This document provides guidance on improving note taking and note making skills. It begins by explaining the difference between note taking, which involves writing down information from audio sources, and note making, which allows more control as the student reorganizes and reworks information in their own words. Several note styles are then described, including linear notes, concept maps, the four quarter method, and the two column method. The document emphasizes that the goal is to focus on important information and try different styles to find what works best for the individual learner. Highlighters can also be used to identify key terms when reviewing written sources.

1. Notes
How to Improve your Note Taking &
Note Making Skills

2. Aims of the Session
The following slides will help you to understand the
basics of successful note taking & making
At the end of the session you should be able to:
• Understand the difference between note taking and note
making
• Be able to successfully take notes from an audio source
• Be able to identify and highlight important parts of a piece of
text
• Be able to create a concept map from highlighted notes

3. Before we start however, there
is no right or wrong way of
taking notes!
Try to keep your notes brief and
succinct.
Don’t try and write everything
down. Just focus on the
important bits.
Your notes should reflect the
main themes and areas you
have identified as important
You should leave out any bit of
information which is not useful
to your work
Some useful questions are
posed by Stella Cottrell (2003):
• Do you really need this
information? If so, which bits?
• Will you really use it? When,
and how?
• Have you noted similar
information already?
• What questions do you want
to answer with this
information?”
Cottrell S. (2003) The study skills
handbook. 2nd ed. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan

4. Note Taking and Note Making
Note TAKING and note MAKING
are two different things….
They refer to two different
processes in using notes for study
The next 2 slides will explain the
differences

5. Note TAKING
This process involves taking
notes from general speech
(lectures, videos, audio
tapes and dictation) and
writing them down as the
person speaks
The note taker has less
control of this process as
you are dependent on being
able to decipher, interpret
and write down what is said
This process is also done at
someone else’s pace – not
at your own!

6. Note MAKING
This involves reorganising
your thoughts and ideas and
putting them into your own
words
Note making is usually
something you do after the
event eg. after a lecture you
may rewrite the notes you
made in class.
It also refers to when you
make notes from another
source eg. when you make
notes from a textbook or a
website
This process allows more
control for the student as
you can do it in your own
time

7. Reasons for Note Taking & Making
1. To engage/interact with the material being studied
2. To assist in writing essays and assignments
3. To formulate ideas
4. To remember and make sense of material
5. For revision purposes
6. For reviewing and reformulating ideas
7. Enables you to avoid unintentional plagiarism

9. Note Styles
There are many
different styles of
note taking and
making that you can
use
It is entirely your personal
preference and you may
use a combination of
more than one type
Some types may suit visual
learners better, whilst some may
suit audio or kinaesthetic learners
So experiment until you find a
type of note taking/making that
works best for you!
We will look at 4 of the best
known types next….

10. Linear Notes
Taking notes in a linear or sequential fashion is probably the most common way
of laying out your notes. A wide left-hand margin is used so that you can add
material at a later date.
Advantages
• Conventional, as it is similar to other
writings such as essays and reports
• Organises material effectively
• Neat
• Chronological, as it should reflect
logically the argument and points
made in the order they were made

11. Concept Maps
This method can also be known as mind maps or brain patterns. It is a way of organising
your notes using images, colours, symbols, arrows and capital letters. It helps to convey
meaning by showing the relationship between concepts and highlighting important points.
Using concept maps can help you to think creatively and is especially good for visual
learners.
Advantages
• Using images and colour can stimulate
the mind and aid memory
• Limited use of words leads to
conciseness
• New ideas and information can easily
be inserted
• It promotes the free flow of ideas by
being open-ended
• Revision is made easier as their
uniqueness aids recall

12. Four Quarter Method
This is where you divide your pages into quarters, each quarter representing a 15 minute
slot of an hour lecture. Psychologically and visually this is a satisfying method, since you are
always aware of just how far into the lesson you are. Furthermore, because space is limited,
it encourages you to use abbreviations and key words. Once the notes have been written
they will become a user-friendly and efficient tool for revision as all the information you
want is written on just one side of paper.
Advantages
• Encourages interactive note taking
• Encourages you to be concise and brief
• Psychologically encouraging as it helps
keep concentration throughout a lecture
1st Quarter 15 mins 2nd Quarter 15 mins
3rd Quarter 15 mins 4th Quarter 15 mins

13. The Two Column Method
This method is also known as the Cornell method. You divide the paper into two
columns:
1. The left hand column is smaller and is used to record the main points/keywords
2. The right hand column is larger and is used for taking notes and expanding on
your keywords.
Advantages
• It can be used as a useful study aid.
Simply cover up the right hand column
and see if you can recall the information
using the keyword prompts
• It is efficient and encourages you to
think about your subject in more detail
• Creates efficient study sheets

14. Using Highlighters
You can use highlighters to identify and highlight
key terms and phrases in a piece of text
This allows you to be an active learner. This is
much more effective than simply reading a piece
of text as you then have the danger you will glaze
over and miss the important parts!
Active learning will help you to remember and retain
the information much more successfully

15. Congratulations!
You have now completed your
Study Skills session on Notes