Chapter 5

How to Take Good Notes and Write Well to Maximize

Your PerformanceCopyright 2010. Raymond Gerson

Benefits of Note Taking

• You have information to review so it can be transferred from your short-term to long-term memory.

• Makes you an active learner and improves concentration.

• Provides you with information which compliments, but may not be in your text book.

• Improves your overall learning.• Improves your grades on exams and class

assignments.

Tips for Taking Good Notes

• Attend your classes so you will be able to take notes.

• Pay attention to verbal and non-verbal cues. An example of a verbal cue is the instructor repeats a point. An example of a non-verbal cue is the instructor starts pacing and gesturing more than usual.

• Don’t write down everything, only important points and ideas.

Tips for Taking Good Notes (Cont’d)

• Read or at least preview chapters before the instructor discusses them.

• Compare the text and your class notes.• Include examples in your notes to better

understand the concepts.• Use abbreviations and symbols.• Use a note taking system such as an idea

map, outline, or the Cornell System. See example of Cornell Note taking System.

Listening and Note Taking

• Listen with your focused attention. • Ask questions both silently and out

loud. • Watch for verbal and non-verbal cues. • Write what you are hearing in your own

words. • Evaluate what you are hearing.

Note Taking Assessment

• Do the Note Taking Assessment activity.

Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve

This reveals how much you will tend to remember with the passage of time after learning new information. This is why note taking is so important.

Time Amount Recalled

20 minutes 58.2%

1 hour 44.2%

9 hours 35.8%

1 day 33.7%

2 days 27.8%

6 days 25.4%

31 days 21.1%

Note Taking Systems

• Cornell – Consists of your notes, a question or statement in the left margin and a brief summary.

• Outline Method – Identify the main points and supporting ideas in an outline form.

• Idea map – Create a think link for your notes.• Parallel – On one side are your instructor’s

lecture notes and on the other side a blank sheet of paper for your notes.

Benefits of Writing Well

• Increases job opportunities.

• Improves success in school.

• Improves essay test results.

• Communicates your professionalism and expertise.

Four Phases of Writing

1.Planning• Choose topics you are passionate about if

given a choice.• Brainstorm ideas.• Determine your audience.• Narrow down the topic.• Ask journalist type questions. Who? What?

When? Where? Why? How?• Create an outline.

Four Phases of Writing (Cont’d)

2.Drafting• Free write your first draft.• Research and gather facts and examples.• Write an introduction. • Write the body with main ideas and

supporting points.• Write a strong conclusion.

Four Phases of Writing (Cont’d)

3.Revising. Evaluate your paper to see what you need to improve and rewrite.

4.Editing.Correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. Seek assistance if needed.

See example of the outline and paper, “The Hidden Benefits in Life’s Difficulties.”

Write Like An Artist

• Planning – Generate the idea for creating the sculpture.

• Drafting – Shape chunks into an outline.

• Revising – Add details.• Editing – Polish your

sculpture and smooth out errors.

Summary of Main Points

• It is important to take good notes and review them often because information is quickly forgotten after you read or hear it.

• Use a note taking system to capture important points and take better notes to study and review.

• A good paper will include an introduction and thesis which grabs attention, a body with strong supporting ideas and a conclusion which brings the topic to closure and leaves the reader wanting more.