NOTE-TAKING IN TOEFL IBT

OUTLINE
Why take notes?

Dos & Donts

Tips & strategies

How do I know whats important

in a passage?
WHY NOTE TAKING?

Its a written record so that you have something to

refer back to in case you forget.

Keeps you focused

Helps you to relate, and organize ideas.

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DOS & DONTS WHEN TAKING NOTES

DONTS DOS
Be brief
Use complete
sentences Translate ideas into your
Write each and every own words.
word or detail. Focus on the main ideas
Pay attention to
and the main details
grammar or spelling
Use abbreviations and
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shortcuts
 NOTE TAKING TIPS

(cut off syllables)

reg. = regular b/c =because w/ = with w/out = without

(omit
letters)
contd = continued doin =
doing
(Use symbols where possible)

# no. & --> 5

ABBREVIATIONS
Here are some examples for how to make abbreviations:

e.g. for example ref. Reference

i.e. that is imp important

etc. etcetera/so on
diff/diff.y difficult/difficulty

diff.t different
N.B. note
Dept. Department
Q. question
%s Percentages
No. / # number
(WHO) World Health Organization
probs. problems
4 ex. / e.g. For example
p./pp page/pages Bldng Building
1st first = Equals
max. Maximum w/o Without
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thro/thru through
EXAMPLE

The diameter of the Earth is four times

greater than the diameter of the moon.

Earth = 4X big. Dia. Of moon

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RESPONDING TO THE CUES

Writethekindofinformationyouwould

expecttohearwhenaspeakerusesthe

followingconnectingwords?

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 CONTEXT CLUES
In other words: a repetition of a previous point but said in a different way.
Likewise: additional information will be presented
Therefore: a conclusion or a result to the previous point
As an illustration: a longer example will be given
Previously: a situation that occurred before the given point is going to be discussed.
Conversely: a point that is in contrast to the given point is going to be discussed.
Furthermore: additional information will be presented.
Above all: a point is going to be emphasized.
To summarize: all the points are going to be repeated in a shortened form .
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KNOWING WHAT IS IMPORTANT
(LISTENING)
Definitions, and Specific facts

Ideas professor repeats or spends a long time on

Ideas written on board or overhead

Change in pace, or volume.

Clear cues: this is important or this will be on the exam!

Divisions
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KNOWING WHAT IS IMPORTANT
(READING)
The FIRST SENTENCE of each

paragraph.

Details (i.e. names, numbers.. etc.)

The LAST SENTENCE.

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