TAKING NOTESTAKING NOTES

Student Learning Advisory ServiceStudent Learning Advisory Service

Gina MayGina May

1

Aims of this workshopAims of this workshop

• Note taking

• Note making

• Organising/ storing notes

2

Why take notes?Why take notes?

• Volume• Complexity• Categorise• To fix information in your mind• To stay focussed• To use later

3

Other reasons?Other reasons?Learning process

Helps to memorise

Use multiple senses/ multiple activities

4

Taking NotesTaking Notes

Consider the purpose

Depends on the sourceAudio-visualText based

Lectures

Challenge what you hear/read5

Note taking while Note taking while readingreadingHighlight • Notes in margin • Colour-code information

Linear Notes• List format

Create diagrams

6

Herringbone NotesHerringbone Notes

7

Network NotesNetwork Notes

8

Mind MapsMind Maps

9

Keeping trackKeeping track

Highlight key words

Highlight your comments and ideas

File according to topic

Notes for revision

10

Revision or essay in exam Revision or essay in exam notesnotesTheoriesEvidence/ examplesAuthorities/ representativesConnectionsUnderstandingPosition/ argumentSign posting/ structure

11

A few A few Don’tsDon’tsDon’t distort the meaningDon’t copy out sentences

without marking them out as quotes

Don’t copy out whole chunksDon’t throw away your notes

after completing the assignmentDon’t record lectures – unless you

are sure that you will have the time to listen to them

12

Good notes willGood notes willSave timeHave a purposeMake sense months laterBe well organised Be well referencedDistinguish between source

material and your own ideas/comments

Have space for diagrams and add-ins

Be filed properly 13