Effective Lecture Note Taking

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Effective Lecture Note Taking

• Computer Workplace Readiness
• Mrs. Stanley 2008

2
Reasons for Taking Notes

• Forces you to listen carefully
• Notes indicate important points
• Helps you to remember material
• Improve study skills and work habits

3
Instructor Clues

• Info written on board
• Repetition
• Emphasis
• Word signals
• Summaries at end of class
• Review at beginning of class

4
Note Taking Suggestions

• Keep them brief
• Put notes in your own words
• Use outline form/numbering systems, or
  indentations
• Missed information write key words and go back
• Leave space on page to organize notes later
• Date and number pages

5
5 Note Taking Methods

• The Cornell Method
• The Outline Method
• The Mapping Method
• The Charting Method
• The Sentence Method
• For More Information
• http//sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/html

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The Cornell Method

• Provides a systematic format to organize notes
• Does not require you to recopy notes
• Uses the left-hand margin space to label ideas
  with key words

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How does it work?

• Draw a margin on the left side of paper
• Take notes to the right of the line
• Skip lines when discussion topic changes
• Write cues in the left margin
• To review cover the right side and read the
  cue. Recite everything you can about the topic

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Advantages

• Organized system
• Easy format to review main points
• Simple and efficient
• Saves time
• Do it right the first time

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The Outline Method

• General information begins on the left
• More specific facts indented to the right
• Relationship of parts are indented
• No numbers, letters or Roman numerals needed

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Outline Method continued

• Listen attentively
• Write points in organized pattern of indentations
• Major points go to the left
• Detail of these points gets indented to the right
• Additional descriptions are indented further to
  the left

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Advantages

• Well organized system
• Outlining visually demonstrates important points
  and supporting info
• Easy to review as a study guide
• Reduces note editing time

12
Group Activity

• Discuss note taking lessons learned
• Compare and share notes
• Revise and edit
• Submit at end of class