Note Taking Skills

1. Note-taking Skills

2. Lesson Outline
 General principles of note-taking
 Different methods and styles of note-taking
 Effective research note-taking strategies
 Importance of writing notes in your own words
 How to avoid common errors
 Practice identifying key points

3. Principles of Note-taking
• Time-consuming process
• In lectures: key points and links
• From books: write in your own words
• Develop a style that works for you
• Gets easier with practice

4. 5 Note-taking Methods
The Cornell
Method
The Outlining
Method
The Charting
Method
The Mapping
Method
The Sentence
Method

5. The Cornell System & Mind Mapping
System

6. Is child Obesity a reflection
of parental negligence?

7. Note-taking from resources
Note-taking is a crucial part of writing assignments.
Three steps to effective notes:
• Understand the information.
• Select the information.
• Record the information.

8. Modes of Recording
What are the advantages and disadvantages of these modes of recording?
• Writing down every word from source
• Using Outline (linear) notes
• Using diagrams/branching notes
• (Text) Underlining/highlighting in color
• (Text) computer scanning
• (Text) Photocopying
• (Text) making notes in margins
• (Spoken input) Audio recording

9. Modes of Recording
Mode Advantages Disadvantages
Writing down every
word from source
Using Outline (linear)
notes
Using diagram or
branching notes
No information lost- completed
record.
Time-consuming
May be frustrating
Probably unnecessary
Very straightforward method.
Concentrates on the main ideas.
Some detail may be lost.
Concentrates on the main
ideas. Allows you to interact
with the speaker’s message and
remember easily.
Some details may be lost.
Techniques may not always
be convenient to use. Does
not appeal to everyone.

10. Modes of Recording
(Text) Underlining or
highlighting in color
(Text) computer scanning
(Text) Photocopying
Easy and quick to use.
Cannot be used on library
books/journals.
Easy and quick to use.
Text can be saved and
edited.
Requires specialized
equipment (computer,
scanner, printer). Also
requires some computer
expertise. Kept but not
read.
Easy and quick to use.
Text can be filled for
future reference and
highlighted.
Can be expensive if used
extensively. Does not
require interaction with
the text. Kept but not read.

11. Modes of Recording
(Text) making notes in
margins
(Spoken input) Audio
recording
Easy and quick to use.
Encourages interaction
with the text.
Cannot be used on library
books/journals.
Comments may be
disorganized, not easily
accessible.
No information lost –
complete record.
Can be supplemented with
notes taken from the input.
Speaker’s permission may
have to be sought. Time-
consuming – not as
easy as to scan as written
notes.

12. Note-taking from resources
When working with resources, you want to...
• establish a clear intention.
• take note of the full reference.
• read all the way through at least once.
• write key points in your own words.
• summarize the conclusion(s).
• reread and check your notes for accuracy.
• add your own thoughts and ideas.

13. Question your sources of information
Some questions to consider:
• Do you agree with the argument?
• Is the conclusion correct?
• What are the implications?
• How does this information relate to your current knowledge?
• What information is missing?

14. Common Errors
 Directly copying the source
 Too much information
 Avoid direct quotes
 Note the source and page number

15. Practice 1
1. Take note of the full reference.
2. Read all the way through at least once.
3. Write key points in your own words.
4. Summarize the main idea.
5. Summarize the conclusion(s).
6. Add your own thoughts and ideas.
In adding your own thoughts, use the following guide questions
• Do you agree with the argument?
• Is the conclusion correct?
• What are the implications?
• How does this information relate to your current knowledge?
• What information is missing?
Read the article and do the following.

16. Practice
Research and identify an article relevant to the topic
below. Visit google scholar and bring 2-3 chosen
articles to class.
 Is child Obesity a reflection of parental negligence?

17. Homework
 Blackboard> Week 2 Folder
 Read and do the reading quiz.
Reading Strategies Quiz.pdf
Reading Strategies.pdf