210 likes | 333 Views
I. What to Take Notes on and How to Do It. From What Smart Students Know by Adam Robinson Note taking methods from www. englishcompanion.com. 1. What to take notes on. The 80-20 Rule 80% of the total importance of any group of items comes from only 20% of those items.
E N D
I. What to Take Notes on and How to Do It From What Smart Students Know by Adam Robinson Note taking methods from www.englishcompanion.com
1. What to take notes on • The 80-20 Rule 80% of the total importance of any group of items comes from only 20% of those items. • Not everything you read is of equal importance
For Example (Don’t Copy) • If you’re assigned to read 50 pgs. in a textbook this week, 80% of the important facts and ideas are going to be found in only 20% (10 pgs.). The other 40 pgs. contain stuff that’s less important. • That’s what outlines and study guides do: separate the important 20% from the 80%.
The lesson: • Trying to digest & understand all info in a txtbook or lecture =a waste of time. • Need to tell the difference between: a. which info to focus on b. which info to skim c. which info to skip
The Focus Stuff is: • Any facts/questions you need to answer • Your thoughts, questions, and reactions • Terms, definitions, main ideas, dates, formulas • Anything the teacher repeats or reiterates • What’s going to be on a test
How/where to find the important stuff • The beginning and end of each book, chapter, section, paragraph, lecture • Anything in bold or italics • The gist of any chart or diagram • The chapter summary • Anything on the board • Anything the teacher repeats or stresses
2. How to Take Notes • Use your own words Use as many of your own words as possible. • Use as few words as possible Notes should consist of short sentences or key terms only. • Copy Titles & Headings • Omit descriptions and full explanations
How to Take Notes, contd. • Using a binder will allow you to order your notes easily • Don’t rely on someone else’s notes. You learn best by taking your own. • Date and number notes • Keep all notes per class separated • Use your own shorthand
Taking notes on reading • Find what’s important/DO NOT COPY VERBATIM • Turn away frm txt & try 2 take notes frm memory (peeking is ok) • Translate diagrams, graphs, tables, charts into words • Print rather than use script (illegible notes r worthless) • Use loose paper, date & # them, & wrte pgs they refer 2 from txt
Taking Classroom Notes • Same as notes for txtbk, but also • Lstn. 1st, then write only most important pts. • Fall behind? Leave blnk space & get later. DON’T STOP. • Don’t 4get margin notes, underlining, or highltng • Write annotations in margins
Some Note Taking Methods • Cornell Method • Divide paper into 2 vertical columns (left column is smaller) • On top of each paper, write: title of notes, date, pg. # • Right side (notes): main ideas (own words; no complete sentences; skip line in between)
4. Asap after class, label key concepts in left side (recall), next to where it appears on right 5. At bottom of page, summarize info in paragraph form www.muskingum.edu
2 Column • Divide paper into 2 vert. columns • Record all key words, ideas, people, or events in the left-hand column. (Information in this column must be very brief .) • For each key word or idea, record the corresponding description or explanation next to it in the right-hand column www.muskingum.edu
Episodic Notes Choose DISTINCT moments, then explain what’s happening and why it’s important
Q notes • http://www.englishcompanion.com/pdfDocs/q-notes.pdf
T notes • Compare and contrast, cause and effect
Timeline • Put the date on the line, and a brief explanation of event in the gray.
In Review: What to Include in Notes • Dates, page numbers • Titles and subtitles • Your own words in short phrases or sentences • Anything on the board (apart from notes) • Anything the teacher repeats or stresses • Anything in bold or italics • Important names or events • Terms, Definitions, Formulas • Margin notes, underlining, or highlighting • Only most important parts/Remember, 80-20
What NOT to do or put in notes • Notes word for word • Lengthy descriptions and full explanations • Script writing • Un-translated graphs, charts, diagrams • Start writing w/o listening first • Rely on someone else for notes • Allow notes to become separated • Write on backs of pages