Learning Lists for Science 6
How to make notes

Abstract

© Dr M D Magee
Contents Updated: Monday, 05 January 2004

Mostly, as a student, you will be taking notes to revise for exams from a book, in lectures or in the lab, but later you will be taking notes in your work or research, so it is an important skill.

A. Value of Notes

1. Keeps you active and concentrating
2. Provides a written record for revision.

B. Storing Notes

1. Loose leaf binder
   • Notes can be re-arranged
   • Notes can be added to
   • Keep notes on one topic together.
2. Notebooks
   • Suitable for rough, “working” notes: must re-write
   • Less flexible for permanent notes.

C. Writing Notes

1. Include:
   • Main ideas and important details
   • Logical plan of argument
2. Make notes after reading—not while reading:
   • Use your own words
   • Note only essentials
   • Understand, don’t copy.
3. Use outline form (NOT summary)
   • Note the original headings and sub-headings
   • Note central idea of each paragraph
   • Important details (in brackets)
   • Use indentations (about an inch)
   • Use letters and numbers to signify iniportance
     • I, II, III…
     • A, B, C, D…
     • 1, 2, 3, 4…
     • a, b, c, d…
     • i, ii, iii, iv…
     • bullets, dashes, asterisks…
   • Use your own shorthand (especially in lectures)
     • long words often used
     • certain types of ending
     • common abbreviations eg ie, cf, NB, =, < ,> etc
     • stick to your system
     • don’t use in work presented to others.
   • Layout
     • Should be pictorial & form a visual pattern—look memorable
     • Do not make into identical blocks of writing—not memorable
     • well spaced—room for insertions
     • wide margins—room for marginal notes
     • source and date at top
     • block capitals and underlines
     • boxes for important items
     • colour,
     • diagrams
     • arrows and symbols
     • Make each page into a picture—creativity, visualization.
   • Use pencil for initial notes.
     • flexibility
     • can be erased.

D. Lecture Notes

1. Understanding more important than note-taking
   • Follow lecturer’s argument—listen
   • Get the gist then make a note
   • Use creative pattern technique.
2. Check notes after lecture:
   • Re-construct lecture (recall—promotes learning)
   • Without recall…
     • 50% is lost immediately
     • 75% lost within one week
     • 98% lost within three weeks.
   • Correct notes—add, give depth and shape
   • Immensely beneficial—discipline—must do.
3. Points missed
   • Discuss with colleagues
   • Ask tutor—Important!

E. Checklist for Notes

1. General format:
   • Is your notebook too small?
   • Are your pages too crowded?
   • Is your handwriting legible?
   • Do you mix different subjects in the same notebook?
2. Structure:
   • Have you indicated the source and the date?
   • Do you write too much solid prose?
   • Is your layout interesting?
3. Content and Phrasing:
   • Have you got all the main ideas?
   • Are your notes too detailed?
   • Are there any obscure passages?
   • Are the notes in your own words?

Reference

• D Rowntree, How to Study, chapter 6

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