1. Note Taking, Lecture 5
Visual Note Taking Systems
Mind Maps
Timelines

2. Why use a visual note taking style?
Gives you a chance to use your
originality & creativity in form of pictures
and drawings along with colors…helps you
memorize information better.
Keep in mind that note taking styles
vary from person to person.
Try different note taking systems until
you find 1 or 2 that suit your learning
style.
It’s also great to combine visuals with
the Cornell System.

3. Creating Mind Maps Topic or Thesis Main Idea Main Idea Main Idea Main
detail
detail
Main
Idea
detail
Main
Idea
Topic or
Thesis
detail
detail
detail
Main
Idea
detail
Main
Idea
detail
detail
detail

4. Tips for Making a Mind Map
1.Write only key words inside circles…
will serve as triggers for you to
recite in full sentences.
3.Be selective with your details…use only as many
as you need to help you remember information.
4.Write horizontally…easier to read.
5.Experiment with mind mapping…use different
colors for different topics or main ideas.
6.If you need more levels of info. after adding
supporting details to main ideas, consider
reorganizing info. into several mind maps instead
of just 1.
2.Items do NOT have to be in clockwise order

5. Creating Time Lines: When do you think
this type of note taking would be useful?
Let’s practice by making a time line of your life.
1.Draw a horizontal line across the middle of your
paper.
2.Divide line into equal size segments…(I suggest
5-yr. segments, depending on your age.)
3.Below line, label each segment with dates.
4.Above line, write various events.
5.Add pictures for greater visual impact!
Family vacation
to Canada
Began
B.C.
Birth
Began kindergarten
Moved to Fresno
1987
1992
1997
2002
2007