Taking Notes

Writing and Speaking

These Are Related:These Are Related:

Why take notes?Why take notes?

Why take notes?Why take notes?

To rememberTo remember

Over 50% of what we hear is Over 50% of what we hear is lost in the first 20 minutes to lost in the first 20 minutes to an hour.an hour.

If your mind wanders, you can behere now by taking notes.

Tips for taking notesTips for taking notes

Be physically alertBe physically alert

TipsTips

Develop a positive attitude. Convince Develop a positive attitude. Convince yourself that the speaker has something yourself that the speaker has something valuable to say.valuable to say.

TipsTips

Distinguish between listening and Distinguish between listening and hearing.hearing.

Hearing is done with the earsHearing is done with the ears

Listening is done with the Listening is done with the mindmind

TipsTips

Ask yourself questionsAsk yourself questions Why is she saying that?Why is she saying that? What does he mean?What does he mean? What is the main point?What is the main point?

TipsTips

Take notesTake notes The act of writing keeps you physically The act of writing keeps you physically

and mentally alertand mentally alert

Be open to different Be open to different viewpoints and new ideas.viewpoints and new ideas.

Prepare for note taking.Prepare for note taking.

Have the proper materials.Have the proper materials.

Three ring binderThree ring binder Notebook paperNotebook paper Pen Pen HighlighterHighlighter

Review the calendar and Review the calendar and syllabussyllabus What topic is being discussed?What topic is being discussed?

Read the textRead the text

Find the main ideasFind the main ideas Be familiar with the topic Be familiar with the topic

CollegeSuccess

What to write downWhat to write down

Focus on the main ideasFocus on the main ideas Write supporting details as you have Write supporting details as you have

timetime Watch for verbal signalsWatch for verbal signals

Signal words point the way Signal words point the way

Example WordsExample Words

To illustrateTo illustrate For exampleFor example For instanceFor instance

Here comes an Here comes an example. Write it example. Write it down.down.

Addition WordsAddition Words

In additionIn addition AlsoAlso FurthermoreFurthermore

Here comes another Here comes another main idea. Write it main idea. Write it down too. down too.

Enumeration WordsEnumeration Words

The five stepsThe five steps First, second, thirdFirst, second, third Next Next

Here comes a list. Here comes a list. Organize your notes Organize your notes and write down the and write down the items in the list.items in the list.

Time WordsTime Words

Before, afterBefore, after FormerlyFormerly SubsequentlySubsequently PriorPrior MeanwhileMeanwhile

Hmm! Here comes a Hmm! Here comes a time relationship. time relationship. What comes first What comes first and what happens and what happens next. next.

Cause and Effect WordsCause and Effect Words

ThereforeTherefore As a resultAs a result If. . . .thenIf. . . .then

Here comes a cause Here comes a cause and effect. Write and effect. Write the labels “cause” the labels “cause” and “effect” in your and “effect” in your notes and get these notes and get these ideas in your notes.ideas in your notes.

Definition WordsDefinition Words

In other wordsIn other words It simply meansIt simply means That isThat is In essenceIn essence

Here comes a Here comes a definition. Label it definition. Label it “def” and write down “def” and write down the definition. Test the definition. Test questions are often questions are often based on definitions. based on definitions.

Swivel WordsSwivel Words

HoweverHowever NeverthelessNevertheless Yes, butYes, but StillStill

Here comes an Here comes an exception or exception or qualifying remark. qualifying remark. Put this in your Put this in your notes. notes.

Compare and ContrastCompare and Contrast

SimilarlySimilarly LikewiseLikewise In contrastIn contrast

Write the similarities Write the similarities and differences in and differences in your notes.your notes.

Summary WordsSummary Words

In conclusionIn conclusion To sum upTo sum up In a nutshellIn a nutshell

Great! This is the Great! This is the end. I’ll try to write end. I’ll try to write the summary word the summary word for word to make for word to make sure I have the most sure I have the most important ideas. important ideas.

Test WordsTest Words

This is important.This is important. Remember this.Remember this. You’ll see this againYou’ll see this again You might want to You might want to

study this for the study this for the test.test.

This will be on the This will be on the test. Make sure to test. Make sure to know this. know this.

Nonverbal SignalsNonverbal Signals

Visually presented Visually presented materialmaterial

HandoutsHandouts Write down Write down

whatever iswhatever is

written on thewritten on the

board board

Note Taking SystemsNote Taking Systems

The Cornell FormatThe Cornell Format

2 1/2 inches 6 inches

RECALLCOLUMN

•QUESTIONS•OUTLINE

TAKE NOTES HERE INDENT FOR MINOR POINTS

MAJOR POINTS

Practice: Taking Notes in the Practice: Taking Notes in the Cornell FormatCornell Format

Create a Mind MapCreate a Mind Map

Note taking

Record

ReviewRead

Be here now

Develop AnInterest

Check Syllabus

Practice: Taking Notes with a Practice: Taking Notes with a Mind MapMind Map

Research notesResearch notes

Notes for writing papers and speechesNotes for writing papers and speeches

Use 3x5 cardsUse 3x5 cards

Source cardsSource cards

Information cardsInformation cards

Use your own wordsUse your own words

3x5 card

Telegraphic SentencesTelegraphic Sentences

Write key words onlyWrite key words only Omit unnecessary wordsOmit unnecessary words Ignore rules of grammarIgnore rules of grammar Use abbreviations and symbolsUse abbreviations and symbols Similar to text messagingSimilar to text messaging

Use Abbreviations Use Abbreviations (As Long As You Can Read Them)(As Long As You Can Read Them) AmountAmount AmtAmt GovernmentGovernment GovGov EducationEducation EdEd PoliticsPolitics PolPol HistoryHistory HistHist GeneralGeneral GenGen ExampleExample ExEx DemocraticDemocratic DemDem

Leave out the vowelsLeave out the vowels

CheckingChecking CkgCkg AccountingAccounting AcctAcct

Use a symbolUse a symbol

withoutwithout wowo withwith ww andand ++ less thanless than << more thanmore than >> equalsequals ==

Use an AcronymUse an Acronym

NASANASA ASAPASAP USAUSA Make up your own (Massachusetts Make up your own (Massachusetts

Modern Party becomes MMP)Modern Party becomes MMP)

Review Your NotesReview Your Notes

Remember that it is most Remember that it is most effective to review within 20 effective to review within 20 minutes.minutes.

How to ReviewHow to Review

Highlight or underline the main Highlight or underline the main points. Fill in missing details.points. Fill in missing details.

If using the Cornell Format, If using the Cornell Format, use the recall column to test use the recall column to test yourself. yourself.

Group Activity:Group Activity:A Case Study A Case Study

Assignment:Assignment:

Note Taking ChecklistNote Taking Checklist

Evaluate Your Note TakingEvaluate Your Note TakingSkillsSkills

Power WritingPower Writing PPreparerepare

OOrganizerganize

WWriterite

EEditdit

RReviseevise

PPreparerepare

Plan Your TimePlan Your Time Avoid stress by planning Avoid stress by planning

ahead ahead

Allow time for life’s emergencies and Allow time for life’s emergencies and computer problems computer problems

Find a Space and TimeFind a Space and Time

Choose a General TopicChoose a General Topic

Gather InformationGather Information

Write a Thesis StatementWrite a Thesis Statement

The key ideaThe key idea What is the most important idea?What is the most important idea? What question would I like to ask What question would I like to ask

about it?about it? What is my answer?What is my answer?

OOrganizerganize

List topicsList topics Arrange in a logical orderArrange in a logical order

WWriterite

Get StartedGet Started

Write freelyWrite freely Use brainstorming if youUse brainstorming if you

are stuckare stuck Write the first sentenceWrite the first sentence Write the introductionWrite the introduction Write a first draftWrite a first draft Break it into small partsBreak it into small parts Beware of procrastinationBeware of procrastination

Exercise: Free WritingExercise: Free Writing

Writing a paper is like climbing Writing a paper is like climbing a mountain. What small steps a mountain. What small steps can you take to get started?can you take to get started?

Save Your WorkSave Your Work

On your hard driveOn your hard drive On a diskOn a disk A written copyA written copy

The IntroductionThe Introduction

Contains the thesis statementContains the thesis statement Foundation for the paperFoundation for the paper Contains interesting points that motivate Contains interesting points that motivate

the reader to read your paperthe reader to read your paper

The Body of the PaperThe Body of the Paper

Good writing is clear thinkingGood writing is clear thinking Use plain and understandable languageUse plain and understandable language Provide explanation and examplesProvide explanation and examples

Beware of PlagiarismBeware of Plagiarism

Copying the work of others without Copying the work of others without giving them credit. giving them credit.

Avoid Plagiarism by:Avoid Plagiarism by:

Using quotations and providing a Using quotations and providing a referencereference

Thinking about the main ideas and then Thinking about the main ideas and then looking away and writing them in your looking away and writing them in your own wordsown words

Write a ConclusionWrite a Conclusion

Summarizes topicsSummarizes topics Answers question posed in the thesis Answers question posed in the thesis

statementstatement Make it interesting and powerfulMake it interesting and powerful

Include ReferencesInclude References

AuthorAuthor Title of bookTitle of book Publisher of bookPublisher of book City where the book was publishedCity where the book was published The publication date The publication date The page number The page number

Use an Appropriate StyleUse an Appropriate Style

APAAPA Chicago StyleChicago Style MLAMLA

Example of APA Style:Example of APA Style:

Fralick, M. Fralick, M. College and College and career success, fifth ed., career success, fifth ed., Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt Dubuque: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2011, p. Publishing Company, 2011, p. 99.99.

Write your first draft and put it Write your first draft and put it away for awhile. Why?away for awhile. Why?

EEdit and dit and RReviseevise

Read it. Does it make sense?Read it. Does it make sense? Check grammar and spelling.Check grammar and spelling. Be courageous and select the best. Be courageous and select the best. Check for biased language.Check for biased language.

Biased Language ExamplesBiased Language Examples PolicemanPoliceman ChairmanChairman FiremanFireman DraftsmanDraftsman MankindMankind LadyLady CrippledCrippled

Police OfficerPolice Officer ChairChair Fire FighterFire Fighter DrafterDrafter HumanityHumanity WomanWoman Disabled or Disabled or

Physically Physically ChallengedChallenged

Prepare the Final CopyPrepare the Final Copy

Double spaceDouble space Font of 10 or l2Font of 10 or l2 One inch margins on sidesOne inch margins on sides Three inch top margin on first pageThree inch top margin on first page Don’t forget Bibliography or Works Don’t forget Bibliography or Works

CitedCited Number your pagesNumber your pages

The Bibliography or Works The Bibliography or Works CitedCited Title of PublicationTitle of Publication AuthorAuthor PublisherPublisher DateDate Page numberPage number See text for sample See text for sample

Making An Oral PresentationMaking An Oral Presentation

Relax!Relax!

Some Relaxation TechniquesSome Relaxation Techniques

Admit you are anxious.Admit you are anxious. You do not have to be perfect.You do not have to be perfect. Take deep breaths and focus on your Take deep breaths and focus on your

breathing.breathing. Use positive self-talk.Use positive self-talk.

Parts of a SpeechParts of a Speech

The IntroductionThe Introduction The Main BodyThe Main Body The Conclusion The Conclusion

Making a SpeechMaking a Speech

Practice your speech until you feel Practice your speech until you feel comfortable.comfortable.

Review the set-up.Review the set-up. Deliver the speech.Deliver the speech.

Dress appropriately and comfortably.Dress appropriately and comfortably. Remember to smile and make eye Remember to smile and make eye

contact.contact. Don’t forget your sense of humor. Don’t forget your sense of humor.

The College Success Web The College Success Web site has many resources on site has many resources on making a speech:making a speech:

Toast MastersToast Masters Virtual AssistantVirtual Assistant Examples of Best Speeches in HistoryExamples of Best Speeches in History Public Speaking Web SitePublic Speaking Web Site

Keys to Success:Keys to Success:Be SelectiveBe Selective

How to be selective?How to be selective?

If you focus on the details first, If you focus on the details first, you will get lost. you will get lost.

Grouping the details under Grouping the details under general ideas will help you to general ideas will help you to remember them. remember them.

It’s Like Putting a Puzzle TogetherIt’s Like Putting a Puzzle Together

What does the What does the picture look like?picture look like?

Then put the Then put the pieces togetherpieces together

To Be SelectiveTo Be Selective

Start with the general ideaStart with the general idea Then focus on the detailsThen focus on the details

The Essence of Genius is The Essence of Genius is Knowing What to Overlook.Knowing What to Overlook.

William James

To Get the General Idea:To Get the General Idea:

Survey the chapterSurvey the chapter Listen for the main points in the lectureListen for the main points in the lecture Mark 20% of the textMark 20% of the text In your personal life, focus on your In your personal life, focus on your

priorities priorities