What Is This Module About?

By now, you must have selected the course you wish to take in college as well as the college
or university you wish to attend. In a few weeks, school will already start. Before it does, it would
be best for you to develop your skill in taking notes. You need this skill to learn effectively and to
help you prepare for examinations. It will help you get good grades.
Many students who enter college are not prepared to take notes from lectures. Some have
not developed the important skill of listening. Others can’t summarize the important points in a
lecture. Still others don’t know how to organize their notes so that they will be useful in preparing
for tests or examinations. Many just don’t care about taking notes. They rely on their classmates
to lend them their notes. These are the students who are likely to fail or get low grades.
My friend, this module will help you sharpen your note-taking skills, which will provide you
with one of the most important instruments you’ll use most of the time in college. Spend a little
more time on this module than you did for the other modules and you will reap success in college.
This module is made up of three lessons:
Lesson 1 — What Is a Lecture?
Lesson 2 — Taking Notes During a Lecture
Lesson 3 — Connecting Your Notes With the Rest of the Course
Have your pen and notebook with you as you take note of the important points about to be
taken up in this module. You will also need a cassette player and the tape your Instructional
Manager will provide you.
Are you ready? Start now!

What Will You Learn From This Module?

After studying this module, you should be able to:

♦ tell why you have to attend lectures and talks and why you should take down notes;
♦ demonstrate active listening strategies;
♦ prepare a summary and an outline of a lecture;
♦ organize and file notes in such a way that they can be located easily when needed; and
♦ use notes properly.

1
 Let’s See What You Already Know

Before studying this module, take this simple test first to find out how much you already
know about the topics to be discussed.
A. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. A lecture is ____________________.
a. an informal discussion between the students and the instructor
b. a process in which a professor provides information through a verbal
interchange of ideas, particularly in the classroom
c. a listening activity in class
d. a writing activity in class
2. Which of the following is not one of the main purposes of lectures?
a. to focus on main points raised by the lecturer
b. to summarize the issues of the subject being taught
c. to give an introduction or overview of the subject
d. to present readings that are complex and not easily understood
3. Why is it important for a student to be present during lectures or classes?
a. because the student might miss an important lecture which could affect his/
her performance in the examinations
b. because the student might have wanted to participate in the lecture
c. because the student might want to evaluate the lecture
d. because the lecturer always checks the attendance
4. Which of the following is not a tip which can help you develop your note-taking
skills?
a. Become an active participant in a lecture.
b. Abbreviate. Create your own symbols for taking notes.
c. Copy your classmates’ notes if you miss some points.
d. Find a note-taking “buddy.”
5. How do you listen actively?
a. by preparing in advance
b. by sitting in the front row
c. by thinking about what the lecturer is saying and asking questions
d. all of the above

2
 B. Listen to Tape Segment # 1, Side A, Pretest. While listening, write an outline in the
space below to test your listening skills.

Well, how was it? Do you think you fared well? Compare your answers with those in the
Answer Key on page 37 to find out.
If all your answers are correct, very good! This shows that you already know much about
the topics in this module. You may still study the module to review what you already know. Who
knows, you might learn a few more new things as well.
If you got a low score, don’t feel bad. This means that this module is for you. It will help you
understand some important concepts that you can apply in your daily life. If you study this module
carefully, you will learn the answers to all the items in the test and a lot more! Are you ready?
You may now go to the next page to begin Lesson 1.

3
 LESSON 1

What Is a Lecture?

It’s your first day in school. Your professor goes on and on a wealth of information you will
need for your exams and quizzes. Unfortunately, you weren’t able to jot down notes on the
lecture he gave. When the examination period comes, you don’t know what to review. You then
end up barely passing the test or even flunking it.
This lesson will help you understand and appreciate lectures and talks and the role they play
in your education. It will also help you become an active listener. These skills will not only help
you survive college, they will also help you obtain better grades you and your parents can be
proud of.
After studying this lesson, you should be able to:
♦ define what a lecture is;
♦ discuss why a lecture is important;
♦ enumerate the four main purposes of a lecture; and
♦ describe what active listening is.

Let’s Listen to This

What is a lecture? Find out what a lecture is by listening to Tape Segment # 2, Side A, Mrs.
Monsanto Gives a Lecture. Listen intently as Mrs. Monsanto conducts a lecture on what topic
to choose for the students’ research paper.

Let’s Review

Answer the questions below.

1. What did Mrs. Monsanto do in class?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. What do you think a lecture is?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think a lecture is important?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

4
 4. Did Mrs. Monsanto conduct her lecture properly? Why/Why not?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 37. How well did you do?

Let’s Try This

Mrs. Monsanto’s way of giving lectures draws out the participation of her students. Did you
observe how Mrs. Monsanto gave a lecture? Did you also notice how the students took down
notes even without their instructor telling them to do so?
There are four main purposes of lectures. Look at the pictures on this page and the
following page. Encircle the letter of the statement under each picture that states what a lecture is
for.

a. To give an introduction or overview b. To present a material that is complex,

of the subject. abstract or very detailed.

c. To show you the main points you d. To summarize the issues which are likely
should be concentrating on. to be the subject of debate in the subject.

5
 e. To introduce some of the areas you f. To present contents of the topic which
are likely to be confused about. deal with attitudes and feelings or
communication, interpersonal or group
skills.
Do you think Mrs. Monsanto achieved the purposes of a lecture? Let us see if your answers
are correct. Compare them with those in the Answer Key on page 38.

Let’s Review

Look at the given pictures then answer the questions that follow.

1. Enumerate the things that Larry is doing.

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Why is each important when a teacher is giving a lecture?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 38.

6
 Let’s Learn

Here are some important things you should know about lectures:
♦ A lecture is a process by which the professor’s notes become the students’ notes
through a discourse or verbal interchange of ideas in the classroom. It is the most
frequently used method of imparting knowledge to the students in college classrooms.
The instructor varies the presentation of the lecture depending on the needs of the
learners.
♦ There are four main purposes of lectures. These are the reasons why college students
attend lectures and talks. They tell why the lecturer stands in front of the students
talking about things that they could just as easily read in books. Here are the purposes
of lectures:
1. Introduction or overview — The lecturer gives an introduction or overview of
the subject. Many lecturers use their lectures to highlight the major areas that they
will be focusing on in their course. More often, these lectures will contain
references in the field. As a student, you should take note of these experts’ names
and the books or journal articles that are mentioned.
2. Summarize the issues — The lecturer summarizes the issues which are likely to
be the subject of debates in the subject. It could be said that knowledge of the
central issues of a subject is knowledge of the subject itself.
3. Introduction of confusing aspects of the subject — The lecturer introduces
some of the areas that are likely to confuse you. The lecturer knows that certain
aspects of the subject will be more confusing than others. Lecturers often clarify
these expected confusions, so that the readings assigned are clear to you.
4. Focusing on main points — Before the exams, the lecturer cites the main points
you should be concentrating on. Take note of them carefully.
♦ It is important that you don’t skip any lecture, whether at the beginning, in the middle,
at the end or particularly near the date of an examination. If you do, you might miss
important lectures which could affect your performance in an examination.
Being present during lectures and talks helps you become prepared as a student. But
being able to take down notes in them successfully is even more essential. It makes
you ready to take any examination, whether oral or written any time.

Let’s Think About This

What would happen if you don’t listen to your instructor’s lectures? Will you be able to note
down all the important details of the lecture if you don’t listen? Will you be able to answer a
surprise quiz the moment your lecturer announces it? Let’s see what happens when you don’t
listen to your lecturer while he/she is conducting a lecture.

7
 Let’s Listen to This

Listening is a skill that requires full involvement of the mind. In the classroom, your mind
must participate fully in listening for key words and important ideas.
From the activity below, you will know how good you are at listening. Get ready with your
notepad or notebook and ball pen or pencil. Listen once to Tape Segment # 3, Side A,
EcoWatch. After listening, answer the questions below to test your listening skills.
1. What is the beautiful underwater world called?
_________________________________________________________________
2. What underwater creature was said to have been speared by a cerebrally challenged
diver?
_________________________________________________________________
3. What brought about the damage to the featured underwater world?
_________________________________________________________________
4. Who are the writers of the book?
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 38. Were you able to
answer all the given questions? If you were, then you are an active listener. If you were not, you
must learn to focus more so that you will not only hear what your lecturer is saying but understand
what he or she is talking about as well. Then you will be able to participate actively in any
discussion.

Let’s Think About This

What does taking notes require? Will you still be able to concentrate on a lecture while
taking notes? Why is listening important during a lecture?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Active listening is required in taking notes. You can be prepared for a lecture by showing up
in class early. You should have reviewed the course assignments and checked the topic for the
day in your syllabus or course outline as well. Active listening means being alert for key ideas,
important points and verbal cues or leads.
You should listen, think and write to be actively involved in a lecture. Focus your attention
on what is being said. Listen carefully to the every point made so you can write them down.

8
 Let’s Review

This is Mr. Concepcion’s classroom. Study the picture below, then answer the questions on
the next page.

1. Identify the students who are not behaving properly during the lecture.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Describe the things that students should be doing when an instructor is giving a lecture.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 38.

9
 Let’s See What You Have Learned

Get ready with your pen and notepad. Listen to Tape Segment # 4, Side A, Philippine
Eagle and take notes. To test whether you listened to the lecture actively, answer the following
questions. Refer to your notes for your answers.
1. What is the complete name of the Philippine national bird?
_________________________________________________________________
2. Describe the Philippine eagle.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. Why is the Philippine eagle becoming extinct?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 38. Were you able to
answer all the questions? If you were, then you are an active listener. You were able to take notes
from the given lecture. But don’t be sad if you weren’t able to answer all the questions. It takes
practice to be able to take good notes. Practice taking notes when listening to or watching the
news.
Do you still want to improve your skills in note taking? Then proceed to the next lesson to
learn more about this.

10
Let’s Remember

♦ The four main purposes of a lecture are to:

1. introduce the subject;
2. summarize the issues;
3. clarify confusing matters about the subject; and
4. focus on main points.
♦ Become an active participant in the lecture. You can be an active listener by:
1. taking notes;
2. answering the professor’s questions; and
3. asking your own questions during lecture sessions.

11
 LESSON 2

Taking Notes During a Lecture

I read somewhere that, “Note-taking skills take practice. The more you do it, the better you
will become.” Do you believe this? I do.
In this lesson, you will learn how to take notes during lectures properly. It will also tell you
what to look out for when listening to a lecture.
After studying this lesson, you should be able to:
♦ acquire a technique that you can use in taking down notes; and
♦ become an active participant in a lecture.

Let’s Listen to This

Listen to Tape Segment # 1, Side B, Take Note of This! and learn to take down notes.

Let’s Study and Analyze

After listening to Tape Segment # 1, Side B, Take Note of This!, answer the following
questions briefly.
1. What kinds of phrases suggest you need to take down notes?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Why did Olga and Yolly borrow Nelly’s notes?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. Did they do the right thing? Why/Why not?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________

12
 4. Did Prof. Nuñez know about Olga and Yolly’s activity? Why do you say so?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 38. Did you listen carefully
to Professor Nuñez’s lecture? Were you able to answer all the given questions? If you were, very
good! That means you listened attentively. If you were not, do not be sad. Just continue reading
to learn more.
In the story, Professor Nuñez emphasizes the importance of taking notes. He said that taking
down notes is an effective way of learning. You should not rely on your memory alone. You can’t
be sure that you’ll remember what the lecturer said by the time you take a test. Taking notes can
help you get an accurate record of important information presented in class. It will aid you in
remembering important information. You can then review for upcoming quizzes and examinations.
Other phrases you need to watch out for when listening to lectures are:
1. those that indicate contrast such as however, but, unlike this and on the other
hand;
2. those that indicate cause and effect such as one reason, another cause is, one
result is, thus, therefore, this results in and another effect is;
3. those that indicate that a list will follow such as there are three reasons why, there
are ten tips on note taking, there are five classifications of and I’ll give you four
examples of; and
4. those that indicate solutions to a problem such as experts gave several possible
solutions, there are many ways by which we can solve this problem and some
solutions are.
Taking notes can help you save time. You won’t have to borrow other people’s notes or ask
your classmates again for the information you want to get. In the story, Olga and Yolly had to
photocopy the notes of Nelly because they did not listen attentively to their professor. They did
not take notes during the lecture. So, they got low scores in the test the day after.

13
 Let’s Learn

Ten Tips for Developing Your Note-Taking Skills Further

In order to develop your note-taking skills further, read the following tips on how to take
notes from lectures and talks.
1. Don’t rely on your memory alone. Paying careful attention to lectures is not enough
because we tend to forget rapidly. With four to eight weeks between exams, taking
notes is a must.
2. Prepare before the lecture. Before attending the lecture, read the chapter assigned
by the instructor first. Understand how the given information are organized. Then
review the notes you took earlier so that you are well prepared to continue taking
notes. Do this for every subject you are taking.
3. Become an active participant in the lecture. This has been emphasized time and
again. These are the things you must do to be an active listener:
♦ take down notes;
♦ answer the professor’s questions; and
♦ ask your own questions during the lecture sessions.
4. Learn to listen and write at the same time. Here are some techniques to help you
in doing these things simultaneously:
♦ Concentrate on what the instructor is saying. Listen carefully and think about
what is being said. Think about what you would write if you were taking notes.
♦ This technique requires practice. Learn to pick out the main points or topics and
then write down the details. To practice the skills, try taking notes about the
evening news. The news provides an excellent means for note-taking practice
because it is set up like a group of short lectures.
The newscaster usually begins with the headline or topic of the news and then
follows this up with related details, facts and examples.

14
 Let’s Try This

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Why is it not enough to rely on your memory alone when listening to lectures?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Is it possible to listen and write at the same time? How can these things be done
simultaneously?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. What other preparations can you make before a lecture aside from those already
mentioned?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Were you able to answer all the questions above? Compare your answers with mine below.
A person (your instructor/professor) can pass on a considerable amount of information to
you during a lecture. If you are taking more than one class, you can just imagine how much
information you will need to remember. If you rely on your memory alone, there is a chance that
you will forget most of the information that has been passed on to you even if you paid careful
attention to the lectures.
It is possible to listen and write at the same time. All you have to do is focus on what the
professor is saying. Understand them very well. Think carefully on what you really want to write
about. Make an outline of what the professor talked about.
Not only should you read your previous notes, you must also do your assignments. You can
read in advance to be able to follow what the professor is saying. This way you will already have
an idea about what he or she is talking about.

15
 Let’s Listen to This

Listen to Tape Segment # 2, Side B, Tamaraw. After listening, read the outline I came up
with below. Observe my outline closely.

My Notes News Outline Name: EBB

Date: 03-06-01
Page #1
The Tamaraw
I. Mindoro known as “Land of the Tamaraws.”
A. In the early 1900s, close to 10000 tamaraws inhabited
Mindoro.
B. Now, tamaraws are listed as an endangered species.
II. A tamaraw is smaller than the common carabao.
What are the A. Its height is between five and six feet.
tamaraw’s
B. Its weight is almost 300 kilograms.
characteristics?
C. The tamaraw’s body is massive with strong, sturdy legs.
1. This enables the tamaraw to penetrate thick forests.
2. The tamaraw is able to climb steep mountains.
D. Its short, glossy fur can be dark brown to gray in color.
III. Several factors contribute to the decline of the population of tamaraws.
What factors A. Hunting of the animals have been intensified.
contribute to
B. The tamaraw’s natural environment has slowly been destroyed.
the decline of
the population C. The number of people settling in its surroundings has steadily
of tamaraws? increased.
IV. The tamaraw’s number has dwindled since.
A. From the original 10000 tamaraws in the 1900s, only 369 are left in
the 1980s.
B. Today, only about 20 heads can be counted.

Examine the given outline closely. The items marked by Roman numerals are called the
main topics. These are followed by the subtopics and the details of the subtopics. The
subtopics directly support the main topics while the details of the subtopics directly support
the subtopics.

16
 Let’s Try This

Listen to Tape Segment # 3, Side B, Environmental Problems. After listening to the

newscast, write an outline of it in the space provided below. You may listen to it again to check if
what you wrote is accurate.

Your Notes News Outline Name: _____________

Date: _____________
Page # _____________

Environmental Problems

Compare your work with the sample outline in the Answer Key on page 39.

17
 Let’s Learn

Here is another tip on note taking for you to remember and practice.
Abbreviate. To abbreviate is to shorten or condense the contents of a lecture to
keep up with your instructor. However, when using abbreviations, see to it that you won’t
need to rewrite your notes after the lecture.
Below are some abbreviations you can use when taking down notes. Choose about
five abbreviations to use this week. Increase the number every week until the use of these
abbreviations becomes automatic.

Word Abbreviation Word Abbreviation

hour hr inch ”
year yr foot ’
therefore ∴ month/s mo/s
equals = information info
not equal ≠ water H2O
with w/ square sq
without w/o company co
example ex number #
dollar $ amount amt
question q government gov’t
parallel || century C
perpendicular ⊥ similar to ≈
chapter ch first 1 st
second 2nd plus/also/and +
more than > less than <
period pd versus vs
and & page p
north N south S
east E west W
volume vol word wd
because bec especially esp
change ∆ it follows that ⊂
increasing ↑ decreasing ↓
resulting in → as a consequence ←
most importantly * compare/in comparison cf
kilometer km others etc
following ff subject/s subj/s

18
 Let’s Try This

I’m sure there are other abbreviations you can add to the given list and you can start using in
note taking. Write them down below. How about names of places and things?

Word Abbreviation Word Abbreviation

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 40.

Let’s Study and Analyze

Is it enough that you abbreviate words or create symbols on your own? Are there guidelines
for abbreviating and creating symbols? What do you think? How do you abbreviate or create
other symbols effectively so that you may be able to keep up with the lecturer?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
You can create other symbols or abbreviations based on your needs. There are five ways of
doing this effectively:
1. Eliminate or drop vowels. Here are two examples: “If u cn rd ths, u cn gt a gd jb.”—
If you can read this, you can get a good job. “U cn b a btr stdnt.”—You can be a
better student.
2. Use word beginnings. (rep for representative, con for congressperson, net for
network, ans for answer, rem for remember) and other easy-to-remember
abbreviations.
3. Stop putting periods at the end of abbreviations. This way, you will be able to
save time.

19
 4. Use standard symbols. (The abbreviations in the list are examples of these.)
5. Create your own symbols and abbreviations. You can do this based on your needs
and how comfortable the symbols are for your use.
Don’t you think it is fun to create your own symbols and abbreviations. Just be sure you can
read your notes when you review for a quiz or an examination.

Let’s Listen to This

Listen to Tape Segment # 4, Lecture Notes. As you listen, write down the passage you
hear using symbols and abbreviations in the space below.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Compare what you wrote with the answer in the Answer Key on page 40.

Let’s Learn

Here are some more useful tips in note taking.

1. Edit your notes within 24 hours. You can do this by:
♦ filling in the missing information using your textbook or comparing notes with a
classmate;
♦ correcting inaccuracies; and
♦ reorganizing your notes to make them meaningful.
2. Use a tape recorder with a counter. When you can’t keep up with the lecturer and
can’t avoid missing information, you can:
♦ Make a note of the location where the information occurred on the tape (by
looking at the number on the counter) in the margin or your notebook and leave
some space in your notes for missing text.
♦ Then, fill in the missing text in your notes using the tape.
3. Play the taped lectures while you commute. If your commuting time to and from
your school or workplace is long, play the taped lectures for your most difficult
subjects. This can help you improve your understanding of the material.

20
4. Find a note-taking “buddy.” Ask a classmate or friend to let you copy his or her
notes whenever you’re absent or you fail to attend a lecture. Communicate with each
other by phone, fax, mail, E-mail or through a neighbor so that you’ll know about any
upcoming assignments or scheduled exams.
5. Keep an open mind. Don’t let opposing opinions turn you off. Sometimes, your
instructor presents different viewpoints on purpose. Don’t be afraid to express your
own views in class if open discussion is provided. If not, you may request a meeting
with your instructor in his/her office to hear your side on the issue.

Let’s Try This

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Why is it necessary to edit your notes within 24 hours?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. What is the use of a note-taking “buddy”?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 40.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

A. Try to recall at least five of the ten tips for taking lecture notes. Write them down in the
spaces provided below in your own words.
1. _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

21
 3. _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

B. Listen to Tape Segment # 5, Side B, Let’s See What You Have Learned and do as
you are told. Use your own symbols and abbreviations in taking notes. You may use
the following guidelines:
♦ eliminate vowels;
♦ use only word beginnings;
♦ stop putting periods at the end of shortened words;
♦ use standard symbols; and
♦ use your own symbols and abbreviations.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on pages 40 and 41.

22
Let’s Remember

♦ Taking notes promotes active listening. It helps you concentrate on the lecture and feel
involved in the class. Many of us have a hard time remembering what we hear
compared to what we read.
♦ We acquire 83% of our information from seeing and only 11% from hearing. We
remember only 20% of what we hear compared to 30% of what we see. When we
both hear and see, we recall 50% of the information.
♦ Below are some of the phrases that signal you to take notes:
√ “There are three reasons why . . .”
√ “A good example of . . .”
√ “The most significant development . . .”
√ “In conclusion . . .”
√ “One group is . . .”
√ “Another type is . . .”
√ “First . . . second . . .”
√ “The important thing to remember here . . .”
√ “Please note that the . . .”
√ “Remember that the need was for . . .”

23
 LESSON 3
Connecting Your Notes
With the Rest of the Course

What do you do with all the notes you took in your subjects? Naturally, you will have to use
them. If you are asked to do a report, you will need your notes. You will also need to do
additional research. There may be some titles in your notes that you may look up. You can also
use the notes you’ve taken to study for your upcoming examinations.
After studying this lesson, you should be able to use your notes as review materials for
upcoming examinations.

Let’s Study and Analyze

On the second week of classes, assess yourself. Answer the following questions as truthfully
as you can.

Assess Yourself
Read the following statements and rate yourself with regard to being prepared in class
and taking effective notes. Check the YES column if the statement is true to you and the
NO column if it is not.
YES NO
1. I take notes during class lectures. ________ ________
2. I practice good classroom etiquette or manners
such as not talking to others, not reading the
newspapers or doing other assignments and not
falling asleep during lectures. ________ ________
3. Before class starts, I review my notes from the
previous or past lecture. ________ ________
4. I read the assigned textbook chapters ahead of
time so I am better able to understand the lecture
and take effective notes. ________ ________
5. During lectures, I ask questions whenever I don’t
understand something and when I want additional
information on the topic. ________ ________
6. When I take notes, I pay particular attention to the
information the instructor writes on the board
or displays using an overhead projector. ________ ________

24
 7. I try to review my notes as soon as class ends
or within 24 hours after taking them. ________ ________
8. My notes are organized and easy to read and
understand. ________ ________
9. I always sit in the front row to better see the
board, hear the instructor and pay attention. ________ ________
10. Within the first month of school, I make it a
priority to meet with and talk to all my
instructors. ________ ________
11. Before I write my notes, I think about what the
instructor is saying and try to understand the
information in my own words. ________ ________
12. When I listen to a lecture and take notes, I can
understand the main points the instructor is trying
to communicate. ________ ________
Review your responses above. Pay attention to the items to which you responded
“Yes.” These are your strengths. Now consider the items to which you responded “No.”
These represent areas where emphasis and improvement are needed. Now complete the
following statements:
1. Based on this assessment, my areas of strength are:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. Based on this assessment, the areas in which I need to improve are:
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Source: Petrie, T. and E. Denson, A Student Athlete’s Guide to College Success: Peak
Performance in Class and Life. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1999.

The assessment you did earlier will help you improve yourself by becoming more effective in
taking notes and participating in your classes. You have to keep your strengths and use them to
your advantage. But you have to do something to improve on your weaknesses from day to day
so you can reap success as a student.

25
 Let’s Listen to This

Listen to Tape Segment # 6, Side B, Step-by-Step Lecture Note Taking and take notes.
Then answer the following questions.
1. What are the three important steps you need to take when taking notes?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
2. What are the three key factors in taking organized notes?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
3. Why do you think these steps and factors are important in your life as a college
student?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 41.

Let’s Read

You can take notes effectively if you follow the three important steps described below.

Step 1: Set the Stage or Prepare in Advance

First, you must prepare in advance or set the stage for being a good note taker. This is like
preparing for a sports competition. You have to practice to be in tip-top shape.
What are the things you need to do before the actual talk or lecture starts? To help you take
more organized and accurate notes, you must do the following:
1. Read textbook assignments in advance. This will provide the necessary
background information for what will be discussed in the class lecture. You need this
so that you won’t be surprised and caught off guard.
2. Review the notes you took during the previous classes. Doing this can also give
you background information you need to understand the present lecture. Reviewing
your notes can help you start memorizing the information and seeing the connections
among topics covered from one class to the next.

26
 3. Have a separate notebook for each
class. You may be enrolled in five or six
subjects. To keep your notes organized,
have a separate loose-leaf notebook for
each class. This way, you can add as
many pieces of paper as you will need for
each class.
4. Come to your classes early and be
prepared. It is advisable to use the time
before the lecture or talk to prepare
yourself to be an active participant. Do
you have a pen and a notebook? Have
you reviewed your notes from the past sessions? Have you prepared questions to ask
about the past lectures so you can ask them today? Make the most of your time before
the lecture by getting your mind ready to learn.
5. Be well rested and properly fed. Have plenty of sleep and see to it that you’re not
hungry.

Let’s Study and Analyze

How do you take organized notes?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
The easiest and most effective way of taking notes is by keeping in mind the three key
factors enumerated in Tape Segment # 6, Side B, Step-by-Step Lecture Note Taking.

27
 Let’s Learn

Let us now look at the second step.

Step 2: Listen Actively

First, listen actively during classes. Active listening means focusing on, attending to and
thinking about what is being said. This means you don’t just sit back and relax, you have to
actively participate in the lecture.
Here are some suggestions to help you learn how to listen actively:
1. Sit in the front row. Taking this position can minimize distractions or anything that
takes away your attention from the lecture. Students who sit in front seldom fall asleep
or talk with their friends instead of listening to the lecture. Sitting in front lets you see
the instructor and the board (or overhead screen) more clearly. This is important
because your sense of sight is actively involved in the process of note taking.
2. Prepare in advance. Carrying out the suggestions on the note-taking process can
increase your chances of actively listening during classes because you’ll be able to
develop an interest in the present lecture.
3. Think about what the instructor is saying and ask questions. In most cases, it
will be better to think about the materials being presented before you write them down
in your own words. In certain cases, it will be good to write down exactly what the
instructor has said.

Let’s Review

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Why is it important to sit in the front row during lectures?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Are you supposed to ask your seatmates questions about the lecture? Why/Why not?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 41.

28
 Let’s Try This

Asking Questions in Class

During your first two weeks in college, ask at least one question in every class you attend.
You can prepare this question beforehand or make it up during the lecture. Make sure you get the
answer to it that same day. Even if you may not feel comfortable at first, try to ask your question
during the lecture. After two weeks of asking questions, answer the following:
1. How did you feel when you asked questions in class?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Did you notice any changes in your level of attention when listening to a lecture? _____
3. Did you notice too any changes in your ability to focus as a result of asking questions?
______
4. Will you continue to ask questions in your classes? Explain your answer.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those of a former NFE A&E learner who also studied the
module and is now enrolled in college. Did you come up with approximately the same answers?
Asking questions can help clear any misconceptions that you might have about the topic
being discussed. It will also give you a better understanding of the subject you are enrolled in.

Let’s Study and Analyze

1. Do you have a system of taking down notes? ______________________________

2. If you do, describe your system using the space provided below.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Let’s see whether your system of taking down notes comes close to the one described in the
second key factor.

29
 The second key factor in taking notes involves having a system for organizing and recording
them. Although there are many such systems, I recommend one that is straightforward and easy
to carry out. For this system to work effectively, the following guidelines are suggested:
♦ Use loose-leaf paper and write on only one side of each piece of paper.
♦ Separate your notes for each class and always make sure you date, label and number
the pages of each set of notes you take.
♦ Before you begin taking notes, draw a vertical line about two inches from the left-hand
side of your paper.
♦ Record your notes to the right of that line and use the space on the left as a “recall”
column for summarizing the main points of the lecture.
The third key factor involves having a systematic way of recording the lecture material.
There are many approaches for recording information on paper which you can study in another
module called Taking Notes From Textbooks. An outline is a great tool to use in preparing an
organized summary of the lecture material. Notes in outline form are easier to review when the
time comes to study for an examination.

Let’s Review

Summarize the three key factors in Step 2. Write your answers in the space provided below.
__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 41.

30
 Let’s Try This

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Do you review your notes? ____________________________________________
2. How often? _______________________________________________________
3. Why should you review your notes?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
How often should you review your notes? You should do this as often as possible so you
can retain your notes better. This will help you especially during the examination period. You
won’t have to cram for examinations anymore. You will have enough time to review your notes
and make good in the exams.
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 41.

Let’s Learn

Let’s continue our discussion.

Step 3: Review Your Notes

Reviewing refers to the process which lets you understand, learn and memorize the
material from your classes. It is very important that within the first 24 hours of taking notes you
find time to review them. This is because we tend to forget something within the first 24 hours
after we experience it. Reviewing strengthens learning and helps you retain information.
Review daily as soon as possible or immediately after each class, if possible. If you have a
break after each class, make sure you spend about ten minutes going over your notes within the
first 24 hours after you take them.
While doing your daily review, you may find points that are unclear or incomplete. Mark
them and ask the instructor for clarification during the next class. In addition, select key words or
phrases from your notes and come up with questions that summarize what you recorded from the
lecture. Write these words, phrases or questions in the recall column.

31
 Let’s Try This

Answer the questions below.

1. What are examinations?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. How important are your notes in preparing for examinations?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. What will you do if you find that you got a low score in your first exam?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 41.

Let’s Read

The main purpose of taking down notes is to have something you can study or review when
the examination period comes. An examination is an exercise designed to test your progress or
knowledge while studying.
People have different ideas about tests. Some people think of tests as something annoying
or unpleasant like pests. Others think of tests as challenges. Then again, others like to think of
tests as breaks from lectures, talks or discussions. But whatever people think about tests,
remember that they are only instruments to measure what you have learned. They are instruments
for finding out your progress in learning.
If you get a low grade in an examination or a test, it can only mean two things: that you did
not understand what your instructors taught or you did not study well for the exam. Approach
your instructors and talk to them. They may help you get over the barriers to learning. Analyze
your tests. See where you went wrong. Doing all these can help you get better grades in your
next examination.

32
 Let’s See What You Have Learned

Match the items in Column A with those in Column B. Write only the letter of the correct
answer in the space provided.
Column A Column B
_____ 1. Areas where improvement is needed a. examination
_____ 2. Areas you should keep the way they b. review
are
c. ask questions
_____ 3. What you should do when
d. weaknesses
something is not clear to you
e. strengths
_____ 4. Lets you understand, learn and
memorize the material from your
classes
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 42.

Let’s Remember

♦ The three important steps in order to become an effective note taker are:
1. Set the stage or prepare in advance.
2. Take organized notes.
3. Review your notes.
♦ An examination is an exercise designed to test your progress or knowledge while
studying. It is merely a tool to find out how much you have learned.
Well, this is the end of the module! Congratulations for finishing it. Did you like it? Did you
learn anything useful from it? A summary of its main points is given on the next page to help you
remember them better.

33
 Let’s Sum Up

This module tells us that:

♦ A lecture is a verbal interchange of ideas that occurs most often in the classroom. It is
the most frequently used method of imparting knowledge to college students.
♦ Active listening makes it possible for you to take notes effectively during lectures. It
involves the full use of your mind.
♦ When listening to a lecture, be alert for key ideas, important points and verbal cues or
leads.
♦ When taking notes, learn to abbreviate so that you can follow the instructor’s lecture.
Create your own symbols.
♦ Take note of your strengths and weaknesses. Keep your strengths and improve on
your weaknesses in note taking.
♦ Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you do not understand what the lecturer is
talking about. Clarify ideas which seem vague to you.

34
 What Have You Learned?

A. Encircle the letter of the correct answer to each of the following.

1. Which of the following statements about taking good notes from lectures is
incorrect?
a. Good notes give the answers to the questions in the test.
b. Effective note taking can give you a clear record of what you have learned.
c. Note taking decreases the number of words you listen to while your
instructor is giving a lecture.
d. Effective note taking helps you remember important information more easily.
2. Which of the following statements is true about taking notes during lectures?
a. Exclude key ideas from your notes.
b. Listen, think and write while taking notes from lectures.
c. Sit at the back of the classroom or near the door during lectures.
d. Copy your seatmate’s notes to ensure that you have all the materials you
need.
3. Active listening involves ____________________.
a. discussing another subject with your seatmate
b. focusing your attention on what your classmate is saying
c. concentrating on what the instructor is saying and becoming involved in the
activities of the class
d. asking too many questions during a lecture
4. Which of the following is a technique to learn to listen and write at the same time?
a. Don’t force yourself to concentrate on what the instructor is saying.
b. Write down everything you can about the instructor’s lecture.
c. Write down the subtopics of the lecture first and then the main points.
d. Pick out the main points or topics and then write down the details.
5. Which of these phrases is not an example of verbal cues or leads to take notes?
a. “The most significant development . . .”
b. “Please note that . . .”
c. “Recall our discussion about . . .”
d. “There are three reasons why . . .”

35
 B. Listen to Tape Segment # 7, Side B, Study Techniques. While listening, take note of
important information given by the speaker. Make an outline of it below.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on page 42. How well did you do?
Did you get all the answers right? If you did, that’s very good! You are now ready for another
module. If not, simply go over the items you weren’t able to answer correctly before studying a
new module.

36
 Answer Key

A. Let’s See What You Already Know (pages 2–3)

A. 1. (b) is correct because a lecture is a formal discussion in a class.
2. (d) is correct because it is not one of the main purposes of a lecture.
3. (a) is correct because the lecturer gives important lectures that the student
might miss if he/she skips classes.
4. (c) is correct because it is not one of the ten tips which will help you
develop your note-taking skills further.
5. (d) is correct because active listening means preparing in advance, sitting in
the front row, thinking about what the lecturer is saying and asking
questions.
B.
Outline
Down’s Ideas on Growth Areas for Employment in the Year 2000
I. Three areas of employment growth
A. Telecommunications industry
1. Installation of second telephone network
2. Introduction of cable TV
B. Tourism
C. Motor industry

B. Lesson 1
Let’s Review (pages 4–5)
1. Mrs. Monsanto gave a lecture to her class.
2. A lecture is a verbal interchange of ideas in a classroom.
3. A lecture is important because it introduces the subject being taught and the areas
of study that might confuse a learner. It is also important because it summarizes
the issues of the subject and it focuses on the main points that should be taken up.
4. Yes because she was able to satisfy the four main purposes of a lecture. She gave
an overview of the subject, summarized it, focused on its main points and clarified
otherwise confusing areas of the subject. She also asked and entertained
pertinent questions.

37
 Let’s Try This (pages 5–6)
Encircle the following letters: a, c, d and e.
Let’s Review (page 6)
1. Larry is listening to Mrs. Monsanto, thinking about her lecture and taking notes.
2. They are important because they help him retain the knowledge imparted by the
teacher in his mind. It will then be easier for Larry to study when the examination
period comes.
Let’s Listen to This (page 8)
1. Anilao
2. A grouper
3. The damage was brought about by overfishing, dynamite and cyanide fishing,
improper waste disposal and unregulated development.
4. Gutsy Tuason and Eduardo Co Unjieng
Let’s Review (page 9)
1. Students chatting with each other, doodling in notebooks, not listening
2. Students should listen to and think while taking notes about what their instructor is
saying.
Let’s See What You Have Learned (page10)
1. Philippine monkey-eating eagle
2. It is ferocious looking. It has blue eyes, a large, sharp, curved beak and a warlike
headdress of spiky feathers. It can grow up to three feet in height and nine
pounds in weight. It has short, broad wings and a squared-off tail.
3. It is now in danger of becoming extinct because of hunting, pollution and habitat
loss.

C. Lesson 2
Let’s Study and Analyze (pages 12–13)
1. Phrases suggesting that it is time to take notes are those that indicate contrast,
cause and effect, a list that will follow and solutions to a problem.
2. They borrowed Nelly’s notes because they were not able to listen to their
professor’s lecture.
3. No, they should have listened to the professor and took down notes.
4. Yes, because when Prof. Nuñez glanced at their papers, he saw their incorrect
answers.

38
 Let’s Try This (page 17)

Your Notes News Outline Name: _____________

Date: _____________
Page # _____________

Environmental Problems
Environmental problems arising from the interaction of the different
ecosystems whenever disorders happen
I. Forest resources
A. Composition
B. Causes of destruction
C. Results of destruction
II. Mineral resources
A. Composition
B. Impacts of corporate mining
III. Agricultural resources
A. Land area
B. Causes of destruction
C. Impacts of destruction
IV. Freshwater resources
A. Uses of freshwater resources
B. Causes of death
C. Resulting chain reaction
V. Coastal and marine resources
A. Composition
B. Causes of destruction
C. Results
VI. Steps to help solve the problem

39
Let’s Try This (page 19)

Word Abbreviation Word Abbreviation

multiplied by x divided by ÷
heart ♥ more than or equal to ≥
less than or equal to ≤ average ave
triangle square
diamond ◊ circle

star bell

asterisk * pounds lbs
kilogram/s kg angle ∠
about abt corporation corp
centimeter/s cm morning am
afternoon pm noon nn

You may have other abbreviations not in this list. Show them to your Instructional
Manager for feedback.
Let’s Listen to This (page 20)
5 Rs of Cornell Sys
Record – facts & ideas; write legibly
Reduce – info; summarize facts & ideas
Recite – use own wrds
Reflect – draw opinions frm notes
Review – 10 mins @ wk & retain most of wat u hv learned
The answers to this may vary. Show your work to your Instructional Manager for
feedback.
Let’s Try This (page 21)
1. Doing this assures that you will learn the right things because you are able to
correct the inaccuracies, inconsistencies and missing information from your notes.
At the same time you retain in your memory the things that you have learned.
2. A note-taking “buddy” will be able to fill you in on what transpired in class during
your absence.
Let’s See What You Have Learned (pages 21–22)
A. 1. Don’t rely on your memory alone.
2. Prepare before the lecture.
3. Become an active participant in the lecture.
4. Learn to listen and write simultaneously.
5. Learn to abbreviate.
6. Edit your notes within 24 hours.
7. Use a tape recorder with a counter.
8. Play taped lectures while you commute.
9. Find a note-taking “buddy.”
10. Keep an open mind.

40
 B. Take notes consistently. Don’t write everything. Get only impt pts. 3 ways to take
notes:
1. Read nts again after taking them.
2. Reorganize. Grp similar info.
3. Rvw topics of newly grpd nts. Rvwg wl b easier. Time bet note taking &
rvwg shld be short. Retention rt wl improve.
The answers to this may vary. Consult your Instructional Manager for feedback.

D. Lesson 3
Let’s Listen to This (page 26)
1. The three steps are: (1) set the stage or prepare in advance; (2) create a system
for note taking; and (3) review your notes thoroughly.
2. The three key factors are: (1) listen actively during lectures; (2) have a system for
organizing notes; and (3) have a systematic way of recording your notes.
3. Having organized notes will help you keep track of the instructor’s lectures. It will
facilitate your studying especially before exams.
Let’s Review (page 28)
1. Sitting in the front row will minimize distractions. It will prevent you from falling
asleep. It will also help you see the instructor and the board clearly. Active
listening is therefore promoted.
2. No, you should ask your lecturer and not your seatmates. Your seatmates might
get distracted by you and miss the important points of the lecture too.
Let’s Review (page 30)
The three key factors in note taking are:
1. Listen actively in class by:
a. sitting in the front row;
b. preparing in advance; and
c. thinking about what the instructor is saying and asking questions;
2. having a system for organizing and recording your notes; and
3. having a systematic way of recording the lecture.
Let’s Try This (page 32)
1. An examination is an exercise designed to test what you learned from the lectures
and other activities given by the instructor.
2. The main purpose of taking down notes is to have something you can study or
review when the examination period comes.
3. Take a look at your exam again and see where you went wrong. Then talk to
your instructor so that he/she can help you solve your problem.

41
 Let’s See What You Have Learned (page 33)
1. (d)
2. (e)
3. (c)
4. (b)

E. What Have You Learned? (pages 35–36)

A. 1. (c) is correct because note taking does not lessen the words you listen to
while listening to a lecture. It helps you become more focused because it
promotes active listening.
2. (b) is correct because when an instructor is giving a lecture, you must listen,
write and think at the same time.
3. (c) is correct because active listening means listening attentively to your
instructor while thinking and writing down notes.
4. (d) is correct because to get the idea of what the instructor is talking about,
you should pick out the main point he/she wants to impart first. Write it
down and then follow it with subtopics and finally the details.
5. (c) is correct because the phrase “recall our discussion” is not an example of
verbal cues and leads. It means you clearly understood the topic your
instructor is talking about. You need not take notes on this again unless you
weren’t listening the first time.
B. Listening—d easy way to learn.
4 factors to good listening:
1. coordinate thoughts w/ speaker;
2. match ur rate of thinking w/ rate of speaking of lecturer;
3. follow argument of speaker; &
4. overcome lack of emphasis on listening.
Up to 80% of course mat’l given orally.
listening aids—listen 2 key words, hv notepad & pencil, prepare worksht, listen
w/ eyes, ears and mind.
listening errors—avoid interrptg speaker, asking questions quickly, imptnce,
making nonsense comments, expressing opinions.

42
 The answers to this may vary. Consult your Instructional Manager for
feedback.

References

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, the Pennsylvania State University.
Mastering the Art of Studying. http://www.psu.edu/idp_celt/LAPS/exams.html.
March 22, 2001, date accessed.
Dartcenter.org. Endangered in the Wild. http://www.bagheera.com/inthewild/
van_anim_phleagle.htm. March 5, 2001, date accessed.
GoPinoy.com. Tamaraw: Bubalus Mindorensis. http://www.gopinoy.com/specials/
onlyinthephilippines/index_tamaraw.htm. March 8, 2001, date accessed.
MathNEWS. A Definition of Lecture. http://www.mathnews.uwaterloo.ca/Issues/mn7203/
lecture_filler.html. February 22, 2001, date accessed.
Petrie, T. and E. Denson, A Student Athlete’s Guide to College Success: Peak
Performance in Class and Life. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co., 1999.

43