Why Take Notes. Note-taking serves two main academic purposes:

Transcription

1 Note-Taking

2 Why Take Notes Note-taking serves two main academic purposes: It provides a method to identify/predict what will be on tests and puts that information in a format that can be easily studied. It provides a method for pulling together the important information a student can use in writing a research paper or preparing a speech.

3 FOUR PURPOSES FOR NOTETAKING PROVIDES WRITTEN RECORD FOR REVIEW FORCES LISTENER TO PAY ATTENTION REQUIRES ORGANIZATION WHICH INVOLVES ACTIVE EFFORT FROM LISTENER REQUIRES CONDENSING AND REPHRASING WHICH AID UNDERSTANDING

4 GOOD NOTE-TAKING SUGGESTIONS LABEL NOTES AT TOP OF PAGE USE SEPARATE NOTEBOOKS FOR EACH CLASS MAKE NOTES LEGIBLE USE ONLY ONE SIDE OF PAPER IDENTIFY SPECIALIZED VOCABULARY DEVELOP YOUR OWN SET OF SYMBOLS LEAVE BLANKS AND/OR LOTS OF WHITE SPACE FOR FILLING IN INFORMATION MISSED USE TELEGRAPHIC, NOT COMPLETE SENTENCES (PROVIDE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF INFORMATION IN THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF WORDS) DEVELOP A RELATIVELY SIMPLE NOTETAKING SYSTEM YOU WILL ACTUALLY USE

5 Characteristics of Any Good Study Notes They are short. They use only one side of the paper. They may be informal outlines. They should be in your own words. They should be developed using your own style and your own system. They should be written in ink. They should show the different levels of ideas.

6 WHEN TO TAKE NOTES IN A LECTURE WHEN THE INSTRUCTOR SAYS THIS IS IMPORTANT ANYTHING WRITTEN ON THE BOARD ANYTHING PUT ON THE OVERHEAD AT NON-VERBAL CLUES THE INSTRUCTOR GIVES

7 Note-Taking Methods The outlining method. The Cornell method modified to T-Notes. The mapping method. The charting method. Outlines and T-Notes are probably the most versatile and can be used in almost any situation.

8 The Modified Outline Modifies the formal outline method by using dashes or indentions instead of numbers, letters, or Roman numerals. Begins with the most general information on the left (main idea) and indents to show related major and minor details. Main Idea Major Detail Minor Detail

9 Modified Outline Example Extrasensory perception definition: means of perceiving without use of sense organs. three kinds telepathy: sending messages clairvoyance: forecasting the future psychokinesis: perceiving events external to situation current status - no current research to support or refute few psychologists say impossible door open to future

10 T-Notes Can be used in any note-taking situation. Draw a T on your paper with a 2.5 inch margin on the left, leaving a 6-inch area on the right. Put the main idea in the left margin area and related details on the right.

11 T-Note Example Label Date Characteristics of any good Note-taking system 1. Uses as few words as possible. 2. Focuses on main ideas, major details, terms. 3. Are written in own words. 4. Are written on only one side of paper. 5. Provides lots of white space (skip lines between ideas.)

12 T-Note Example Label Date Extrasensory Perception Definition: means of perceiving without use of sense organs Three kinds: Telepathy: sending messages Clairvooyance: forcasting the future Psychokinesis: perceiving events external to situation Current Status: No current research to support or refute

13 Mapping Method of Note- Taking Provides a visual over-view of important information. Shows relationships among ideas. Is easy to edit. Appeals to visual learning styles. Is not recommended for lecture notes, but is helpful as text study notes.

14 GUIDELINES FOR MAKING MAPS BEGIN WITH WHAT YOU CONSIDER THE MOST IMPORTANT IDEA AS THE CENTER OR TOP OF THE MAP. BRANCH OUT FROM IT TO RELATED IDEAS. WRITE YOUR IDEAS ON LINES THAT ARE CONNECTED TO OTHER LINES IN ORDER TO EXPRESS CLEARLY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIOUS IDEAS PRINT IDEAS IN INK AND IN CAPITAL LETTERS SO THEY CAN BE EASILY READ.

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16 The Charting Method of Note- Taking Useful for certain types of text notes. Can help focus on facts and relationships in preparing for tests. Helps give an overview of information.

17 Chart Format Example from History Class