NOTE TAKING

How to get the most out of lectures:

BEFORE:
 Get a feel for the subject. Read (or flick) through a book on the subject of the
lecture. Look for themes, issues, topics and headings. Look up any technical
words you don’t understand.
 Write down questions that you want answered during the lecture. Leave
space to fill in the answers either during or after a lecture
 Glance through your notes from the previous lecture to look for links.
 Prepare all your writing materials: paper, pens of different colours and
highlighters.

DURING:
 To focus attention, listen for clues as to the way the lecture is going. For
example: ‘there are 5 main categories of…’
 ‘Now I want to look at’, ‘Why did this happen?’
 Good lecturers will tell you at the beginning what they will cover and in what
order
 Avoid writing details that you can later get from a textbook. Keep your
attention on listening.
In your head, keep asking questions as the lecturer goes along: this will help
to focus your attention. Ask: ‘Is this always the case?’ ‘How representative
is this?’ ‘Why is this?’ and ‘Do I agree?’
 Indicate new questions raised in different colours.

AFTER:
 Label and file your lecture notes and any handouts
 Read through your notes. Fill in details from your reading or research.
 Discuss the lecture with others. Compare your notes and fill in any gaps.

What is the importance of notes?

Notes are useful in many ways. These include:

 Being a useful record of important points and events that have occurred
 Helping planning of work and helping ideas to flow
 Helping understanding of the main points and helping think through
problems
 Helping to sum up main ideas
 Helping revision through organisation

Importance of Notes

1. Prevents forgetting:
Our memory fades quickly. For most students, forgetting occurs very rapidly after
listening to a lecture, or reading over informational material even if the material is
engaging and interesting. After lectures, for example, research shows that we forget
50% of what we hear within an hour and more than 70% within two days.
2. Encourages concentration:
Taking effective notes requires a student to be mentally active during a lecture or
while reading. One has to pay attention, interact with information, make decisions
about what to record, and write. Given that the mind is occupied with a demanding
task, there is less opportunity for the mind to wander.

3. Records testable material:

Instructors generally expect students to remember and apply facts and ideas
presented in lecture or in texts. Tests are based on key ideas teachers emphasize in
their lectures and/or written material that supports key concepts or themes, in other
words, the testable material.

Methods of note taking:

i. Spidergram
Description: The spidergram is a non-linear way of organising notes. They are a
diagrammatic way of presenting notes. There is a potential for a substantial amount
of information to be presented in a small area. They typically feature key words and
phrases.

How to use: The central topic is placed in the centre of the page and the main ideas
relating to it are placed on branches that directly connect to the central topic. You
can add further information on main ideas and you can add colour and doodles to
accent your work. You can also link between different sections using arrows or
asterisks.

ii. Other Graphic methods

Graphic or diagrammatic methods involve annotating diagrams of well known
objects.

How to use: Draw the graphic representation of the topic being taught, and take the
notes on the diagram, which may be a map, a plant cell. During class, take notes in
the area on the right. If using a diagram f\of an object, when a new point is made,
draw an arrow to the part of the diagram being described and label it with the
information given by the speaker.

For processes, flow charts may be used, and tree diagrams for classifications.

iii. Cornell
Description: The Cornell system is a way of providing a systematic format for
condensing and organising notes easily.

How to use:
1) Prepare your notepaper by creating a two-column table. The left hand column
should take up about 1/3 of your writing space, leaving the remaining 2/3 for
recording information. Use only one side of each sheet of notepaper.
2) Summarize and paraphrase (restate in your own words) the facts and ideas
presented. Record definitions as stated or written.
3) Indicate changes in topic with headings or by leaving a space between topics
4) Number, indent, or bullet key ideas presented with each topic.
5) Aim for telegraphic (brief) sentences, abbreviations, and symbols. This will
increase your note taking speed.
6) Write legibly so your notes make sense to you later.
7) Edit as soon as possible.

During your revision period (no later than 24 hours after your lecture
Formulate test questions based on the information recorded in notes and write them
in the recall clues column on the left-hand side of notes. Questions should focus on
specific definitions and “big ideas”. To revise cover up the right hand sides and say
the recall clue out loud. Recall as much of the information on the right as possible. If
you can remember what is on the right you know it. This system is a quick and easy
way of getting good notes first time round.

iv. Outlining
How to use: Information starts on the left with each different group of facts indented
with spaces. Relationships between parts are carried out through indenting. No
letters, numbers or roman numerals are needed. Place major points farthest to the left
with other parts indented to the right.

v. Charting
How to use: Useful when the lecture is distinct. You can set up your paper by
drawing columns and labelling appropriate headings in a table. Set up your paper in
distinct columns, record information (words, phrases, main ideas) into the
appropriate category

For example, in history:

Events Period Important Significance

people
Bring back our girls April Obiageli coordination of national &
campaign 2014 to Ezekwesili international action to free
date kidnapped Chibok girls

Charts may also be used to highlight comparison and contrasts.

For example, in biology:

Characteristic Plant cell Animal cell

definite shape yes no
chloroplasts present yes no
cell wall present yes no
cell membrane yes yes
food storage as starch as glycogen
Short cuts/tips

i. Use Abbreviations:

Also specific abbreviations may be available for words you encounter on your course
and personal abbreviations if understood can greatly enhance learning.

ii. Colour

Other tips include using different colours in your notes. Colour can aid learning, as it
will make things more memorable.

Organising notes

Options include:
 Loose-leaf folder – easy to subdivide, reorganise and add to
 Ringer binder – as above but more secure
 Filling cards – good for headings, very useful in revision
 Notebook – secure and easy to carry, but not very flexible in use
 Computer – very useful to keep backup items