Taking Notes in Class

T.C. Norris
Winter 2017
Introduction
In order to succeed in a class, students must master the material presented
in the class.
In order to master the material, students must
– Listen carefully to what the teacher says
– Understand the material presented in class
– Remember what the teacher says
Taking effective notes in class helps students understand and remember
the material presented in class.
 Introduction
A primary focus in taking notes is to distinguish between
— general points (main ideas)
— supporting information (examples and illustrations)

There are several note taking methods that enable students to make this
distinction and see the relationship between general points and support.
 Characteristics of a good note taker
1. Prepare for class = Establish continuity 5. Use a good note taking system –
▪Review notes from previous class session having more than one is good
(5-10 Min.) 6. Adapt note taking to teaching
▪ Preview textbook – key terms, summary, style – Cornell works with very
etc. (15 min) organized teachers
2. When in doubt, write it down 7. Type or rewrite notes
• Review and remember
3. Go on a diet – don’t try to write it all or
you will fall behind
▪ Use abbreviations – make a list/key
▪ Eliminate unimportant words - articles
4. Know your instructor
▪ Lecture style – talk, slides, handouts, etc. What needs to be
written down?
▪ Acceptable note style – show notes to teacher for evaluation
on first day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvsf591rYWE
Techniques for Taking Notes in Class
 Word-for-Word Notes
Our Lost Constitution Tips
The Const. guides the country—needs to be followed by gov. 1. Try to write everything the
& people.
teacher says (write fast!)
No following, no Const.
2. Don’t worry about neatness,
Federalism & separation of powers— fundamental to the
system. Power at state level, mostly. just get the information
down
When Federal does its job and states do their jobs, things work
right. 3. Develop your own form of short-
Courts need to stay out of legislation—job of Congress. hand/condensed writing

Separation of powers needs to be restored. 4. Rewrite notes neatly as soon

as you can after class =
good review and prep for
further study
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJrFSYJBPAI
 Follow-the-Points Notes
Our Lost Constitution Tips
Guide for the country
1. Copy the teacher’s outline/
▪ Must be followed
–by gov. bullet points from the board
–by people 2. Leave room to add ideas as the
▪ No following, no Constitution teacher lectures
Federalism and separation of powers
3. Focus on the teacher and write
▪ Fundamental
▪ Power – mostly with states down clarifying ideas as he/she
Successful government function mentions them
▪ Federal government does its job
▪ The states do their job
Dysfunction – mixing of functions
▪ Courts rather than Congress make law
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJrFSYJBPAI
Separation of powers should be restored
 Outline Notes
A. Finding Main Ideas Tips
1. Look at
1. Easier to do on a
a. Title
b. Headings computer or tablet
c. First paragraph/thesis than by hand
2. Confirm with
a. Topic sentences 2. Sometimes hard to
b. Conclusion distinguish general and
B. Finding Supporting Details specific points during
1. Look at
a. Topic Sentences
lecture
b. General and specific statements 3. May be easier to do later
within the body paragraphs
from class notes as a review
 Cornell Notes
Developing Reading Skills Developing Reading Skills
2.5”
CUE Notetaking A. Finding Main Ideas
Where
As a review, write questions

1. Look at
may main
Take notes as usual ideas be
a. Title
(find information easier

found? b. Headings
c. First paragraph/thesis
How can I 2. Confirm with
verify main a. Topic sentences
when reviewing)
related to notes

ideas?
b. Conclusion
B. Finding Supporting Details
Where may 1. Look at
supporting a. Topic Sentences
details be
b. General and specific
found?
statements within the
body paragraphs

Summary Developing reading skills is achieved by

2” analyzing a text to locate the basic elements
Summarize class lecture of the text.

http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Cornell-Notes
 Mind Map Notes
Tips
1. Good for visual learners
2. Good for organizing ideas
3. May be too complex for
classroom application
4. May be good for summariz-
ing a text
5. May be easier to do later
from class notes as a review

http://www.greendealsolutions.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/strategies-for-change.jpg
 Flow Notes (similar to Mind Map)
Tips
1. Good for visual learners
2. Good for understanding
processes and connections
3. Allows for more listening in
class
4. May be easier to do later
from class notes as a review

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjE36i7wrrRAhXkylQKHR4zCscQjRwIBw&url=https
%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F12314598953591805%2F&bvm=bv.143423383,d.cGc&psig=AFQjCNHgKgZ4BLg7EaSL9D5dhu-
ciunLUg&ust=1484238774773349
Write on the Slides
Tips
1. Download slides
2. Print slide note sheets
3. Add explanatory information
from lecture next to slide
4. Allows you to listen to the
teacher more, which
enhances learning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJrFSYJBPAI
 Fast Note Taking
1. Use abbreviations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL_YjcGoszo

2. Speedwriting/Personal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedwriting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Shorthand
Shorthand
▪ Abbreviations http://www.uolearn.com/speedwriting/speedwritingresources/
▪ Phonetic spelling speedwritinglookinsideshorthand.pdf

3. Ford Improved Shorthand

▪ New, simpler Alphabet

4. Personal Shorthand System

▪ Symbols for letters, parts of words
▪ Diagrams, arrows, etc.
 Summary
There are many techniques for taking notes in class. One or more of them will suit your
learning styles. (http://www.learning-styles-online.com/inventory)
Choose the ones that you are most comfortable with, that seem most natural to you, and most
suited to your classes.
Whichever ones you choose, the most important thing is to listen to the teacher. Listening is
the primary source of learning in the class. Focusing on taking notes rather than listening is a
distraction and makes learning difficult.
Notes are a means of helping you review class material and remember it. Listening in class
helps you understand the material, which will enable you to succeed in the class.
 Reference/Review Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvsf591rYWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AffuwyJZTQQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJrFSYJBPAI

http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Cornell-Notes

http://www.greendealsolutions.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/strategies-for-change.jpg

https://www.google.com/url?
sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjE36i7wrrRAhXkylQKHR4zCscQjR
wIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin
%2F12314598953591805%2F&bvm=bv.143423383,d.cGc&psig=AFQjCNHgKgZ4BLg7EaSL9D5dhu-
ciunLUg&ust=1484238774773349

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speedwriting

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Shorthand

http://www.uolearn.com/speedwriting/speedwritingresources/speedwritinglookinsideshorthand.pdf (Ad for