Here are some general principles for good note taking:
5Rs of note-taking
Pawk (1989) recommends a 5-step note-taking process.
Record
During the lecture or whilst reading, write down the important information.
Reduce
Then, write a summary of the ideas and facts using key words as cue words.
Recite
Try to recite and recall all the information in your own words without looking at the notes.
Reflect
Think about your own opinions and ideas as you read over your notes. Ask questions, then try to answer them. Write down original ideas in your notebook and review them regularly. Use these ideas when answering exam questions, in tutorial discussions, and when writing essays.
Review
Before reading or studying new material, take ten minutes to quickly review your older notes. Skim over the main ideas and details. Reviewing helps you to remember old information while adding new material to your long-term memory.
The Cornell notes method outlined on the next tab is one system that can help to do this.
The Cornell method works by:
1. Recording the lecture in a way that is meaningful to you in the note-taking area.
2. Identifying and separating keywords and concepts
3. Summarise each page of notes in a sentence or two (This also helps with revision).
2Cue or question column Reduce notes to main ideas or key questions in this space
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1Note-taking area Listen to content Record significant information Focus on main ideas and connections between ideas Explain key terms Note your ideas Use symbols, diagrams and colours to make sense |
3Summary area. After the lecture, summarise content here. |
Here is one example of how the Cornell method has been used to capture lecture notes (Click to expand).
Note the use of colour and systems to capture connections between the ideas.
Mind mapping is the graphical representation of notes. There are distinct advantages of taking notes this way for many learners.
Constructing a mind map
The main keywords or themes in a topic go in the centre, with related concepts branching off.
Pauk, W. (1989). How to Study in College (4th Ed.). Houghton Mifflin