Note-taking System

By
Leo Benn

Notes
act as a summary or reinforcement of the main points of
what you read, heard or saw
an essential record of where information came from (for
referencing purposes)
remind you of other things you should do to continue
learning,
e.g. sources to check out; action to take
useful for future revision purposes, for exams or writing
assignments

Note-taking
the first stage of the process of producing effective
notes
a process that involves writing or recording what you
hear or read in a descriptive way
during lectures, tutorials or seminar
copying notes from original resources seen, heard or
read

Note-making
follows on from taking notes
happens when
i.

You synthesize your reading from a number of

sources on the same topic.

ii. You summarize for yourself the connections in any

reading or from any lecture.
iii. You add your own critical comments to what you
read or hear

Similarities between
note-taking and note Both provides the student with material for easy
making
reference, preparation and study during an
exam
Both aids the student in remembering facts
easier as it utilizes both reading and listening
senses
Both have the same purpose that is for the
student to excel in their studies
Both helps students concentrate better a n d

Differences between
note-taking and noteNote-taking
Note-making
making

Brings no obvious improvement

Making notes improve the skills in

towards the skills in studying.

study.

Only jotting down points. Involve Helps student to see each point
no sight interpretation.

clearly along with its link or

connection with each other

Very less changes are required.

Easier to change the notes made

Taking points from one source on Involve the taking of points from
a time.

different sources.

Note-taking
Less understanding process

Note-making
Aimed in making note is that the

involved, the aim is to take notes/ making of the notes must be in a

point

way that helps students to

understand the topic related
better

Points or notes were rewrite in full Making notes are often in short
form. Points given by sources are form (comprises only the main
taken straightly

point or key words that may help

the study process). process must
involve the process of
summarizing all the information
within the points studied

Note-taking

Note-making

Taking notes only gives the early Making notes should be able to helps
configuration for the whole topic.

students in captured its main key.

Overall structure cannot be show Showing of the overall structure of

clearly as it still in complex form.

specific subject.

Notes are made by sources. Only Constructed by the learner them self,
hand-made can be applied since whether
the time occurred can be limited.

by

hand-made

or

in

computer-typed form.
Often in a most creative form so that
the correlation to the brain ability in
storing the facts become smooth.

Methods of note-taking

The Cornell Method

The Outlining Method
The Mapping Method

The Cornell Method

The Cornell method provides a systematic
format for condensing and organizing notes without
laborious recopying. After writing the notes in the
main space, use the left-hand space to label each
idea and detail with a key word or "clue."

Procedure:

Rule your paper with a 2 inch margin on the left leaving a

six-inch area on the right in which to make notes.

During class, take down information in the six-inch area. When

the instructor moves to a new point, skip a few lines. After
class, complete phrases and sentences as much as possible.

For every significant bit of information, write a clue in the left

margin.

To review, cover your notes with a card, leaving the cues

exposed. Say the clue out loud, then say as much as you can of
the material underneath the card.

When you have said as much as you can, move the card and
see if what you said matches what is written. If you can say it,

Overview of the note

page

Advantages

Organized and systematic for recording and reviewing

notes.

Easy format for pulling out major concept and ideas.

Simple and efficient.

Saves time and effort.

Outlining Method
Dash or indented outlining is usually best except for some
science classes such as physics or math.
The information which is most general begins at the left with
each more specific group of facts indented with spaces to
the right.
The relationships between the different parts is carried out
through indenting.
No numbers, letters, or Roman numerals are needed.

Procedure :
1. Listening and then write in points in an organized pattern
based on space indention.
2. Place major points farthest to the left. Indent each more
specific point to the right.
3. Levels of importance will be indicated by distance away
from the major point. Indention can be as simple as or as
complex

as

labeling

the

indentations

with

Roman

numerals or decimals. Markings are not necessary as

space relationships will indicate the major/minor points.

Example:

Advantages:

Well-organized system if done right.

Outlining records content as well as relationships.

It also reduces editing and is easy to review by turning

main points into questions.

Mapping Method
Mapping

is

method

that

uses

comprehension/concentration skills and evolves in a

note-taking form which relates each fact or idea to
every

other

fact

or

idea.

Mapping

is

graphic

representation of the content of a lecture. It is a method

that maximizes active participation, affords immediate
knowledge as to its understanding, and emphasizes
critical thinking.

Example:

Advantages

This format helps you to visually track your lecture regardless

of conditions.

Little thinking is needed and relationships can easily be seen.

It is also easy to edit your notes by adding numbers, marks,

and color coding.

Review will call for you to restructure thought processes

which will force you to check understanding.

Review by covering lines for memory drill and relationships.

Main points can be written on flash or note cards and pieced

together into a table or larger structure at a later date.