Note-Taking
The Note-Taking Process Flows Review Observe Notes Record Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Observe Set the stage Complete outside assignments Bring the right materials Sit front and center Conduct a short pre-class review Clarify your intentions Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Observe “Be here now” in class Accept your wandering mind Notice your writing Be with the instructor Notice your environment Postpone debate Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Observe “Be here now” in class Let go of judgments about lecture styles Participate in class activities Relate the class to your goals Think critically about what you hear Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Observe Watch for clues Be alert to repetition Listen for introductory, concluding, and transition words and phrases Watch the board or overhead projector Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Observe Watch for clues Watch the instructor’s eyes Highlight the obvious clues Notice the instructor’s interest level Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Use key words Write notes in paragraphs Copy material from the board Use a three-ring binder Use only one side of the paper Use 3by 5 cards Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Lungs Use pictures and diagrams Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Keep your own thoughts separate Use an “I’m lost” signal Label, number, and date all notes Use standard abbreviations Leave blank space Use graphic signals Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Use recorders effectively Use complete sentences when material is important Take notes in different colors Record effectively when learning online Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record The Cornell format: using the cue column Format your paper: draw a vertical line two inches from the left edge—the cue column Take notes, leaving the cue column blank Condense your notes in the cue column Write a summary at the bottom of each page Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Mind maps Mind maps are visual patterns that provide a framework for recall They work on both verbal and nonverbal levels Creating a mind map helps you think from general to specific Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Mind maps Note-taking Record Observe Review Set the stage Be here now Set the stage Watch for clues Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Mind maps Give yourself plenty of room Determine the main concept of the lecture Use key words only Jazz it up Create links Combine formats Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Outlines An outline shows the relationship between major points and supporting ideas Outlining occupies your attention Play with variations Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Record Combine formats Do what works for you! Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Review Review within 24 hours Edit notes Fill in key words in left-hand column Use your key words as cues to recite Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Review Conduct short weekly review periods Consider typing up your notes Create mind map summaries Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.