Note-taking

Source: https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/university-essentials/study-essentials/note-taking/ Parent: https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/university-essentials/study-essentials/

Note-taking is an active process that helps you to concentrate and listen effectively. Good notes are structured, so they can be used for revision, assignment writing and exam preparation. In this section, you'll learn how to take notes that will enhance your studies.

Have a clear purpose

Before you start taking notes, think about:

• Identifying the purpose of your note-taking. Are you trying to gain a basic understanding of a topic or are you reading in detail for an assignment?
• Using efficient reading strategies to gain a general understanding of the topic.
• Skimming the text to identify relevant information (find out more at Reading skills).

Features of good notes

Efficient and effective notes:

• are organised into key ideas and supporting ideas
• use bullet points
• use visual techniques, e.g. highlighting, graphics, colours, and underlining to identify main points
• use abbreviations and symbols to show connections between ideas.

• Set a wide margin for key points and page numbers.
• Head the page with topic, date and record all bibliographic details, i.e. author, title, page no, publisher.
• Record your own thoughts in another colour.

Example

Transcript

• Create a row across: [title: Note taking for revision] write a short description including: Authors name, date, title.
• Create a side column 1/4 of the grids width: Use this area to note the page number, and write key words/points
• Remaining 3/4 of the grids space: Expand on key points noted from the side column.

Using abbreviations

Abbreviations are useful because they:

• save time
• connect key points.

Use standard abbreviations and develop your own. Shortening commonly used words is also a way to save time when note-taking.

Common abbreviations

Changing text to key points

Look at the following paragraph, which has key and minor points identified.\

Screen reader users, this text uses visual highlights to indicate different features of the text. Each highlight is explained for your convenience.

There is a limit to the amount of information that can be transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory. Only 5-7 pieces of information can be remembered at one timeScreen reader users, this is a minor point.. This limited capacityScreen reader users, this is a key point. of the long-term memory to absorb information to be stored is known as the bottleneck problemScreen reader users, this is a key point.. In practical terms this means for example, that after reading a chapter of a text book, only 5-7 pieces of information can be effectively remembered and everything else will be forgotten. ChunkingScreen reader users, this is a key point. is a very useful technique for getting around the bottleneck problem. This means organising many smaller bits of information into fewer, larger bits.Screen reader users, this is a minor point. In other words, think of one complete wall instead of thinking 200 bricksScreen reader users, this is a minor point.. Therefore, it is essential to develop strategies for organising the informationScreen reader users, this is a minor point. in a way that will make it easier for the brain to cope with.

Now, look at how the information has been organised into key points and minor points.

Transcript

Key points

Bottleneck problem = limited memory capacity

Minor points

• Only 5-7 info at once: all else goes!
• Need strategies to organise info

How to remember -> chunking.\ Organise small bits to larger bits = one wall not 200 bricks!

Images on this page by RMIT, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0

Keywords

• Note-taking
• Study skills

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