Lecture Note Taking

LECTURE NOTE TAKING
Why take notes in class?
1. Organized notes will help you identify the core of important ideas in the lecture.
2. A permanent record will help you to learn and remember later.
3. The lecture may contain information not available anywhere else. This will be your only chance
to learn it.
4. Lecture is where you learn what your instructor thinks is important, and she makes up the
exams.
5. Class assignments are usually given in the lecture.
6. The underlying organization and purpose of the lecture will become clear through note taking.
TAKING NOTES IN CLASS: A BRIEF SUMMARY
1. BEFORE THE LECTURE BEGINS:

o Make some preparation for the lecture so that you will be more likely to predict the
organization of the lecture.
CHECK THE COURSE OUTLINE to see if the lecturer has listed the topic or key
ideas in the upcoming lecture. If so, convert this information into questions to be
answered in the lecture.
BEFORE THE LECTURE, COMPLETE THE ASSIGNED READING AND MAP
ASSIGNMENTS.
REVIEW THE TEXT ASSIGNMENT and any reading notes taken.
REVIEW NOTES from the previous lecture.
o Sit as near to the front of the room as possible to eliminate distractions.
o Copy everything on the blackboard and transparencies, or the highlighted ideas/terms
in Power Points.
o Have a proper attitude. Listening well is a matter of paying close attention. Be open-
minded to what the lecturer may say even though you may disagree with it.
o
2. DURING THE LECTURE:
o Have your paper and pencil or pen ready.
o Write down the title of the lecture, the name of the course and the date.
o Watch the speaker carefully.
o Listen carefully to the introduction (if there is one). Hear the lecture. By knowing his
outline, you will be better prepared to anticipate what notes you will need to take.
o Be brief in your note taking. Summarize your notes in your own words, not the
instructor's. Remember: your goal is to understand what she is saying, not to try to
record exactly everything she says.
o Try to recognize main ideas by signal words that indicate something important is to
follow. Examples: "First, Second, Next, Then, Thus, Another important...," etc.
o Jot down details or examples that support the main ideas. Give special attention to
details not covered in the textbook. (of course, you have already read the text book.)
o If there is a summary at the end of the lecture, pay close attention to it. You can use it to
check the organization of your notes later. If your notes seem disorganized, copy down
the main points covered in the summary. It will help in revising your notes later.
o At the end of the lecture, ask questions about points you did not understand.
o Don't be in a rush. Be attentive, listen and take notes right up to the point at which the
instructor dismisses you. If you are gathering together your personal belongings when
you should be listening, you're bound to miss an important point--perhaps an
announcement about the next exam, or an assignment!
3. AFTER THE LECTURE:

o Look over and revise your notes as quickly as possible, preferably immediately after the
lecture since at that time you will still remember a good deal of the lecture.
o During your first review period after the lecture (that evening), coordinate your reading
notes with your lecture notes. Is there anything you did not understand that you need to
ask about at your next class meeting?
o Review your lecture notes at least once a week, but definitely before the next lecture.
TIPS ON TAKING NOTES
1. Collect notes for each course in one place, in a separate notebook or section of a notebook.
2. Write notes on one side of the page only…
3. Use a loose-leaf notebook rather than a notebook with a permanent binding. This way you can
see the pattern of a lecture by spreading out the pages. This also makes it easier to re-write
notes in more understandable or neater format later. It also makes it possible to incorporate
your reading notes in the right order.
4. Write subject and date of the class on the first sheet for each lecture.
5. Use 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper for your notes. This size will allow you to indent and see the
structure of your notes.
6. Do not perform manual activities which will detract from taking notes. Do not doodle or play
with your pen. These activities break eye contact and concentration.
7. Think a minute about your material before you start making notes. Don't take notes just to be
taking notes! Take notes that will be of real value to you when you look over them at a later
date.
8. Have a uniform system of punctuation and abbreviation that will make sense to you. Use a
skeleton outline and show importance by indenting. Use abbreviations like . w/, ex, , no, &,
w/o, intntl, C’s, Symbol for “change”…just be sure YOU understand it!
9. Leave lots of white space for later additions and to separate ideas.
10. Enter your notes legibly because it saves time. Make them clear.
11. “Box” assignments and suggested books so you can identify them quickly. Underline headings
for major subjects. Circle or later highlight main ideas or new ideas.
12. Mark ideas which the lecturer emphasizes with a star or some other special symbol.
13. Pay close attention to transitional words, phrases, and sentence which signal the end of one
idea and the beginning of another. Listen for words such as “so,” "therefore," "finally," and
"furthermore." They usually signal an important idea.
14. Take down examples and sketches which the lecturer presents. Indicate examples with "EX."
15. Review your notes as soon as possible. Read through the notes and improve the organization
if necessary (yes, you may have to re-write your notes if it will help you learn).
16. Listening and note taking are SKILLS. The more you practice these techniques, the more
skilled you will become. REALLY TRY TO USE AND IMPROVE THESE SKILLS. Soon you will
be able to record the fastest lecturer to your satisfaction.
SIGNAL WORDS
Your instructor is not going to send up a rocket when she states an important new idea or gives an
example, but she will use signals to telegraph what she is doing. Every good speaker does it, and you
should expect to receive these signals. For example, she may introduce an example with "for
example" as done here.
Other common signals are:
• "There are three reasons why...." (HERE THEY COME!)

• "First...Second... Third...." (THERE THEY ARE!)
• "And most important,...." (A MAIN IDEA!)
• "A major development...." (A MAIN IDEA AGAIN!)
She may signal support material with:
• "On the other hand...."

• "On the contrary...."
• "For example...."
• "Similarly...."
• "In contrast...."
• "Also...."
• "For instance...."
• “That is why…”
He may signal conclusion or summary with:
• "Therefore...."
• "As a result...." or “So…”
• "Finally...."
• "From this we see...."
She may signal very loud with:
• "Now this is important...."

• "Remember that...."
• "The important idea is that...."
• "The basic concept here is...."
• “Put a star by this in your notes…”
Signals are usually ignored by those of us who do not know how to listen effectively. Expect signals
and be alert when you receive them.
Based on original content & format by Gregory Wells, Coordinator, William James Center, Davis and Elkins College,
Elkins WV., NACADA Conf. 1987, on the web at: http://www.csbsju.edu/academicadvising/help/lec-note.htm

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LECTURE NOTE TAKING

Why take notes in class?

TAKING NOTES IN CLASS: A BRIEF SUMMARY

1. BEFORE THE LECTURE BEGINS:

3. AFTER THE LECTURE:

TIPS ON TAKING NOTES

Other common signals are:

• "There are three reasons why...." (HERE THEY COME!)

She may signal support material with:

• "On the other hand...."

He may signal conclusion or summary with:

She may signal very loud with:

• "Now this is important...."

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