night hunter. Only the very tip of an iceberg can be seen. Jupiter takes twelve years to complete its path around the sun. Note form Hyena – nocturnal Only tip of iceberg is visible Jupiter – 12 year orbit

For Rent Relevant Information A fantastic deal! This apartment has everything a person could want. The two bedrooms are large and sunny – great for plant lovers. There is a living room that was once used as a study by the inventor of the bathtub. You can eat in the huge kitchen. Candlelight dinners are a must in the cozy dinning room. A fully tiled bathroom, designed by Sam of the Ritz completes this palace. The whole thing goes for only $300 a month. Heat costs a little extra, about $100 a month, but only in the winter months Call ……. Relevant Information 2 big sunny bedrooms, living room, eat-in kitchen, dinning area, bathroom $300 per month $100 heat in winter Contact ….

Using a mind map to make notes

Pyramids When people talk of the pyramids they often think of the Egyptian pyramids. However, pyramids are found both in Egypt, where they are 4-sided triangles with a point at the top, and The Americas (Peru, Hondurus and Mexico), where they look the same but with the top sliced off, making them flat topped. The Egyptian pyramids were built in about 2700BCE and they were used as tombs for the pharaohs who died. In the Americas they were first built in 1200BCE and were used both as tombs and as platforms for temples and palaces. The Great Pyramid at Giza, near Cairo is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. An example in Mexico is the Pyramid of the Sun near Mexico City.

PYRAMIDS 4 sided triangles + pointed at top First built in 2700 BCE EGYPT Example: The Great Pyramid at Giza Tombs for dead pharoahs Mexico, Hondurus + Peru PYRAMIDS Example: Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico City AMERICAS Tombs and platforms for palaces and temples First built in 1200BCE Flat-topped

Using a flow chart to Create and Organise Notes

Example…… Subject, topic, sub-topic

Vikings Warfare 1: Battle Strategy and tactics 2: Weapons and Armour Viking Life 1: Daily Life 2: Religion etc.

Using Different Sources

For in-depth Research Use more than one source Use different kinds of sources e.g. book, internet, article etc Make separate notes from each source using the same topics Write your final piece from the notes only to avoid plagiarism

Good research Use multiple sources Use topics and sub-topics Make short ordered notes Record bibliographic details of sources used