NOTE-MAKING

Expected Learning Outcomes

The Students will be able to
 develop knowledge and purpose of writing notes
 become aware of the form, content and process of writing
 retain a data and information
 organize ideas on a particular subject
 express effectively
 sharing ideas and develop appropriate style of writing.
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NOTE-MAKING
Note-Making is an advanced writing skill which is acquiring increasing importance due to
knowledge explosion. There is a need to remember at least the main points of any given
subject. Making notes is a complex activity which combines several skills.
I. How to make notes:
1. Read the passage carefully.
2. Heading
(i)What is the main idea of the passage?
(ii) Frame heading based on the central idea.
(iii) Write in the middle of the page
3. Subheadings
(i) How has the main idea been presented and developed?
(ii) Are there two or three subordinate/associated ideas?
(iii) You can frame subheadings based on these.
4. Points
Are there further details or points of the subtitles that you wish to keep in
these notes? These are called points. Points may have sub points.
5. All subheadings should be written at a uniform distance from the margin.
6. Indenting-points should also maintain the same distance away from the
margin.
7. Do not write full sentences
8. Abbreviations may be used.
II Help with abbreviations:
1. Use standard abbreviations and symbols as far as possible.
(i) Capitalise first letters of words
e.g., : U.P., U.S.A., U.K., U.N.O., etc.
(ii) Common abbreviations
 Sc. (for Science), Mr, Mrs, Dr, govt, B.Sc., etc.
(ii) Common symbols i.e., e.g., Rx, /, +ve, -ve, ® (leading to) ↑ (rising), ↓(falling),
=, >,<
(iii) Measurements & figures -100”, 100’, 100 kg., 100mm, 100 ml.
2. Making your own abbreviations:
(i) Keep the main sounds of the words: edn (education), progm. (programme).
(ii) It is good practice to keep the first few and the last letters of the word-e.g., -
education-edu’n, developing- dev’ing. Retain the suffix so that later when you
are going over the notes, you may recall the full form of the word-e.g., ed’nal,
(educational), prog’ve (progressive)
3. Caution
(i) Do not get overenthusiastic about abbreviations.
(ii) You should not abbreviate every word.
(iii) One abbreviation in one point is enough.
(iv) As general rule, the heading should not be abbreviated.
(v) You may use abbreviations in sub-headings.
III your notes should like this:
(a) Indenting is essential.

HEADING
1. Subheading
1.1. Point
1.2. Point
1.3. Point
1.3.1. Sub-point
1.3.2. Sub-point
2. Subheading
2.1. Point

2.2. Point
3. Subheading
3.1. Point
3.2. Point
Notice that indenting, i.e., shifting from the margin, has been used to clearly indicate sub-
headings, points and sub points. Subheadings, though separated by points, occur below one
another. Points and sub-points too come below one another, similarly. Such use of indenting
gives your notes a visual character. At a glance, you can see the main idea and its various
aspects.
IV Abbreviations:
Note-making is an informal exercise as it is meant for your use only. You will not present a
formal document in note form. Notes will be developed into a more formal piece of writing.
Since notes are informal and are meant for your use only, you can abbreviate long words or
use accepted abbreviations and symbols. Examples of both kinds are given below.
You may keep the main sounds of the word-e.g., - organize-orgz., books-bks
How To Summarise A Given Passage

Read (First Read): Read the passage very carefully and critically. Read the passage straight
through. Do not stop to look up anything that gives you trouble at the first reading. You should
get a feel for the author’s tone, style and main idea.
Reread (Second Read): Rereading should be active reading. Underline the topic sentences
and key facts with pencil. Label the areas that you want to refer to as you write your summary.
Also label the areas that you find irrelevant. Identify areas that you do not understand and try
to clarify those points.
One Sentence at a time: Now write the main idea of each paragraph in one well-developed
sentence. Make sure that what you include in your sentence are key points and not minor
details.
Write a Thesis Statement: The key to a well-written summary is the Thesis Statement. A
quality Thesis Statement could either express one main idea or assert your conclusions about
the subject. Generally, a thesis statement consists of the following parts –
a clearly identifiable topic or subject matter, and
a succinct summary of what you have to say about that topic.
Ready to Write: You can use Thesis Statement as the introductory sentence of your summary,
while your other sentences can make up the body.
In fact, a good summary should give ideas, facts or points in the order in which they are given
in the original text.
Add some transition words such as-then, however, also, moreover etc., that help with the
overall structure and flow of the summary. The following tips will help you to write a good
summary:
Write in the present tense (preferably in active voice).
Be Concise-Summary should be within the word limit (about 80 words) and should be coherent
without any errors in logic. Don’t put your opinions, ideas or interpretations into the summary.
Check for Accuracy: Reread your summary and make sure that you have accurately
represented the author’s ideas and key points. Make sure that your summary does not contain
your own comments.
Revise: Revise your summary for style, grammar and punctuation. Correct all the errors in
composition and rewrite it if needed.
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 SAMPLE
Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

1. Flexibility and mobility are essential not only to reduce the risk of injuries but to generally
feel better. Living a nine to five desk life can be demanding on health and wellness. Here is
how you can keep the most common problems at bay.

2. Even if you are not exercising you need to make sure that you maintain correct posture and
sit at your desk in the right way. It is important that your chair is placed correctly and your legs
are not left hanging. Proper alignment ensures that your neck and back are not strained.
Exercises and abdominal crunches two to three times a week can strengthen the core. It will
help take the pressure off your back and will make it easier to maintain good posture. Chairs
with a back that support your upper back are preferable for those who work long hours in front
of screens.

3. Constant typing, writing reports, and answering e-mails can exert your wrists leading to
long-term damage. The frequency of your use and how you position your wrists at your
keyboard can be a reason. The telltale signs of exertion would be a tingling sensation or
numbness. One should not ignore initial signs. Make sure that you rest your wrist at regular
intervals. To relieve tension quickly fold your hands in a NAMASTE in front of your chest
with elbows moving out and lower your hands till you feel a good stretch in your wrists. Also
rotating your fists inside and outside provides much relief to strained wrists.

4. Since those who work on desks spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, they are at
a risk of straining their eyes. This may also lead to dry eyes and fatigue. Poor eyesight is the
result of continued and improper exposure to screens. Keeping the computer screen at an
optimal distance helps a lot in minimising strain to eyes. The screen shouldn’t be too close or
too far. To ease eye strain use good lighting and make it a point to look at a distance away from
your screen every twenty to thirty minutes.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
subheadings.
Use recognisable abbreviations and a format you consider suitable. Also, supply a title to it.
(b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes made.

Answer:
Title/Heading: HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR DESK USERS

1. Correct posture
1.1 Place chair correctly for neck and back
1.2 Don’t hang legs
 1.3 Ex’cises & abdominal crunches
1.4 Choose chairs with support from upper back

2. Maintaining wrist flexibility

2.1 Wrong position can cause wrist damage, cause tingling
2.2. Relax wrists reg’ly in Namaste position and stretch
2.3 Rotate wrists inside and outside.

3. Preventing eye strain

3.1 Eye strain- can cause dry eyes and fatigue
3.2 Keep computer screen at an optimal distance to prevent poor eyesight
3.3 Use good light’g
3.4 Look at a distant spot every 20-30 minutes.

Key to the Abbreviations Used

1. corr’ly – correctly
2. ex’cises – exercises
3. abdom’l – abdominal
4. damg – damage
5. reg’ly – regularly
6. light’g – lighting

(b) Summary

Desk users are at risk of losing flexibility, mobility, and wellness due to long working hours.
Good selection of office chairs and proper posture are essential for neck and back health.
Damage to the wrists can be prevented by exercising them frequently. Eyes too are at a risk
due to looking at the computer screen for long. Optimal distance from the screen will prevent
fatigue, dry eyes and poor vision. Good lighting is essential. One should look away from the
screen every 20-30 minutes.

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Assignment

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow:

Effective speaking depends on effective listening. It takes energy to concentrate on hearing and
to concentrate on understanding what has been heard. Incompetent listeners fail in a number of
ways. First, they may drift. Their attention drifts from what the speaker is saying. Second, they
may counter. They find counter-arguments to whatever a speaker may be saying. Third, they
compete. Then, they filter. They exclude from their understanding those parts of the message
which do not readily fit with their own frame of reference. Finally, they react. They let personal
feelings about the speaker or subject overside the significance of the message which is being
sent.
What can a listener do to be more effective. The first key to effective listening is the art of
concentration. If a listener positively wishes to concentrate on receiving a message, his chances
of success are high!

It may need determination. Some speakers are difficult to follow either because of voice
problems or because of the form in which they send a message. There is then a particular need
for the determination of a listener to concentrate on what is being said.

Concentration is helped by alertness. Mental alertness is helped by physical alertness. It is not

simply physical fitness but also positioning of the body, the limbs, and the head. Some people
also find it helpful to their concentration if they hold the head slightly to one side. One useful
way for achieving this is intensive notetaking, by trying to capture the critical headings and
subheadings the speaker is referring to.

Note-taking has been recommended as an aid to the listener. It also helps the speaker. It gives
him confidence when he sees that listeners are sufficiently interested to take notes, the patterns
of eye contact when the note taker looks up can be very positive; and the speaker’s timing is
aided he can see when a note-taker is writing hard and can then make effective use of pauses.

Posture too is important. Consider the impact made by a less competent listener who pushes
his chair backward and slouches. An upright posture helps a listener’s concentration. At the
same time, it is seen by the speaker to be a positive feature amongst his listeners. Effective
listening skills . have an impact on both the listener and the speaker.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and
subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary and also suggest a suitable
title.
(b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes.

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