Note Making and Note Taking
Note Making and Note Taking
Note Making and Note Taking
The difference between note-making and note-taking is substantial and could mean the
difference between a pass and a credit pass or indeed a pass and a fail.
Note-taking involves:
Writing down most of what you hear or read without actually processing the
information
Notes usually being copied from the original source and re-written in a similar
format
Notes being taken that are often unselective, trying to cover most or all of the
information without highlighting the main points or issues.
Taking notes can be useful for study, but it is a passive approach to study and learning this
starkly contrasts with the more active approach known as note-making.
Note-Making
Note-making is a more intellectual task than note-taking as it involves selecting,
analysing and summarising what you hear or read. It also involves being able to strike a
balance between listening / reading actively and making a record of it. Note-making is
therefore an active approach to study as it:
Forces you to think, because you have to make decisions about what to write
Helps you to pay attention to what you are reading, or listening to
Assists your understanding of new material if the notes are organised in your own
way and in your own words
Helps you to concentrate
Helps you to remember more information
Makes it easier to distinguish between important issues and detail
Provides a permanent record.
Facilitates learning; lectures or books can become clearer later upon reflection and
reviewing of your notes.