How of Note Taking

Normally, three types of structures are used to make notes.

1. Outline Notes

2. Detailed Notes

3. Mind Maps

Outline Notes is actually a compilation of trigger words.  Trigger words are words that bring up mental images of associated with texts and concepts from the main text book. These notes are linear and can be recorded on flash cards and carried around in your pocket.

Detailed notes are notes that students normally make in the class room or while studying a subject.  It is actually a students version of what he understands from a lecture or text book.  These notes can also be verbatim from the lecture or text book in a summary form. Technically such notes should not require any editing or revision but in practice these notes are not perfect and often needs to be revised, edited and even corrected on basic concepts.

Mind maps are spider web like diagrams that help the student appreciate and understand the association of ideas and concepts better. [To know more about Mind maps read the article on Mind Maps.]

Outline Notes: How to make them?

Outline notes break down the parts of topic into hierarchical units. Several students use this technique to remind them of the points they have to cover in their answers during an examination. It is extremely helpful in organizing your thoughts and giving your answers a structure. 

The basic format for an outline note is the use of alternating series of numbers and letters with indents to indicate the levels of importance.  An outline note on a topic would appear as under:

Subject:    __________________________________ 

Name of Topic_______________________

Key Points

1.    Key Point 1___________________________

2.    Key Point 2___________________________

Look at the table of contents in any book.  It gives you an outline of what the book contains. Outline notes are like that. Hierarchical with topics and subtopics listed out!

Detailed Notes:

Detailed notes that are normally made by students during a lecture session can be painful to read.  As observed above, it will need a lot of editing and correcting before it can be used for study and preparation for an exam.  So how does one learn to make good detailed notes?  You need to learn how to use the SQ3R method. What is the SQ3R method?

S stands for Survey.  You can make meaningful notes if you have read your lesson before the lecture and are ready with basic concepts or an outline.  Make the notes with reference to the points you have made in your outline. Once the lecture is over, revise your notes with reference to the text at the earliest opportunity. This involves Questioning (which is the Q in the formula), reading (which is the first R of the formula), Recalling (which is the second R in the formula) and Reviewing (which is the last R in the formula).

You will get plenty of help in this process from the way your text book is structured.  Look at the lesson.  Do you find that it is divided into sections?  The sections are divided into subsections and the subsections are divided into paragraphs.  These are visual clues for you.  They tell you what the lesson is all about, the key points that are covered and the important points within the key points that you need to know.  

Read the lesson and highlight the key points and definitions for memorizing.  Normally, writers tend to place the key idea in the section at the start or end of the section. Look for it. Examples proving or illustrating the point make up the paragraphs.  Sometimes textbooks also provide additional tips in form of Verbal and Visual Sign posts.  Watch out for them!

Use your own words in compiling your notes. It will make it easier for you to remember.

Mind Maps:

Mind Maps are non linear spatial, graphical technique of representing ideas. It captures association of ideas in form of a spider web. So it is also known as Spider web technique of note taking. We have dealt with mind mapping techniques in greater detail in the article on Mind Maps.

Some tips on Note Taking

1. Writing down everything you hear or read is foolish waste of time.  So focus on the lecture and note down only the salient points. Descriptions and full explanations should not be part of your notes.

2. Your notes should contain key words and short sentences. 

3. Your notes should be accurate and in your own words.  If you must quote from the author make sure you quote correctly.

4. Use a standard system of punctuation and abbreviation in your notes. 

5. Use the skeleton outline system and indent where required.

6. Leave space for later additions to your notes.

7. Do not worry about missing a point. It can always be added to the note during study and revision.

8. Make sure your notes are not made on scraps of oddly shaped pieces of paper.  You should be able to file your notes and keep it in order.

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