1. English for Academic Communication
Note Making
22 February 2011
English for Academic Communication

2. Note Making - Preparation
Reading skills involved:
Making notes of the important ideas, concepts and points in the reading text
Why?
To help us to have better understanding of the content of the reading material
English for Academic Communication

3. English for Academic Communication
Guidelines to Follow
Check the pattern of the organisation of the reading text and use signal words as cue.
Use note-making methods such as underlining, highlighting, circling, or boxing to identify main points.
Transform main points from linear text to a non linear text using diagram, outline, table or flowchart presentations.
English for Academic Communication

4. Guidelines to follow when making notes
Check the pattern of the organisation of the reading text and use signal words as cue.
Listing
Classification
Sequencing
Comparison-Contrast
Cause-Effect
English for Academic Communication

5. Guidelines to follow when making notes
Listing
Making a list of things that are related to subject matter
For example:
Long Island Resort
Tent and cooking facilities
Clean bathroom and toilet
Trekking, snorkeling, canoeing and fishing
Group tour to shell handicraft centre
English for Academic Communication

6. Guidelines to follow when making notes
Classification
Placing things in categories according to specific or similar characteristics or functions
For example:
Positive
Comparative
Superlative
Good
Better
Best
Bad
Worse
Worst
Much
More
Most
English for Academic Communication

7. Guidelines to follow when making notes
Sequencing
Putting process, or events in order of occurrences
For example:
Firstly, put a teabag or tea powder into a cup of boiling water. Secondly, leave it for a few minutes to infuse it perfectly. Next, add sugar. Finally, stir it and the tea is now ready to drink.
English for Academic Communication

8. Guidelines to follow when making notes
Comparison – Contrast
Making comparison by examining how things are similar and different, or showing contrast by looking at the differences between them.
For example:
Proton Inspira
Mitsubishi Lancer
Compare
Same design
Contrast
Made in Malaysia
Made in Japan
Cheap
Expensive
English for Academic Communication

9. Guidelines to follow when making notes
Cause and Effect
Showing how things (effects) happen or come into being because of other things that cause them to happen (causes).
For example:
Scientists believe that that increasing number of flood disasters may be due to human activities.
English for Academic Communication

10. Possible Note Making Example
Some people do things without realizing the consequences of their deeds. For instance, squatters who live along the river banks, simply throw their rubbish into the rivers. Because of this, the rivers are clogged with rubbish. When it rains heavily, they will burst their banks, thus causing flood in the surrounding area. Illegal loggers too discriminately cut trees to produce paper. Due to their act, there are less trees to absorb carbon dioxide in the air. A large amount of carbon dioxide traps heat, therefore causes the globe to become warmer, raising the water level, and in the end this leads to flooding.
English for Academic Communication

11. Sequence Signals (to show order or ideas)
first before next
firstly second after
then until
English for Academic Communication 11

12. Comparison-Contrast Signals (to show comparison between A & B)
More than different from
Despite/in spite of however alike
But unless also
Otherwise likewise yet
Nevertheless on the other hand
same/similar although both
English for Academic Communication 12

13. Cause and Effect Signals (to show reason and the outcomes)
because thus therefore
since as a result consequently
due to so this leads to
in the end causes hence
English for Academic Communication 13

14. Continuation Signals (to show additional or more ideas)
another reason in addition
moreover besides that
furthermore on top of that
English for Academic Communication 14

15. Illustration Signals (to show what it means in reality)
a major development important to note
a key feature especially relevant
the central issue a significant outcome
above all the most substantial issue
English for Academic Communication 15

16. Conclusion Signals (to show an ending/conclusion)
in conclusion in brief
as a conclusion in a nutshell finally
in summary last of all lastly
English for Academic Communication 16

17. English for Academic Communication
Class Activity
Based on the text given in slide 16, transform the main points from a linear text to a non-linear text using diagram, outline, table or flowchart presentation.
English for Academic Communication