Name ___________________ Date ____ Class ____ _

Physical Geography of South Asia

Speaking and Listening Skills Adivity

Taking Notes

Learning the Skill Have you ever listened to a good speech and then tried to tell

someone about it later, only to realize that you forgot much of what the speaker said? Taking notes during a speech is much more reliable than depending on your memory, and it will help you stay focused during the presentation.

Use the following techniques to help you take accurate and reliable notes during a speech: • Use an outline format and write clearly. If the speaker has made

information about his or her topic available, read it beforehand if possible.

• Develop your own system for abbreviations. Write main words­nouns and verbs- instead of articles such as the.

• Listen carefully for signal words that announce main points. • Write out completely (instead of abbreviating) any terms that

are new or confusing. • Note whether statements are facts or opinions. • Listen to the speaker's questions and the repetition of certain

words and phrases. • Listen for organization in the presentation. Note sequence of

events, causes and effects, problems and solutions, and any comparisons made by the speaker.

• Summarize the speaker's conclusion. • Soon after the presentation is over, read your notes and rewrite

them, paraphrasing main ideas and writing out abbreviated words .

..(J Practicing the Skill Directions: Read the speech below about the Indian writer Rabindranath Tagore. Then answer the questions that follow.

Rabindranath Tagore was born into a wealthy family in Kolkata (Calcutta) in 1861. He was the son of a famous philosopher and spiri­tualleader. Educated at home, Tagore began to write poetry as a child, publishing his first book at the age of 17. He studied law in Eng­land, but went back to India before completing his studies. After returning home, Tagore also returned to his first love- writing poetry.

Tagore was a nonconformist and began experimenting with different writing styles. He introduced new prose styles and verse forms to India. Tagore also wrote short stories, novels, plays, and essays, as well as hundreds of popu­lar songs. One of these songs became India's national anthem. He became the most popular and important author of the colonial era.

47

Name ___________________ Date _____ Class ____ _

Speaking and Listening Skills Activity continued

Tagore's writings reflect his deep love of his homeland, its people, and nature. At the age of 30, he began to manage his family's estates in East Bengal, often staying on a houseboat on the Padma River (now called the Ganges River). Even so, Tagore kept in close touch with the villagers. He wrote with great empa­thy about their humble, harsh lives, creating some of his best short stories during this time. He also wrote extensively about the Bengali countryside.

One of his most highly regarded books of poetry is Gitanjali: Song of Offerings (1912). Tagore became the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. In 1915 he was awarded knighthood by the British king, which he gave up in 1919 after British troops massacred nearly 400 Indian demonstrators. Tagore supported India's independence from Britain, and he was a close friend of Mohandas Gandhi. He remains a key figure who helped India bridge its past with its future.

1. Listing Reread the second paragraph of the speech. What signal words would you include in an outline to help you remember the main points?

2. Organizing How would you best organize an outline of this speech?

A. listing comparisons and contrasts

B. listing problems and solutions

C. in sequential order

D. as causes and effects

3. Summarizing Read these sentences from the passage:

48

At the age of 30, he began to manage his family'S estates in East Bengal, often staying on a houseboat on the Padma River (now called the Ganges River). Even so, Tagore kept in close touch with the villagers.

Take notes that will help you remember the meaning of these sentences, creating abbreviations you will be able to understand later.

Name ___________________ Date ____ Class ____ _

-.I Applying the Skill Directions: On a separate sheet of paper, create an outline of the speech on the previous pages. Use notes, abbreviations, definitions, and questions. Set the outline aside for a brief period of time. When you return to your outline, without referring back to the speech, write out any words you abbreviated and paraphrase the main ideas.

Speaking and Listening Skills Activity continued

Assessment Checklist Assess your note-taking outline using the checklist below:

o Paid close attention to the words

o Abbreviated words, writing mostly verbs and nouns

o Listened for signal words that indicated main points

o Listened for questions and the repetition of terms and phrases that signaled main points

o Distinguished between facts and opinions

o Summarized the conclusion

o Rewrote the notes, paraphrasing the main ideas

4q