Note Taking Basics

Mr. H’s Note Taking Basics How can I be successful in a class that requires note-taking?

Helpful Hint #1 Note taking = Dictation Note taking is writing complete ideas; dictation is writing complete sentences.

Examples Dictation:

Mr. H’s history class meets 5 days a week, from 10:00 am to 11:20. Notes: History w/ Mr. H

-

5 d/wk

10 – 11:20 am

Helpful Hint #2 Successful Note taking: Listen for KEY WORDS First - costs

Helpful Hint #3 Use space. Don’t fill space Three keys to green environment – educate public, improve techno., and help increase demand for recycling.

-Other ExamplesUse vertical space.

Use horizontal space.

-Other Examples(use headers)

Helpful Hint #4 Use symbols and abbreviations. Mr

=

Mrs w/ pop &

% ‹ › #

!



w/o

x

Helpful Hint #5 Get the BIG PICTURE! What’s the speaker’s main point? What does he / she want you to learn?

Helpful Hint #6 •Develop your own style. •YOU DON’T HAVE TO WRITE WORD-FOR-WORD; EVERYTHING DOWN

Now let’s change sentences to ideas . . .

Change dictation into notes: Studies on worldwide literacy* rates show that almost 80 percent of the world’s population over the age of 15 is now literate. This includes more women than ever before.

*Literacy = ability to read

One way to write this info Studies ww literacy rt = almost 80 % world pop over 15 yrs now literate (+ more women)

Did you organize or write this in a different way?

Change dictation into notes: Many foreign governments (like the United States) are offering aid to African countries with AIDS-related issues. Because of his work on this issue as President, George W. Bush is extremely popular in Africa However other foreign government contribute little help to the issue, arguing that it is an “African problem…”.

One way to write this info Foreign Aid to Africa (AIDS) • US (President Bush popularity)  • Other Countries (“African problem”)  Did you organize or write this in a different way?

Change dictation into notes: The government of the Roman Republic was made up of 3 groups: the 300-member Senate (which represented the wealthy members of Roman society), the Consuls which were 2 of the most trusted senators who served as commanders of the army for short periods of time, and the 100-member Assembly, which represented the average citizens. Senators created the laws and held life terms; Assemblymen voted on the laws and served short, 2-year terms

One way to write this info Roman Rep. Gov: 1. Senate (300 mem., wealthy, life, created laws) 2. Consuls (App. Sen, short term, military comm.) 3. Assembly (100 mem., poor, 2y terms, voted on laws)

One way to write this info Roman Rep. Gov: Senate • Wealthy • Life terms • Created laws

Consuls • 2 Senators • Short term • Military Comm.

Assembly • Lower class • 2 year terms • Voted on laws