Note Taking Skills

Tips for ESL Students

Introductory Questions

– Writing down ideas from lectures and Writing down ideas from lectures and readings in our own wordsreadings in our own words

•What is note taking?What is note taking?

Introductory Questions

– Loose-leaf paperLoose-leaf paper– BinderBinder– Folders with pocketsFolders with pockets– Pens, Pencils and ErasersPens, Pencils and Erasers

•What materials do we What materials do we need?need?

Introductory Questions

– Helps us pay attention in classHelps us pay attention in class– Helps us study for testsHelps us study for tests– Helps us improve our memoryHelps us improve our memory– Helps us take ownership of ideasHelps us take ownership of ideas– Helps us engage our sensesHelps us engage our senses

•Why do we take notes?Why do we take notes?

How do we take notes?

• True/False - write down every word?True/False - write down every word?

• True/False – write complete sentences?True/False – write complete sentences?

• True/False – write down key words?True/False – write down key words?

• True/False – write what is on the board?True/False – write what is on the board?

• True/False – use abbreviations?True/False – use abbreviations?

How do we take notes?

• True/False – write down long examples True/False – write down long examples word for word?word for word?

• True/False – write down ideas we don’t True/False – write down ideas we don’t understand?understand?

• True/False – stop writing and start crying True/False – stop writing and start crying when we get lost?when we get lost?

How do we take notes?

• Date and label notesDate and label notes• Give ourselves space to writeGive ourselves space to write• Use abbreviations and symbolsUse abbreviations and symbols

– What are some examples of symbols and abbreviations?

• Use an outline to show:Use an outline to show:– Main ideasMain ideas– SupportsSupports– ExamplesExamples

• Use our own languageUse our own language

Useful Abbreviations

!! - important?? - not clear - on test - cause/link+ or & - and= - equal@ - at - look up

T

N - noun

S - subject

O - object

V - verb

Adj - adjective

Adv - adverb

Ex - example

pg - page

How do we prepare for class?

• Do pre-reading and homeworkDo pre-reading and homework

• Review syllabusReview syllabus

• Preview previous notesPreview previous notes

• Look up key words prior to classLook up key words prior to class

How do we review after a class?

• Review notes along with the bookReview notes along with the book

• Create our own examples

• Discuss and compare notes with othersDiscuss and compare notes with others

• Re-write notesRe-write notes

• Ask professor for clarificationAsk professor for clarification

How do we create our own examples?

• Follow patterns provided– example: Compound Sentences

• The teacher explains writes on the board:– Independent Clause [CON] Independent Clause

» CON = , FANBOYS or ; transitional word,

• Now create an example:– The man walked around the lake, and his daughter sat

on the bench.

IC= the man walkedCON = , andIC= his daughter sat

Thank you for joining us today for

our Note Taking Skills workshop.

Questions? Comments?