Orientation
Note Taking
Instructors usually give clues to what is important to take down. Some of the more common clues are:
- Material written on the blackboard.
- Repetition
- Emphasis
- Word signals (e.g. "There are two points of view on . . . " "The third reason is . . . " " In conclusion . . . ")
- Summaries given at the end of class.
- Reviews given at the beginning of class.
Each student should develop his or her own method of taking notes, but most students find the following suggestions helpful:
- Make your notes brief.
- Put most notes in your own words. However, some items should be noted exactly.
- Use outline form and/or a numbering system. Indention helps you distinguish major from minor points.
- Date your notes. Perhaps number the pages.
- If you miss a statement, write key words, skip a few spaces, and get the information later.
- Don't try to use every space on the page. Leave room for coordinating your notes with the text after the lecture. (You may want to list key terms in the margin or make a summary of the contents of the page.)
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