This document provides tips for effective note-taking for senior theses and beyond. It emphasizes that taking notes means thinking about the key ideas rather than just copying text. The process involves reading a section without taking notes at first to understand the main ideas, then writing the main ideas without looking at the text to internalize the information. Specific details like names, dates, places, definitions and arguments should then be written down. Quotes should only be used when necessary. Citations should be recorded at the same time as taking notes to save work later. Effective note-taking involves practice to determine how much can be absorbed at once.

1. Essentials skills for the Senior Thesis and life after high school.

2.  Taking notes means taking notes, NOT
copying and pasting.
 If copying and pasting were the same
thing as taking notes, we’d call it
copying and pasting.

3. Read, think, write, repeat.

4.  READ a section of your text
 Don’t take notes yet!
▪ This will be tempting, but if you do so, you’ll
jeopardize your understanding of the material
and note too much or too little.
 Instead, figure out the main idea.
▪ Is there an argument?
▪ What’s the main point of the article?

5. • Ask yourself if the section of text includes
information you’ll need later on.
• If the answer is yes:
▪ Without looking at the text, write down the
main ideas.
▪ Internalize the information and avoid
plagiarism.

6.  Once you’ve got the gist of the section, then
you can jot down specifics that you’re not
likely to recall on your own:
 Names (and titles) of speakers
 Dates
 Places
 Definitions
 Arguments
 Specific examples

7.  After a little practice, you’ll know how much
you can read and remember at one time.
 The extra time you spend here will result in
BIG payoffs later on.
 You’ll understand the material better.
 Writing will be easier, because YOU will know so
much more.

9.  Only when necessary
 You can’t say it better yourself
 The quote is part of the point (e.g. “Read
my lips, no new taxes.”)
 80/20 rule

10.  Record your citation information at the
same time that you are taking notes!
 This will save you hours of work later on!

11.  Landsberger, Joseph F. "Study Guides and Strategies."
Reading Texts: Note Taking, Marking and Underlining. Study
Guides and Strategies. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.studygs.net/marking.htm>.
 Wax, Dustin. "Advice for Students: Taking Notes That Work."
Your Daily Digest on Productivity and Life Improvements.
Stepcase. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.
<http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/advice-for-
students-taking-notes-that-work.html>.