Notetaking

Strategies for Notetaking

gleaned from all over the place and adapted by Richard W. Slatta Professor of History
  • You may not find all of these approaches useful, but many should help you take notes more effectively. One size does not fit all, so develop a system that works for you and your learning style. In note taking, we're looking for quality not quantity. Second, good courses develop "synergy" (working together, complimenting, reinforcing) between class work and assigned readings. Use the indexes to your textbooks to get more information on people, events, and concepts presented in class. [Visit the web sites listed as "sources" to get more detail and to read other study and learning strategies.]

    Evaluate Your Present Notetaking System

    1. Did I outline and use concise phrases rather an complete sentences?
    2. Do I different notetaking systems for classroom activities (lectures, discussions, brainstorming sessions) and for taking notes from written materials (scholarly articles, books)?
    3. Did I use a standard format? Are my notes clear, accessible, organized?
    4. Did I capture main points, subpoints, and a few supporting examples?
    5. Did I streamline, using abbreviations and shortcuts?
    If you answered no to any of these questions, you may need to develop some new note-taking skills! Try the suggestions below.

    Taking Notes on Readings

  • E-How to Take Reading Notes
    1. Use visual cues to recognize main points and concepts. For a textbook, skim the table of contents, then the chapter abstract (summary) and subheadings. Look for the flow of ideas; the logic of the material.
    2. Have a purpose in mind for your reading and notetaking. Are you preparing for a multiple choice quiz? Concentrate on who, what, when, where, why. Are you writing a research paper? Scan the text for key words and concepts--don't try to read everything. Write down only essentials.
    3. Be careful to distinguish "exact quotations" from your paraphrases in your notes. When quoting, be certain to include author, title, and page information so that you can cite the document properly.
    4. Standardize. Use 3x5 cards or another standard format and only write on one side. Attach a subject line to the top of each card.
    5. Stay focused. Keep your research question firmly in mind. Don't take notes just to take notes. Ponder whether the information will likely end up in your final paper.
    6. Keep an accurate, up-to-date working bibliography. Don't trust your memory-- all red books look alike after a few weeks.
    7. Prefer notetaking to photocopying. Unless you are certain that an entire document or article will remain relevant, don't photocopy. You're just delaying the inevitable--a close, critical reading of the information.
    8. Read critically and include questions and concerns in your notes. Don't accept everything at face value.
    9. Be careful, especially when quoting directly. Accidentally omitting the word "not" can make a huge difference. 1788 and 1888 are both excellent dates, but hardly interchangeable. Small stuff matters, so get it right!

    Classroom Notetaking Strategies

    1. Develop notetaking strategies that work with different disciplines, instructors and their varying speeds, styles, and approaches. Sometimes you can persuade an instructor to slow down or repeat something, but you usually have to take notes quickly. Think of notetaking as an active listening process and to be selective in what you write down.
    2. Come to class prepared. Before class, read the assigned material. Surf the Internet for additional background information. Spend 5-10 minutes skimming the material before class. This will help you identify the most relevant information. If you can, quickly review your notes from the last class to give you better context. From time-to-time, review the course syllabus to see what topic you are focusing on.
    3. During class, watch for cues from the instructor as to what information is most relevant. Notice how the instructor has organized the material. If the organization is not logical to you, try to organize the material with headings yourself. If there are gaps in your notes, trade notes with classmates, or fill them in right after the class while your memory is fresh. And don't hesitate to stop your instructor and ask questions.
    4. Be selective in note taking: don't write down every word the instructor says, although you should write down any information which the professor puts on the blackboard or overheads. Develop a consistent set of abbreviations, your own type of shorthand, for taking notes. Also, develop a comfortable way of identifying key concepts and ideas in textbooks.
    5. After class, review your notes within 24 hours. Studies have found that we can remember more things within that time period. Add any details, thoughts, questions, and criticisms that come to mind. Add cross-references to elsewhere.
      Above suggestions from the University of Toronto.

    Tips for Finding Major Points in Lectures

    The speaker is usually making an important point if he or she:
    1. Pauses before or after an idea.
    2. Uses repetition to emphasize a point.
    3. Uses introductory phrases to precede an important idea.
    4. Writes an idea on the board
      This advice from Sweet Briar College.

    Five Important Reasons to Take Notes

    1. It triggers basic lecturing processes and helps you to remember information.
    2. It helps you to concentrate in class.
    3. It helps you prepare for tests.
    4. To provide valuable clues for what information the instructor thinks most important (i.e., what will show up on the next test).
    5. To record information that cannot be found elsewhere (i.e., in your textbook).

    Guidelines for Note-Taking

    1. Concentrate on the class activities (lecture, discussion) or on the reading material.
    2. Take notes consistently.
    3. Take notes selectively. Do NOT try to write down every word. The average lecturer speaks at 125-140 wpm; a note taker writes at 25 words per minute. If you miss an important point, ask the instructor to repeat it.
    4. Translate ideas into your own words.
    5. Organize notes into some sort of logical form.
    6. Use layout techniques. Space out your notes so that you can add later detail, personal thoughts, and information and ideas from further study. You might use the lefthand page in your notebook for "tree diagrams" or "concept maps" and the righthand page for details and examples.
    7. Be brief. Write down only the major points and important information.
    8. Write legibly. Notes are useless if you cannot read them later!
    9. Don't be concerned with spelling and grammar.
    10. Note Questions and Problems. Think of note taking as noting questions and problems, not just recording facts. Also note what you don't understand
    11. Consider keeping an Ideas Notebook or Reflective Journal. Carry a special, small personal notebook with you all the time to note questions. Record thoughts about your discipline, life, the universe, and everything. Relate what you're studying to who you are. Vent! Let off steam--it's good to get things down, not to bottle them up.

    No-Nonsense Note Taking

    1. Arrive to class prepared and on time.
    2. Sit up front so you can see and hear well.
    3. Use a loose-leaf notebook so you can rearrange pages and add in hand-outs where they belong. (Also, you're less apt to lose notes when using a loose-leaf.)
    4. Always title and date your notes.
    5. Be prepared for class. Read ahead so that classroom info makes more sense.
    6. Listen closely for changes in pitch, volume and tone. Watch for changes in movement and gestures that may signal that a main point is about to be presented.
    7. Try your hardest to take notes in your own words.
    8. Use keywords. It's best not to use complete paragraph and sentence form. Not only is it unnecessary, but you don't have time.
    9. Use as many abbreviations as possible. Make up your own!
    10. Use a pen, ink lasts longer!
    11. Use various notations to point out main ideas and important details. (*stars, arrows, [brackets], boxes, etc.)
    12. Use a good deal of paper. Give yourself plenty of room!
    13. If you miss something or fall behind, leave a space and move on. Get the missing information from a classmate or the instructor later.
    14. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
    15. Review your notes daily or as often as possible. This will help you learn the information, and it saves time on studying.
      Above advice from Keen University.

    Basic Rules in Taking Notes

    1. Try to ignore distracting mannerisms of the instructor—keep focused on the information.
    2. Some are so poor you count the number of times they say 'uh'.
    3. Some are so captivating that you forget to take notes.
    4. Avoid trying to make eye contact with your classmates or trying to pick up a date.
    5. If a prof speaks from lecture outlines, take your notes in an outline format. Later add in relevant info from texts, web sites, etc.
    6. Paraphrase. You think more actively by putting the ideas into your own words.

    What Should Be "Noted"?:

    Identify what is important when a prof. . .
    1. mentions something two or more times.
    2. emphasizes a term two or more times you should asterisk it.
    3. writes it on the board
    4. increases general body activity by waving arms or pointing the finger in the air, voice inflection changes, pace changes
    5. pounds on the lectern
    6. does something physical to emphasize what he or she is saying.
      Above from Kent State University.

    Still not satisfied?
  • More good ideas from Sweet Briar College Academic Resource Center