Note Taking and Revision

Methods
Lecture

Note taking

A method of recording information

Educational and Professional purposes

related

to

Requires concentrated development and application.

To understand main ideas range of context, including

lectures, oral presentation, meeting, & articles.

Sub skills for note taking

1.

Accurate analysis

2.

Rapid note-making

3.

Accurate and easy read back

1. Accurate analysis

Identify the subject

Understand the main points (By underling, boxing,

ringing, coloring over)

Understand the logic and related those to topic.

2. Rapid note-making

Re-order the points.

Use abbreviations for speed.

Use symbols to show a logical relationship within the text.

Remove all unnecessary language.

Use the space to make down the notes clearly.

3. Accurate and easy read back

Use numbers to identify different key points and sub

points.

Use clear layout and assists fast and accurate

interpretation.

Use of abbreviations, symbols and omissions ensures

accurate recall of the meaning of the notes.

Essential intermediate stage to good writing, effective

speaking etc.

Qualities of note taking.

Simple identification of main idea.

Identification of support/sub ideas.

Arrangement of logical information.

Flexibility to include new information.

Accuracy, clarity, conciseness and brevity.

Clear and efficient lay-out.

Completeness.

Guidelines for note taking

Should not simply be direct copies of other material but

meaningful and in your own words.

Should not make about everything. ( pick out the key

concepts, principals and facts )

Should add in connected examples from existing

knowledge and understanding.

Should adjust the depth of the notes to the level of

complexity of the material.

Note taking spoken words

Concentrate it and do not write everything.
Structure notes according to the structure of
the presentation.
Understand special signals from the speaker.
Point out the sub headings and key words.
Write legibly and spaciously (allow plenty of
space).
After making notes, highlight the key points.
(by using highlighter marker or by underling)
After, do reference immediately.

The Note Diagram

Learning skills

Time & Place

Study
Study Techniques

Reading

Writing Skills
Notes

Advantages of Note Diagrams

Provides a complete overview of the text
in one sheet of paper. As a result, you
can understand relationship between
topics.
Provides space for additional notes where
there are key words
Acts as a test of memory during revision(
Charts, Diagrams)
Links concepts that help improve
comprehension by using charts and
diagrams.

Other methods of Note taking

The Cornell Method

The Outline Method (listening and then write in points in an

(provides a systematic format for

condensing and organizing notes without laborious recopying)
organized pattern based on space indention)

The Mapping Method (use concentration skills and evolves in a

note taking form )

The Charting Method (determine the categories to be covered

in the lecture.)

The Sentence Method

(write every new thought, fact or topic

on a separate line)

(sas.calpoly website, 2010)

The Cornell Method.

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

6)
7)

Rule your paper with a 2 inch margin on the left leaving a

six-inch area on the right in which to make notes.
During class, take down information in the six-inch area.
When the instructor moves to a new point, skip a few lines.
After class, complete phrases and sentences as much as
possible.
For every significant bit of information, write a cue in the
left margin. To review, cover your notes with a card, leaving
the cues exposed.
Say the cue out loud, then say as much as you can of the
material underneath the card.
When you have said as much as you can, move the card and
see if what you said matches what is written. If you can say
it, you know it.
(sas.calpoly website, 2010)

Advantages of Cornell
Methods
Organized and systematic for
recording and reviewing notes.
Easy format for pulling out major
concept and ideas.
Simple and efficient.
Saves time and effort.
"Do-it-right-in-the-first-place"
system.

(sas.calpoly website, 2010)

Studying Skills
Doing study isnt magic. To study you should manage
yourself. Study doesnt mean memorizing. Understanding is very
important

when you are studying. Some students face to exams

without study thats mean they have clear idea about what are they
studying

To improve Study Skills you

have to follow these methods

Find a place to study

Manage your time to study

Make a time table

Set specific objectives

Revision

Find a place to study

A bedroom is not a good place to study

Find a comfortable place

Manage time to study

Use free times for your week

Enjoy your time without doing tedious

Have frequent break

Make a time table

Try to study regularly yourself

Stick it the placed where you can see always

Set specific objectives

Revision

Mind mapping

Mind mapping is a graphical way of representing ideas

It improves the way you take notes

Source: Illumine Training Website, 2010

Why Mind Maps?

Our brain has two sides:

The left hemisphere controls logical

thoughts

The right hemisphere controls pictures,

colors, etc.

Mind maps utilities both of these

hemispheres

Source: Illumine Training Website, 2010

Why use mind maps?

It helps you:

Summarize information

Recall information

Solve problems

See connections between ideas

Revise

What can we use mind maps?

Note taking

Brainstorming

Problem solving

Studying

Memorizing

Planning

Researching

Presenting information

How to draw a Mind map

1.

Start

2.

Develop

3.

With the subject at the center of the page

Add topics, to the subject

Repeat

Add subtopics, to the topics

Sub-topic

Step 1:

Subject

Step 2:

Subject

Step 3:

Subject

Sub-topic

Tips for creating a good Mind map

Use the paper in landscape portrait

Use different colours for different ideas

Use drawings and symbols when possible.

Keep topic labels as short as possible

Vary text size, colour, and alignment according to

importance.

Use the paper in landscape portrait