Note Taking and Note Making

Note Taking

Note taking is the act of writing down the information in a systematic way. It is the first stage of producing an effective note and is the process which involves writing or recording what you hear, see or read during Lectures, Tutorials, Webinar and Seminar in a descriptive way

Note taking can be defined as "It is a process that involves writing or recording what you hear in a descriptive way. This is the first stage of the process of producing effective notes."

Note-making is an advanced process that involves reviewing, synthesizing, connecting ideas from the lecture or reading and presenting the information in a readable, creative way that will stick in your mind”

Method of Note taking

For the taking note listener should divide the paper in two columns. The first column is used to enter key or cue words while the second is the notes column (for recording ideas and facts). There are six steps of note-taking:

·         Record: During the lecture, record as many facts and ideas as possible in the notes column.

·         Reduce: After the lecture, read through the notes taken and reduce to key words and phrases, or questions. The key words and phrases are used as cues to help recall the ideas and facts. The questions are to add clarity to the facts and ideas.

·         Recite: Using only the key words, phrases and questions in the cue word column recite the ideas and facts in the notes column. It is important that you are not just mechanically repeating, but using your own words.

·         Reflect: Based on the facts and ideas learnt, reflect upon how this fits in with what you already know, and how this knowledge can be applied.

·         Review: On a frequent basis, review your past notes by reciting and reflecting upon them.

·         Recapitulate: After you have reduced, recited and reflected upon your note, you should recapitulate each main idea using complete sentences at the bottom of the key word column.