NOTEMAKING
What is it?
• Writing down in an easy and crisp manner information in lectures or
works read.
• Method of synthesizing information and making it accessible to revise
or revisit at a later date.
• Record only the essence, the bare points
Why make notes?
• Large body of knowledge to assimilate
• Limited memory
• Extract key information
• Help us remember information
• Easy to revise/revisit
• Saves time
• Helps us understand and clarify
• Very important for students especially during exams
• Helps organize the points
• Writing in your own words helps with clarity
• Distinguishes between main points and details
Heading: Main idea
Subheading: subdivision of the main topic
Point: Below the subheading, some of the main points
Sub-subheading: below the points to show further
categories, types, advantages,etc.
Keys and keywords: Use abbreviations but provide a
key
Key – will have the abbreviations, symbols, and codes
used in the note making
Abbreviations: acceptable to use abbreviations, but
use them sparingly. Common symbols like, %, @, &, #
are accepted
[Link]
reporting/note-making/styles/
Process
• Read the passage carefully
• Underline the main points
• Make a rough draft
• Organize in a logical order
• Do not change the idea or message of the passage
Keep in mind
• Do not use long sentences as headings or titles
• Ignore information that is not important
• Be brief, clear, and specific
• Use logical sequencing
• Do not include your views or new points that are not present in the
text
• Use a period after an abbreviation
