Campus de Humanidades — El Milán

UNIVERSIDAD DE OVIEDO Calle Teniente Alfonso Martínez s/n

DEPARTAMENTO DE FILOLOGÍA INGLESA, FRANCESA Y ALEMANA
33011 OVIEDO — ASTURIAS

UNIVERSIDAD DE OVIEDO - GRADO EN ESTUDIOS INGLESES - ADVANCED ACADEMIC ENGLISH

REPORTING ON A LECTURE

1.- BEFORE THE LECTURE

1) Read the title and do some quick brainstorming as to what
the lecture may be about, what its thesis may be, etc.
2) If available, read the abstract to confirm or modify the
deductions you made from the title.
3) If possible, do some basic preliminary research about the lecturer (academic profile,
previous work, relevant contributions or debates, etc.) and the lecture’s content (key
concepts mentioned in the title and/or abstract, literature used or revised, etc.)
4) If you are familiar with the subject or you have done some significant research, write down
a short list of questions you expect will be answered in the lecture. If they are not, you
may ask the lecturer at the end.
5) Try to keep a special notebook for lectures or use an electronic device to take your notes.
Casual, separate sheets have an annoying tendency to get lost and take your work and
valuable thoughts with them. If you prefer that, try to number and reference them
adequately.

2.- DURING THE LECTURE

1) If possible, choose a seat where you can hear and see comfortably in order to make the
most of your time and effort at attending the lecture.
2) Listen to the opening presentation of the lecturer’s intent and note down the main points
he or she aims to deal with as a way to organise your own notes.
3) Listen for keywords, key points or major statements and summarise them clearly and
economically.
4) If specially interesting, copy diagrams or describe visuals briefly.
5) Note down the names of authors or sources mentioned. They are likely to make good
starting points for follow-up work.
6) As you go along with your note-taking, write down any
significant question or doubt that comes to your mind from
the lecturer’s argument.
7) Pay special attention when the lecturer warns he or she
isabout to conclude and check that you have noted down all
the main points covered.
8) Take note of any suggestion the lecturer makes for further
speculation or research on the topic.
9) Go quickly —though thoughtfully— through your list of questions or doubts and do not
be shy to pose any meaningful one to the lecturer. Make your questions as clear and brief

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 Campus de Humanidades — El Milán
UNIVERSIDAD DE OVIEDO Calle Teniente Alfonso Martínez s/n
DEPARTAMENTO DE FILOLOGÍA INGLESA, FRANCESA Y ALEMANA
33011 OVIEDO — ASTURIAS

UNIVERSIDAD DE OVIEDO - GRADO EN ESTUDIOS INGLESES - ADVANCED ACADEMIC ENGLISH

as possible.
10) If your question or doubt is too specific, or if you haven’t been able to make it, it is often
possible to approach the lecturer at the end. Also many lecturers give their audience a
contact address so that they can send their questions or feedback.

3.- AFTER THE LECTURE

1) If possible do not rush away after the lecture, but try to exchange first impressions with
colleagues and fellow attendants so as to seek their reactions. They are often helpful to
reinforce or revise our own views.
2) Spell check and revise your notes as soon possible after the
lecture so that you can complete them before you forget its
contents.
3) Make sure you got correct author names, book titles, or any
other relevant reference.
4) Write a BRIEF and “USABLE” report on the lecture that
includes:
4.1. Lecture title, lecturer’s name, date and place.
4.2. Clear statement of the lecture’s thesis.
4.3. Relevant literature mentioned.
4.4 Brief summary of the main points, including significant examples or supporting
references.
4.5 Clear statement of the lecture’s main conclusions and suggestions for further research or
analysis.
4.6. A set of follow-up questions or ideas for further exploration.
4.7. A brief and thoughtful personal critique of the lecture. You may also want to include
here some comment on the lecturer’s performance.
5) Exchange the views and ideas contained in your report with those of one or several
colleagues. You don’t need to change your report if you don’t want to, but you may find
information to fill your gaps, answers to questions, ideas for further discussion or for
future papers, etc.
6) Keep a copy of your final report for future use. If you use an app (such as Evernote) make
sure you choose your tags efficiently for later retrieval.

COURSE TASK
Attend at least ONE of the lectures that are regularly delivered on campus and write a report
summary (that may include your comments and criticism) of ±350 words to be submitted for
comments from your instructor(s) via the virtual campus platform.

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