NOTE MAKING Note Making Notes are short written record of facts to aid the memory. Notes are usually taken to record a speech or dictation while listening to it or after reading a book, magazine or article. They are referred back whenever needed and may be reproduced in the desired way. WHY IS NOTE MAKING IMPORTANT? Knowledge is vast and unlimited, but our memory is limited. We cannot remember all the information all the time. Hence note-making is necessary. With the help of notes we can recall the entire information read/heard months ago. Note-making is quite useful to students preparing so many subjects. Hence note-making fulfils three useful functions: 1.It keeps a lot of information at our disposal for ready reference. 2.It helps us reconstruct what was said or written and thus accelerates the process of remembering/recall. 3.It comes in handy in delivering a speech, participation in a debate/discussion, writing an essay and revising lessons before an examination.IMPORTANT POINTS itis an advanced writing skill acquiring increasing importance due to knowledge explosion It is complex activity which combines several skills. It required good reading and listening skills along with writing skills Note should be small and brief Write only relevant and important information Information should be written in a logical order There must be a title to give the information about the contain Information should be written in points and main part should be divided into subparts which is further divided into points Mechanics of note making While making notes we follow certain standard practices, These may be listed as follows: (a) Heading and Sub-headings (b) Abbreviation and Symbols (c) Note-form (d) Numbering and Indentation Heading and sub-headings The heading reflects the main theme whereas the sub-headings point out how it has been developed. The selection of proper heading and sub-heading reveals the grasp of the passage by the students. In the absence of proper assimilation of main ideas and subsidiary points it is impossible to make notes. Abbreviations and symbols They are used for precision and economy of words and hence quite helpful in note-making. At least four recognizable abbreviations are to be used in note- making in your board examination. These are essential components of note-making. Students often make use of abbreviations and symbols in doing their written work. Note. Confusing abbreviations should be avoided, e.g., the abbreviation ‘under’ may stand for understand, understood and understanding. Similarly ‘indst’ may stand for industry, industrial, industrious.A. SYMBOLS (a) Universal symbols & for ‘and’ for therefore for because ie, for that is (6) Mathematical symbols > for greater than < for less than = for equal to @ for at the rate of ® for before B. ABBREVIATIONS % — for per cent 100 for Aundred e.g. for for example viz. for namely / for or Abbreviations can be divided into three groups: (a) Acronyms (capital initial letters) (6) Contractions (taking first few letters of the word) (c) Short forms (taking first few and last few letters) STUDY THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES (a) Acronyms. Capital initial letters e.g. CBSE for Central Board of Secondary Education co for Commanding Officer ™ for Chief Minister ‘GPO for General Post Office NCERT for National Council of Educational Research and Training PM for Prime Minister ‘SHO for Station House Officer SP for Superintendent of Police UK for United Kingdom ‘USA for United States of America UNO for United Nations Organisation UNESCO for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation WHO for World Health Organisation (6) Contractions. Taking first few letters of the word eg. Capt. for Captain Rev. for _ Reverend Co. for Company Se. for Science Col. for Colonel Sept. for September dis. for discount Sig. for Signature esp. for especially Soc. for Society fig. for figure Tech. for Technical Hon. for Honorary Tel. for ‘Telegram in. for inch Tele. for Telephone Lab. for Laboratory Univ. for University Lib. for Library (©) Short forms. Taking first and last letters ea: ke for book Pt for Point Dr for Doctor retd for ‘Retired att for draft relgn for —_Religion Dept for Department recd for —_received estd for _ established shd for should ft for foot/feet Std for Standard Govt for Government Stn for Station Ltd for Limited Secy for Secretary Mr for Mister We for Weight Ms for Miss/Mrs Yr for Year Orgzn for Organization Yd for yard.(d) Some other contractions eg. Ale for account: edn for education bldg for building kg for kilogram bks for books m for metre can't for cannot N/A for not applicable civil’zn for — civilization rdng for reading em for centimetre shan't for — shall not Clo for care of won't for —_will not MS for manuscript MS for _—_messers USE OF FULL STOP IN AN ABBREVIATIO! (a) Often a full stop is put after an abbreviation which does not end with the last letter of the word; such as Col. for colonel Co. for company Div. for —_ division info. for _ information (b) The abbreviations that end with the last letter of the word do not require any full stop at the end, such as Govt for government Mr for Mister Ms for Miss Pt for Pandit Dr for Doetor Wrt’g = for ~—writing 10th = for_—Tenth we for weight COMMON SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS because therefore oR consequently and or plus question oR doubt oR possibility greater than less than increase oR improvement decrease OR deterioration etcetera; and so on for example that is EXAMPLES OF WORD TRUNCATION ppl people res research natl national eqn equation ed education gov government dep department esp especially ustand understandNote-Form While making notes the whole information is listed in note-form in points only. Notes should not be written in complete sentences as we can’t remember the whole information. So only the main points are listed one under the other and numbered. It implies the logical division and sub-division of the listed information by using figures, letters, dashes and spaces. All examples and figurative speeches are eliminated. Numbering and indenting / Indentation Indentation means leaving space at the beginning of a line of print or writing. First write the title and then write down the notes in a logical order. From the main headings to the sub-headings, the numbering should be spaced a little to the right. Main Sections : 1, 2, 3, 4, ete., Sub Sections —_: (a), (6), (c), (d), ete. Sub-sub sections : (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), ete. (iii) Indented Format or you may use Decimal System Main Sections: 1, 2, 3, 4, ete. Sub Sections: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, ete. Sub-sub Sections : 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 2.1.1, 2.1.2, ete, FORMAT Title 1. Main point a. sub point i, sub-sub point ii. Sub-sub point 2. Main point a. sub point b. sub point (use abbreviation, short forms, symbols)Marks 1. Note Making (5 Marks): o Title : 1 mark O Numbering andindenting =: 1 mark © Key/glossary : 1 mark © Notes :2 marks Il, Summary (up to 50 words) (3 Marks) © Content :2 marks o Expression : 1 mark How to Write Notes Step1: (i) Read the passage carefully. (ii) Try to get the theme and subject of the passage. You may ask yourself: “What is this passage about?” This will provide you the gist. Step 2 : Read carefully. Identify main ideas and important supporting details. Step 3 : Make notes of the main ideas under headings and add sub-points under sub- headings. Step 4 : Use proper layout/format, e.g., (a) Indented, linear form (b) Sequential form Step 5 : Use recognisable abbreviations wherever possible Sample 1 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: Effective speaking depends on effective listening. It takes energy to concentrate on hearing and to concentrate on understanding what has been heard. Incompetentlisteners fail in a number of ways. First, they may drift. Their attention drifts from what the speaker is saying. Second, they may counter. They find counter-argumentsto whatever a speaker may be saying. Third, they compete. Then, they filter. They exclude from their understanding those parts of the message which do not readily fit with their own frame of reference. Finally, they react. They let personal feelings about a speaker or subject override the significance of the message which is being sent. What can a listener do to be more effective? The first key to effective listening is the art of concentration. If a listener positively wishes to concentrate on receiving a message his chances of success are high. It may need determination. Some speakers are difficult to follow, either because of voice problems or because of the form in which they send a message. There is then a particular need for the determination of a listener to concentrate on what is being said.Concentration is helped by alertness. Mental alertness is helped by physical alertness. It is not simply physical fitness, but also positioning of the body, the limbs and the head. Some people also find it helpful to their concentration if they hold the head slightly to one side. One useful way for achieving this is intensive note-taking, by trying to capture the critical headings and sub-headings the speaker is referring to. Note-taking has been recommended as an aid to the listener. It also helps the speaker. It gives him confidence when he sees that listeners are sufficiently interested to take notes; the patterns of eye-contact when the note-taker looks up can be very positive; and the speaker’s timing is aided-he can see when a note-taker is writing hard and can then make effective use of pauses. Posture too is important. Consider the impact made by a less competentlistener who pushes his chair backwards and slouches. An upright posture helps a listener's concentration. At the same time it is seen by the speaker to be a positive feature amongst his listeners. Effective listening skills have an impact on both the listener and the speaker. (a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using headings and sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary (Minimum 4). Answer: Title: The Art of Effective Listening Notes: 1. Eff, speaking depends on: 1.1 eff. listening 1.2concen. on listening 1.3 concen. on understanding what you hear , Key to Abbreviations: 2. Reasons why incompetent listeners fail: 2.1 their attention drifts Eff. — effective 2.2 they find counter arguments concen. — concentrating 2.3 they compete & then filter msg.— message 2.4. they react reed, ~ received 3. Ways for a listener to be more eff.: phys. — physical 3.1 concen. on the msg. reed. ve = positive 3.1.1 mental alertness impce. ~ importance 3.1.2 phys. alertness-positioning body spkr, - speaker 3.1,3 note-taking-aidto listener helps speaker-gives him confidence encourages the eye contact 4. Impce. of posture 4.1 helps listeners in concen. 4.2 seen by spkr. as a +ve feature among his listeners Sample 2 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: * Conversation is indeed the most easily teachable of all arts. All you need to do in order to become a good conversationalist is to find a subject that interests you and your listeners. There are, for example, numberless hobbies to talk about. But the important thing is that you must talk about other fellow’s hobby rather than your own, Therein lies the secret of your popularity. Talk to your friends about the things that interest them, and you will get a reputation for good fellowship, charming wit, and a brilliant mind. There is nothing that pleases people so much as your interest in their interest.* It is just as important to know what subjects to avoid and what subjects to select for good conversation. If you don’t want to be set down as a wet blanket or a bore, be careful to avoid certain unpleasant subjects. Avoid talking about yourself, unless you are asked to do so. People are interested in their own problems not in yours. Sickness or death bores everybody. The only one who willingly listens to such talk is the doctor, but he gets paid for it. * To be a good conversationalist you must know not only what to say, but how also to say it. Be mentally quick and witty. But don’t hurt others with your wit. Finally try to avoid mannerism in your conversation. Don’t bite your lips or click your tongue, or roll your eyes or use your hands excessively as you speak. * Don’t be like that Frenchman who said, “How can | talk if you hold my hand?” (a) Make notes and the contents of above paragraph in any format, using abbreviations. Supply a suitable title also.( 5 Marks) (b) Make a summary of the passage. (3 Marks) + Answer: Title: The Art of Conversation Notes: 1. Conv’n—most easily tch’ble art (a) Reqd. interest’g subject — hobbies (b) Talk about other fellow’s int./hobby (c) Win’g reptn. as good conversationalist (i) good f'ship (ii) charm’g wit (iii) brl. mind 2. Fit subs, for conversationalist (a) What subs, to avoid/select? (b) Avoid unpl’nt subs. (i) sickness (ii) death(c) Avoid talk’g about self 3. Qualities of a good conversationalist (a) What to say & how to say it (b) ment’y quick & witty (c) pleasant & unhurt’g (d) avoid mannerisms. Abbreviations: Conv'n: conversation tch’ble: teachable Read: required interest’: intersting Wing: winning Reptn: reputation (b) Summary: Conversation is the easiest and the most effective tool than other arts. To have such attractive quality, you need to pick a subject that interest your listeners more than you. Talk to your friends on topics that can indulge your friends in the conversation for a longer period of time. Being a good conversationalist, you have to quick and witty. You should have a pleasant and unhurting quality. Mannerism should be avoided. Sample 3 Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: Research has shown that the human mind can process words at the rate of about 500 per minute, whereas a speaker speaks at the rate of about 150 words a minute. The difference between the two at 350 is quite large. So a speaker must make every effort to retain the attention of the audience and the listener should also be careful not to let his mind wander. Good communication calls for good listening skills. A good speaker must necessarily be a good listener. Listening starts with hearing but goes beyond. Hearing, in other words is necessary but is not a sufficient condition for listening. Listening involves hearing with attention. Listening is a process that calls for concentration. While, listening, one should also be observant. In other words, listening has to do with the ears, as well as with the eyes and the mind. Listening is to be understood as the total process that involves hearing with attention, being observant and making interpretations. Good communication is essentially an interactive process. It calls for participation and involvement. It is quite often a dialogue rather than a monologue. It is necessary to be interested and also show or make it abundantly clear that one is interested in knowing what the other person has to say.Good listening is an art that can be cultivated. It relates to skills that can be developed. A good listener knows the art of getting much more than what the speaker is trying to convey. He knows how to prompt, persuade but not to cut off or interrupt what the other person has to say. At times the speaker may or may not be coherent, articulate and well organised in his thoughts and expressions. He may have it in his mind and yet he may fail to marshal the right words while communicating his thought. Nevertheless, a good listener puts him at ease, helps him articulate and facilitates him to get across the message that he wants to convey. For listening to be effective, it is also necessary that barriers to listening are removed. Such barriers can be both physical and psychological. Physical barriers generally relate to hindrances to proper hearing whereas psychological barriers are more fundamental and relate to the interpretation and evaluation of the speaker and the message. (a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes in points only, using abbreviations wherever necessary. Supply a suitable title. (5 marks) Answer: Title: The Art of Good Listening and Speaking Notes: 1. Research has shown: 1.1 human mind processes words @ 500/ min. 1.2. spkr. speaks @ 150 words/min. 1.3. large diff. b/ w the two —at 350. 2. Essentials to being a good spkr. & listener: 2.1 spkr, should be able to retain aud, attention, 2.2 listener should not let his mind wander. 2.3 a good spkr. must be a good listener also, 3. Listening skills: 3.1. start with hearing - tho’ it is not a sufficient condition 3.2 involve hearing with attention 3.2.1 being observant 3.2.2 using one’s ears, eyes & mind 3.2.3. calls for participation & involvement 3.3 Itis dial, rather than monologue. 4. Good listening is an art: 4.1 can be cultivated & its skills can be developed 4.2 A good listener knows 4.2.1 how to get much more than what spkr. wants to convey 4.2.2to be prompt, persuade without interruption 4.3 A good listener 4.3.1 puts spkr. at ease Key: List of Abbreviations 4.3.2 helps him articulate @ -atthe rate of 4.3.3 facilitates him to get across msg. he wants to convey {per 3 min.—minute 5. Barriers to listening spike, - speaker 5.1 phys. diff. - difference 5.1.1 relating to hindrances to proper listening b/w— between aud.—audience 5.2 Psycho. onineceh 5.2.1 more fundamental &-and 5.2.2 related to interpretation & evaluation of spkr. and msg. dial,— dialogue msg. ~ message phys. ~ physical psycho. - psychological 5.3 These barriers must be removed.