Mt. Sac Basic Fire Academy How to Take Notes You are a selected group of potential firefighters here for the purpose of mastering a certain field of special information and specific skills in handling fire problems. The success or failure of this course will not be determined by the certificates you receive when you finish your work here, but will be measured largely by the extent to which your efficiency as a prospective firefighter has been increased. The more knowledge and useful information you can take into the fire service with you, the more efficient you will be. Your efficiency will not depend upon your ability to learn and retain information; it will also depend upon your ability to organize this material for practical use. It would be impossible for anyone to come to this academy and retain all the information imparted without some special method of recording and organizing it into a workmanlike manner. The purpose of this material is to offer you a practical method of keeping and organizing a notebook, which will help to increase you day-to-day effectiveness as a firefighter. What are some of the uses for your notes? Everyone has, at one time or another, been faced with the problem of trying to find information he knows he has tucked away some place but just cannot remember where. Or perhaps he has been called upon to make a talk and he remembers that at one time he had just the right material for this talk, but he cannot remember where he put it. These are just tow examples of where a good, properly organized set of notes will come handy. Below are a few of the many uses you will find for your notes: a. As a basic for review b. As a basis for organizing a training program c. As a basis for action on certain types of problems d. As a basis for preparation for promotional as well as civil service examinations e. As a basis for a series of staff lectures 1
f. As a basis for policy g. As a source book for hard-to-find facts h. As a good device for learning i. As a source of material not in printed form What is the best type of notebook to do a good job? There are several varieties of note-taking aids on the market and most of them are satisfactory and serve a purpose. The one type which seems to fit the most needs is the standard 8 ½ x 11 loose-leaf variety with a good stiff cover which will protect the contents from damage. This type seems to be large enough so that the material does not become crowded and still not too large to carry around. It also has the advantage that most printed or mimeographed material is placed on this standard type page and can be placed directly in the notebook without alterations. The loose-leaf feature makes organization and reorganization easier and the discarding of false or poorly organized notes a simple matter. What notes should you take? You will have to determine for yourself how much of the information is new and that you will want to keep in your records for future use. The instructor has a good working knowledge of the more important points of his subject and you can be sure he will emphasize them in various ways. In determining what notes to take, keep the following factors in mind: a. Keep in mind your reasons for taking notes. b. Watch for key words or terms around which the main ideas will resolve. c. Check carefully everything that is put on the blackboard. If it is important enough to include in you notes. d. Do not make your notebook a wastebasket for everything. e. Watch for special emphasis by the instructor, such as This is important or To sum up the etc. f. Watch what other students write down. They are fairly good guide posts. 2
What is a simple outline form to use? Note-taking is not difficult if certain practical suggestions are followed. I. Be Ready A. Have proper notebook, usually 8 ½ x 11, loose-leaf. B. Have proper writing implements, (Additional colored pencils will aid to set out certain material.) II. Have a Heading (This will aid in remembering) A. Course or subject heading B. Name of instructor and title C. Date D. Session and page number III. Be Alert A. Catch the key ideas and high points B. Write fast IV. Be Brief A. Use abbreviations B. Use your own short cuts, be sure you can interpret them afterwards C. Use your own words except for: 1. Technical points 2. Definitions 3. Direct statements D. Leave plenty of room so you can: 1. At least double space and margins 2. Amend or add to 3. Follow easier for later reference 3
E. Underline especially important points 1. Colored pencils or pen will be an aid F. Put a question mark over any item of which you not sure: V. Be Orderly 1. Whether you heard correctly 2. For asking questions later 3. To verify later by reference 4. For future reference A. Numbering or lettering helps 1. Roman numerals I 2. Capital letters A 3. Figures 1 4. Small letters a 5. Small letters in parenthesis (a) 6. Brackets [ ] B. Indent or paragraph to show division C. Start a new item on a new line VI. Getting the Most Value Out of Your Notes A. Read over at first opportunity 1. To aid memory and recollection B. Fill in abbreviated items 1. Before elapsed time C. Fill in technical terms and other items that may be secured later D. Rewrite notes if necessary 4
XII. Precautions 1. Make sentence complete 2. Recheck topic heading, paragraphing, and numbering 3. Recheck important information with others in attendance A. Never try to write everything B. Do not overcrowd your pages C. Do not ask the student next to you for information while the instructor is talking D. Do not make you notes so brief they lose their meaning E. Do not forget to number you pages F. Do not forget to underline important points G. Do not hesitate to write important points on material handed to you H. Do not hesitate to ask questions I. Do not repeat notes you have already taken Besides the precautions, there are a few Do s which will be of aid to you: A. Underline all key words and phrases 1. Use colored pencil B. Keep notes well organized and C. When academy is completed, file your notes for future reference D. Rework your notes before they get Cold E. Make use of sketches and drawings F. Keep a list of new items and terms G. Make a list of important source material, books, references, etc. H. Make a list of important personalities I. Keep notes on each subject together 5