How to take great notes in any classroom!

1. NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES
Let’s Begin!!
The most comprehensive note taking
systems require attention on your part.
You must be alert enough in class to
take legible, meaningful notes. You
can't rely on "writing everything down"
because a lot of information in a given
lecture won't help you actually learn
the material. If you have problems
determining the specific relevant
points in a particular class, you can
always ask me to clarify them for you.
Skimming Techniques
 Maybe you use your finger to
guide your eyes. This type of
reading is usually called scanning.
Skimming uses the same type of
skill but a different skill mentally.
 When you first start to learn to
skim you may see only the words
in bold type, italics, digits, or
capitalized words. Soon you will
note new or unusual vocabulary.
As you become a good skimmer
your ability to “connect the dots”
by being able to find most
important facts, strange
vocabulary, and words that are
clues to important relationships.

2. NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES
 Secrets to Taking
Better Notes
 There is no magic to taking good
notes, just common sense. It's
simply a matter of being thorough
and accurate. Now, not many
people can write fast enough to
capture everything their teacher
says in class. Pay attention and
listen carefully that way you won't
miss something while you write,
and you can double-check for
accuracy. Reviewing your notes
as soon as possible while the
subject is still fresh in your mind is
the key to success.
 Read your notes on a daily basis
during breaks, while waiting for
the bus, when you have
completed an assignment in class
early. By re-writing your notes,
you become more familiar with the
material. You mentally reinforce
what was said in class, and you
get practice writing the
information, making it easier to
write the material a second time
on a test.

3. NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES
 Attend Class
The most important advice I can
give to you is to make sure you
attend your classes. Attendance
in class enhances the chance
you'll get a passing grade in a
course. In addition to attending
class, it is important to brush up
on your note-taking skills to really
achieve optimum success. Some
general recommendations for
improving note-taking skills are
listed to the right:
 1. Read the chapter prior to
attending class.
 2. Make sure you take notes
in class. If you fail to take
notes, much of what you learn
from the lecture will be
forgotten in a few days. If you
have something written down
on paper, you can always
refer to the material later.
 3. Ask teachers who lecture
too fast if they can slow down.
You'll generally find that many
teachers are willing to assist
you in your efforts to gain as
much from their lecture as
possible.

4. NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES
 The Cornell Method
of Note-Taking:
Make two columns, using the red
line on the left of the page as
your border. Then, when you
take notes in class, use the 6
column for the notes and the
smaller 2 column on the left as a
highlighting system. Write main
headings and important points on
the left, including material you
think you will be tested.
 When you're finished, you
should have a comprehensive
page of information that you
can quickly scan for important
points.
 Studying is 99% perspiration;
if you give it a real, strong
effort over year you will see an
improvement. Your academic
success is entirely up to you.

5. NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES
2 1/2”
 --------------
------- 
Cue Column
6”
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note-taking Column
1. Record: During the lecture, use the note-taking column to record the
lecture using telegraphic sentences.
1. Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions
based on the notes in the right-hand column. Writing questions helps
to clarify meanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and
strengthen memory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect
stage for exam-studying later.
1. Recite: Cover the note-taking column with a sheet of paper. Then,
looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue
column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the
questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.
1. Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for
example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are
they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I
already know? What’s beyond them?
5. Review: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your
previous notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as
well as, for the exam.
----------------

2”
Summary
After class, use this space at the bottom of each page to summarize the notes on
that page.

6. NOTE-TAKING TECHNIQUES
 Key Note-Taking Column Tips
 Record: During the lecture, use the note-taking column to record the lecture using
telegraphic sentences.
 Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based on the notes in
the right-hand column. Writing questions helps to clarify meanings, reveal relationships,
establish continuity, and strengthen memory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a
perfect stage for exam-studying later.
 Recite: Cover the note-taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the
questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in your own
words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.
 Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the
significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them?
How do they fit in with what I already know? What’s beyond them?
 Review: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous notes. If you
do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.
 www.academictips.org/acad/literature/notetaking.html