Case 6: Taking Notes Effectively

Taking Notes Effectively
Framework Techniques Examples
Preparation
  1. Come prepared to take notes. Bring...
    • paper or cards (5-by-8-inch),
    • pencil (with eraser) or pen.
  2. Leave space for second thoughts.
  3. Attend to...
    • why you are taking notes,
    • vocabulary, new or hard words.
Organization
(order)
  1. Capture the teacher's or author's order if you can.
  2. Note how subpoints relate to main points:
    • parts?
    • reasons?
    • examples?
    • uses?
  3. Scout the text for clues (heads, charts, summaries) before you read for details.
Content
(specifics)		 Get to the heart of the matter...keep important details but trim away trivia:
  1. Date your notes.
  2. Capture key claims:
    • Use full sentences if you can.
    • Use verb phrases at least.
  3. Record and credit quotes carefully (no plagiarism).
  4. Insert your own questions.
  5. Try for a one-sentence summary.
  6. Reread the hard parts after your first pass and try these techniques again.
Signals
(format)		 Make the format of your notes helpful (for later review and reuse).
  1. Use topic heads and subheads.
  2. Cluster related items into (numbered) lists.
  3. Sketch simple diagrams to show:
    • relationships,
    • physical features.
  4. Add cross references:
    • to other notes (by date),
    • to books, articles, or web sites.
  5. Try the two-column "Cornell system" (notes in a big right column, heads and comments in a small left column).