RULES FOR NOTE-TAKING

Rule 1: Be selective:
decide what’s important

Rule 2: Be brief:
use abbreviations and symbols

Rule 3: Be clear
show the interrelationship between the speaker’s points
Rule 1: Be selective

1. Don't write down everything that you read or hear. Be

alert and attentive to the main points. Concentrate on the
"meat" of the subject.
2. Notes should consist of key words or very short
sentences.
3. Take accurate notes. You should usually use your own
words, but try not to change the meaning.
Rule 2: Be brief

Use symbols and abbreviations

Speed is essential

Abbreviations:
1. Common abbreviations (many derived from Latin )
2. Discipline - specific abbreviations
3. Personal abbreviations
Recommendations

 1. Have a uniform system of punctuation and

abbreviation that will make sense to you. Use a
skeleton outline and show importance by
indenting. Leave lots of white space for later
additions.
 2. Omit descriptions and full explanations.
Keep your notes short and to the point.
Condense your material so you can grasp it
rapidly.
 3. Don't worry about missing a point.
Abbreviations

a) e.g.-
exempli gratia= for example
b) N.B.-
Nota Bene= bear in mind
c) i.e.-
id est= that is
d) etc.-
et cetera= and so on
e) cf.-
confere= compare this with
f) v.v.-
vice versa= the other way round
Initials

a) ILO-
International Labour Office (or Organization)
b) WHO-
World Health Organization
c) OPEC-
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
d) ABC-
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
e) UNESCO-
United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization
Your own abbreviations
a) imp-
important
b) bt-
but
c) int’l-
international
d) ess’l-
essential
e) fut-
future
f) est-
estimated
g) prob-
problem/ probable
h) S-
student
Symbols
a) - ‘is the same as’
b) + -‘ ‘
c) - ‘causes’ or leads to’ or results to
d)?? -
e) - is greater than
f) ! -
g) - grows, rises
h) - ‘varies with’
i) - at
j) man/men
Symbols

a) = - ‘is the same as’

b) + - in addition
c) - ‘causes’ or leads to’ or results to
d) ?? - not clear
e) - is greater than
f) ! - important
g) - grows, rises
h) - ‘varies with’
i) ♀♂
Symbols & abbreviations

.
. . Therefore, so
. .
. Because
“ inches
‘ minutes, feet
@ at
c. Century
w/ with
w/o without
Rule 3: Be clear

Use concept maps and diagrams

Two common ways to represent relationships:

 Linear notes

 Mind map (Spider notes or web notes)

Linear notes
Spoken English

 Speak in short “chunks”

 Simpler grammar – more coordination

 Hesitations, slips

 Varying accents
Mind map
Suggestions
Each student should develop his or her own method of taking notes, but most students
find the following suggestions helpful:
A. Make your notes brief.
1. Never use a sentence where you can use a phrase. Never use a phrase where you
can use a word.
2. Use abbreviations and symbols, but be consistent.
B. Put most notes in your own words. However, the following should be noted
exactly:
1. Formulas
2. Definitions
3. Specific facts
C. Use outline form and/or a numbering system. Indention helps you distinguish
major from minor points.
D. If you miss a statement, write key words, skip a few spaces, and get the
information later.
E. Don't try to use every space on the page. Leave room for coordinating your
notes with the text after the lecture. (You may want to list key terms in the margin or
make a summary of the contents of the page.)
F. Date your notes. Perhaps number the pages.
Post-listening
 Shortly after making your notes, go back and rework
(not redo) your notes by adding extra points and
spelling out unclear items. Remember, we forget
rapidly. Budget time for this vital step just as you do for
the class itself.

 Review your notes regularly. This is the only way to
achieve lasting memory.
 Questions:

What does it mean to be brief?

What does it mean to be clear?
What does it mean to be selective?
What recommendations for good note-
taking are provided in the Presentation?