Note Taking

1
Note Taking

• Strategies and Skills

2
The Cornell System

• Step 1 Preparation- Use a large loose-leaf
  notebook. One side of the paper only. Draw a 2.5
  inch vertical line on the left side of the paper.
  This is a recall column when reviewing your
  notes pencil in key words and examples you
  remember form the lecture.
• Step 2 During the lecture- Record notes in
  paragraph form Use abbreviations and write
  legibly. Skip lines to show the end of ideas or
  thoughts.
• Step 3 After the lecture- Read through your
  notes. Use the recall column. Jot down main ideas
  or key words that give you the idea of the
  lecture.

3
Listening and Note Taking

• Be a positive and active listener.
• Come to class prepared read material prior to
  the lecture.
• Get accurate notes- Copy from overhead or
  PowerPoint presentations. Watch listen to your
  instructor for cues body language, verbal
  emphasis, reading carefully from notes.
• Leave space between main ideas. This will allow
  you to add your own notes and thoughts.
• Go over your notes within 24hrs. You will lose up
  to 80 of new material if you dont!
• Organize your notes so you can study from them.

4
Note Taking Reading

• Break down long reading assignments into 20-30m
  sections. Take short breaks to keep your
  attention sharp.
• Read the chapter objectives or chapter review
  before you start to read. This will give you
  context and improve your comprehension and
  retention.
• Read with a purpose find the important points
  and highlight them for your notes.

5
Finding the Main Ideas in a Lecture.

• Listen carefully! Instructors give clues to
  important points with phrases such as
• Remember this
• Now let us turn to
• Statements repeated or
  emphasized.
• Change in tone of
  voice.
• After class summarize, in your own words, what
  you have heard and write it down.
• Share notes with classmates, they may have picked
  up something you missed and vice versa.

6
Finding the Main Idea While Reading

• The first paragraph of a reading will usually
  tell you what you will be reading about. This is
  a great place to look for main ideas.
• The first sentence of each paragraph is usually
  its topic sentence, containing the main idea.
• Examine section headings, chapter summaries and
  chapter quizzes for main ideas.
• Is the main idea implied? If so, ask yourself,
  Whats the point?