What is Note-Taking?

Note-taking is, simply, a way of concisely recording important information so that

you can recall it later. 

Regardless of how good you think your memory is - you will need to take notes in
certain situations to remind yourself what was said.  It is a mistake to think, when
going to a meeting or attending a lecture or some other important talk, that you will
remember the details of what has been said - you won’t.  You may well remember the
overall topic of the discussion, even some very specific details, but you won’t
remember everything.

General Note-Taking Guidelines:

 Before you start taking any notes be clear about why you are attending the talk or
meeting.  What are you hoping to learn or gain from it?  Think of your notes as a guide to your
learning and development after the event. You notes form part of a working document that you’ll
return to and add to later.
 Think about whether or not a point is noteworthy before you write it down – do not
take notes for the sake of taking notes. Otherwise you’ll end up with lots of irrelevant points,
which will distract you from the important things. You probably only really need to make notes
on things that are new to you.
 Do not write down everything that is said, word-for-word, that would be
transcribing, which is an altogether different skill.  Concentrate on the key points, remain
alert and attentive and listen to what is being said.
 Write in your own style and use your own words, you don’t need to worry too much
about spelling, grammar, punctuation or neatness as long as you can read your notes later and
they make sense to you.  Your personal note-writing system will evolve and improve with
practice.
 Try to use short concise points, single words or phrases or short sentences, use
bullet or numbered lists if necessary.  If you are using a pen and paper then it is easy to add
linking lines to join ideas and concepts.
 Write down in full, key information that can’t be shortened: names, contact details, dates,
URL’s, references, book titles, formulas etc.
 Use abbreviations to help you – just note what they mean!
 Use underlining, indentation, circle words or phrases, use highlighter pens –
whatever system works for you to emphasis the most important points and add some structure
to your notes.
 Use some sort of shorthand system that you will understand later – develop this
system as you become more skilled at note-taking.
 Don’t panic if you miss something.  You can usually ask the speaker to repeat a point
or ask a colleague or peer after the event.  Note down that you have missed something to
remind you to do this.
Once the event has finished:

 As soon as possible, after the event, you should review and, where necessary,
rework your notes. Fill in any gaps, adding content and further research to your notes.  If your
notes are handwritten you may want to type them into a computer. The more you interact with
your notes the more you will remember and ultimately learn.
 If possible share and/or compare your notes with a colleague or peer.  Discuss
your understandings and fill in any gaps together.

Benefits of Notetaking?

 Taking Effective Notes

 Benefits of Notetaking?
 Where does notetaking start?
 What Are Notetaking Systems?
 Notetaking Strategies: Before, During, and After Class
 How well do you listen and take notes now?
 Conclusion
Back to Top

Notetaking provides several benefits beyond that record of what was presented in a
lecture or class activity. Effective notetaking:

 Keeps you alert. Notetaking keeps your body active and involved and helps you avoid

feelings of drowsiness or distraction.

 Engages your mind. Listening carefully and deciding what to include in notes keeps your

mind actively involved with what you hear.

 Emphasizes and organizes information. As you take notes, you’ll decide on and highlight

the key ideas you hear, identifying the structure of a class presentation. You’ll also be able to

indicate the supporting points of a presentation, making study and understanding easier after

class. Such organized notes also make it easier for you to link classroom learning to textbook

readings.
 Creates a condensed record for study. A set of concise, well-organized notes from each

class session gives you what you need for study, learning, and review after class.

1. The Outline Method

This method is used for simplicity and is one of the easiest methods of taking notes.
Anyone can pick up this method and use it with no issues.

When using this method, the idea is to select four or five key points that are going
to be covered in a specific lesson. Under those key points, you write more in-depth
sub-points based on what is being discussed on those topics.

The idea with this form of note taking is so it doesn’t overwhelm you. But you’ll pay
attention in a different manner. In the case of this approach, if you know what’s being
discussed, you’ll focus on the important aspects of that topic rather than wonder what’s
coming up next.

Use this method in cases where:

 You want your notes to be organized from the start.

 To see the relationships between both topics and subtopics.
 You want to convert the points into questions to quiz yourself on later.

2. The Cornell Method

Developed in the 1950s by Cornell University, this is the most common note taking
method around. In fact, the outline method is likely inspired by this method as there are
similarities to it.

In this method, you are still using key points, but this method goes deeper into the
organizing method. For one, the page is broken into three sections:

 a narrow column called the “cue”

 a wider column for your actual notes
 a summary at the bottom

The cue section is the section where you fill out main points, people, potential test
questions and more. This section is devoted to helping you recall larger topics and ideas.
The note section is devoted to expanding and explaining those cue points. You still want
to summarize them to an extent using headings. When getting into specifics, you want to
indent them and use a numbering system, either roman numerals, numbers, or letters.

The summary section is the section you write up at the end summarizing all of the
information in a clear sentence or two. You want both the summary and the cue to be
simple seeing as your notes are where you want all of the details.

Here’s an example illustrated by Comprehension Hart:[3]

This method is great if you:

 Want notes to be organized even further and easier to review.

 Want to pull out major ideas and concepts quickly.

3. Mind Mapping Method

Mind mapping is a method that works for subjects that have interlocking topics or
complex and abstract ideas. Chemistry, history, and philosophy are examples where this
method shines.
The use of the map is to serve as a visual aid for how every topic is related to one
another. It also allows you to go into detail on particular ideas or topics. An example of
this at work is looking at the French Revolution.

First, you’d start with that concept at the center and then begin branching off that led to
events, and people that sparked the French Revolution.

You can start off with broad general ideas and during the course or when you are
reviewing, you can add in sub-concepts to those branches. Things like dates,
support facts, concepts that you see between people and events.

That being said, this method doesn’t apply to  only those kinds of topics. Any kind of
topic that you can break into various points can also help as well. Another example can
be talking about different forms of learning and using the nodes to discuss each method
and what each one is like.

Learn more about this method here: How to Mind Map: Visualize Your Cluttered
Thoughts in 3 Simple Steps

This type of method for note taking is great for:

 Visual learners who struggle with studying via notes.

 For people who need to remember and connect relationships, and events with topics.

4. Flow Notes Method

Discussed in a post in College Info Geek,[4] this method is for those who want to
maximize active learning in the classroom and save time in reviewing.

The idea of flow notes is to treat yourself as a student rather than transcribing word for
word. In this method, you’ll jot down topics, then start drawing arrows, make
doodles, diagrams and graphs to get a general idea out there.

This method also helps in drawing other bridges and form connections in various fields
or within the subject. If some information reminds you of another piece of information
or technique, make a note and jot it down.

Take a look at this video to learn a bit more about this method:
The only catch with this method is that while it’s great for learning at that moment, you
may have a tough time reviewing them later. You may want to pair this method with
another method mentioned above.

5. The Sentence Method

Another simple method and is a lesser version of flow notes. The idea with this is a
simple note-taking. You’re jotting down everything that’s being said to the best
of your ability. It’s genuine transcription at it’s finest.

The problem with this method is that it can be tough to keep up with everything else
that’s happening. If you’re writing notes by hand, you will definitely be missing key
points and ideas. On a computer, you may be able to keep up, however, you may face
challenges still.

Despite those problems, there are still advantages to this method. Compared to every
other method, this provides the most details and information for review:

 You can still be brief by covering the main points.

 Your notes are already simplified for you to study and review them immediately.
6. Charting Method

Charting notes take the Cornell method and divide a sheet into three columns. Similar to
the mind mapping method, this helps you in connecting relationships and facts together
between topics.

This method is a lazier method than the other ones mentioned above but works for the
people who want to highlight key pieces of information on various topics and
want to organize facts for easy review.

7. Writing on Slides

The final method is another strategy for people who can’t be bothered to take extensive
notes. This method works well particularly in classes where the instructor provides
slides that they’re using for their lectures.

Whether it’s a handout or you can download them online, all you need to do is print
them off and start writing away on them.

This method is great because it removes a lot of the worry of taking general notes. Since
ideas and concepts are already discussed, it’s a matter of expanding those notes already.