Note making and summarising

What is note making and summarising?

Note making and summarising is a crucial skill that helps us in academics. The function
of notes is to filter the important information and help us retain it. It also makes it easier
for us to refer to the important points in future.
In CBSE, the note-making and summarising question consists of two parts. First,
students are asked to prepare notes from the given passage which they are required to
convert into a summary in the second part of the question.

Importance of Note making and summarising

1. It transforms the entire set of information into a manageable size.
2. It includes the key points which make it more readable.
3. It helps in better understanding of the concept.
4. It aids quick revision during exam time.

Marking scheme for Note making and summarising

As prescribed by the CBSE, the word limit for note-making and summarization for
classes 11 and 12 should be 200-250 words.

The question is a total of 8 marks with the following bifurcation:

5 Marks
1. Note Making

1. Title 1 Mark

2. Numbering and indenting 1 Mark

3. Key/ Glossary 1 Mark

4. Notes 2 Marks

3 Marks
1. Summarizing (up to 50 words)

1. Content 2 Marks

2. Expression 1 Mark

TOTAL 8 Marks

Note Making Format

 Taking notes is a method of organising and summarising data from multiple sources. The
following components make up the standard note-taking format:
 TITLE: The title of your notes should reflect their main subject matter.
 SOURCE: Identify the notes’ source, such as the book, article, or lecture, in the text.
 CURRENT DATE: When taking notes, be sure to include the current date.
 TITLES & SUB TITLES: Take advantage of headings and subheadings to structure
your notes and facilitate later research.
 USE BULLETS: Use bullet points to highlight key points and specifics in a list. Use
simple, direct language, and zero in on the most important ideas rather than trying to
include everything.
 USE ABBREVIATIONS: When taking notes, abbreviations can help you save time
and space. Use “w/” instead of “with” or “b/c” instead of “because,” etc.
 HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANT POINTS: Utilize highlighting to draw attention to specific
points or single out specific pieces of information that are crucial to your
understanding of the whole.
 USE DIAGRAMS/VISUAL AIDS: Use visual aids, such as flowcharts or graphs, to
break down and internalise information that might otherwise be difficult to grasp and
retain.
 SUMMARISE: Write a brief paragraph or two summarising the main ideas and
information from the notes. This is a great way to quickly review and recall the most
crucial points.
 REVIEW: Regularly reviewing your notes is an excellent way to ensure that you
retain the most crucial information from the course.
(Title)
Note Format example-
1.
1.1 (sub-points)
1.2
1.3
2.
2.1
2.2
2.3
3.
3.1
3.2
3.2.1 (sub-sub points)
3.2.2
4.
4.1
4.2

Key to Abbreviations
1
2
3
4
5

Summary
Summary (Heading)–Body–

Points to remember- Note making and summarising

 Select only the relevant data and include only the essential phrases from the
passage.
 Try to use a minimum amount of words. Complete sentences would not be accepted
as notes. Thus, the usage of full sentences must be avoided.
 Only really important examples need to be included.
 Eliminate the use of auxiliary verbs, prepositions etc.
 It is necessary to give a suitable title to notes and maintain proper indentation.
 It is mandatory to make at least four headings and subheadings.
 The summary should be brief and should be made using notes prepared. It is
important that one keeps in mind the word limit of the summary and strictly adheres
to the notes.
 It is mandatory to include at least four abbreviations in your notes. Add a full stop
after each abbreviation to make it clear for the reader. They should be common and
easily identifiable. For example- “carbs.” for carbohydrates
 It is necessary to prepare a key to abbreviations (minimum four) and enclose it within
a box.
 The presentation of this writing skill is of utmost importance.

Examples as per Previous Years Question Papers

Example 1: Read the passage given below:(Sample Question Paper CBSE, 2019-20)

BALANCING THE SCALES

Artificial intelligence (AI) is making a difference to how legal work is done, but it isn’t the
threat it is made out to be. AI is making impressive progress and shaking up things all
over the world today. The assumption that advancements in technology and artificial
intelligence will render any profession defunct is just that, an assumption and a false one.
The only purpose this assumption serves is creating mass panic and hostility towards
embracing technology that is meant to make our lives easier.
Let us understand what this means explicitly for the legal world. The ambit of AI includes
recognizing human speech and objects, making decisions based on data, and translating
languages. Tasks that can be defined as ‘search-and-find’ type can be performed by AI.
Introducing AI to this profession will primarily be for the purpose of automating mundane,
tedious tasks that require negligible human intelligence. The kind of artificial intelligence
that is employed by industries in the current scene, when extended to the law will enable
quicker services at a lower price. AI is meant to automate a number of tasks that take up
precious working hours lawyers could be devoted to tasks that require discerning,
empathy, and trust- qualities that cannot be replicated by even the most sophisticated
form of AI. The legal profession is one of the oldest professions in the world. Thriving
over 1000 years; trust, judgement, and diligence are the pillars of this profession. The
most important pillar is the relationship of trust between a lawyer and clients, which can
only be achieved through human connection and interaction.
While artificial intelligence can be useful in scanning and organizing documents
pertaining to a case, it cannot perform higher-level tasks such as sharp decisionmaking,
relationship-building with valuable clients and writing legal briefs, advising clients, and
appearing in court. These are over and above the realm of computerization.
The smooth proceeding of a case is not possible without sound legal research. While
presenting cases lawyers need to assimilate information in the form of legal research by
referring to a number of relevant cases to find those that will favour their client’s motion.
Lawyers are even required to thoroughly know the opposing stand and supporting legal
arguments they can expect to prepare a watertight defence strategy. AI, software that
operates on natural language enables electronic discovery of information relevant to a
case, contract reviews, and automation generation of legal documents.
AI utilizes big-data analytics which enables visualization of case data. It also allows for
creation of a map of the cases which were cited in previous cases and their resulting
verdicts, as per the website Towards Data Science. The probability of a positive outcome
of a case can be predicted by leveraging predictive analytics with machine learning. This
is advantageous to firms as they can determine the return on investment in litigation and
whether an agreement or arbitration should be considered.

(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it
using headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever
necessary- minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an
appropriate title to it. (5)
(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3)

SAMPLE NOTE MAKING FORMAT FOR ABOVE QUESTION

Solution 1:
Artificial Intelligence: Not a threat
1. Not a threat
1.1 is of help
1.2 makes life easier
1.3 no profession defunct
2. AI.will help legal field
2.1 recog.human speech and object
2.2 making decisions based on data
2.3 translates langs.
2.4 do search and find tasks
3. AI. cannot perform high level tasks like
3.1 writing legal briefs
3.2 advising clients
3.3 apprng in courts
3.4 sharp decision making
4. Function of AI.
4.1 collates data
4.2 predicts probable outcomes
4.3 tells return on invest.
4.4 considering agreement or arbitration

Key to Abbreviations

Abbreviations Words

AI Artificial Intelligence

recog. recognises

langs. languages

apprng. appearing

invt. investment

Suggested Summary as per CBSE

Summary
Artificial Intelligence: Not a threat
Artificial Intelligence is not a threat but makes life easier especially in the legal field. It
cannot perform certain high-level tasks like writing legal briefs, advising clients, making
sharp decisions and appearing in courts but it can collate data, aid research and
decisions based on data. It can recognize human speech and translate languages. It can
also predict probable outcomes, tell return on investment, consider agreement or
arbitration and is thus advantageous to legal firms.

Example 2: Read the passage given below: (Sample Question Paper CBSE, 2017-18)

1. Colour Therapy is a complementary therapy for which there is evidence dating back
thousands of years to the ancient cultures of Egypt, China and India. If we define it in
simple terms, Colour is a light of varying wavelengths, thus each colour has its own
particular wavelength and energy.
2. Colours contribute to energy. This energy may be motivational and encouraging. Each
of the seven colours of the spectrum are associated with energy. The energy relating to
each of the seven spectrum colours of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet,
resonates with the energy of each of the seven main chakras/energy centres of the body.
Colour therapy can help to re-balance and/or stimulate these energies by applying the
appropriate colour to the body.
3. Red relates to the base chakra, orange the sacral chakra, yellow the solar plexus
chakra, green the heart chakra, blue the throat chakra, indigo the brow chakra
(sometimes referred to as the third eye) and violet relates to the crown chakra.
4. Colour is absorbed by the eyes, skin, skull, our ‘magnetic energy field’ or aura and the
energy of colour affects us on all levels, that is to say, physical, spiritual and emotional.
Every cell in the body needs light energy – thus colour energy has widespread effects on
the whole body. There are many different ways of giving colour, including; Solarised
Water, Light boxes/lamps with colour filters, colour silks and hands on healing using
colour.
5. Colour therapy can be shown to help on a physical level, which is perhaps easier to
quantify, however there are deeper issues around the colours on the psychological and
spiritual levels. Our wellbeing is not, of course, purely a physical issue. Fortunately, many
more practitioners, both orthodox and complementary, are now treating patients in a
holistic manner.
6. Colour Therapy is a totally holistic and non-invasive therapy and, really, colour should
be a part of our everyday life, not just something we experience for an hour or two with a
therapist. Colour is all around us everywhere. This wonderful planet does not contain all
the beautiful colours of the rainbow for no reason. Nothing on this earth is here just by
chance; everything in nature is here for a purpose. Colour is no exception. All we need to
do is to heighten our awareness of the energy of colour, absorb it and see how it can
transform our lives.

a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it

using headings and sub- headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever
necessary-minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an
appropriate title to it. (5)
(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3)
Solution 2:
NOTE MAKING FORMAT FOR ABOVE QUESTION
Colour Therapy
1. Age old therapy
1.1 Found in
1.1.1 Egypt
1.1.2 China
1.1.3 India
1.2 light of vryng wvlngth & energy
2. Colour relate to energy of chakras
2.1 red –base
2.2 orange – sacral
2.3 yellow – solar plexus
2.4 green – heart
2.5 blue – throat
2.6 indigo – brow
2.7 violet – crown
3. Holistic benefits
3.1 phy’l
3.2 spirit’l
3.3 emtn’l
Key to Abbreviations

Abbreviations Words

vryng varying

wvlngth wavelength

& and

phy’l physical

spirit’l spiritual

emtin’l emotional

Summary
Colour Therapy
Colour therapy is an age-old therapy found in the cultures of Egypt, China and India.
Each colour has light of varying wavelength and energy. Colours relate to the energy of
chakras. Red is for base chakra, orange to sacral, yellow to solar plexus, green to heart,
blue to throat, indigo to brow and violet to crown. Colour impacts us on all levels,
including the physical, spiritual and emotional well being. Colour therapy has holistic
benefits.

Example 3: . Read the passage and answer the questions given below: (Sample
Question Paper CBSE, 2018-19)
1. There is a clear dichotomy between Jayashankar Prasad’s daily life and the one that
found expression in his literature. In his literary formulations, Prasad advocated an
escape- from personality ideals and categorically stated: “An artist‟s art, and not his
person, is the touchstone to assess his work . . . it is only after losing his personality that
he emerges in his art as an artist”.
2. In Prasad‟s works – his poems, short stories, novels, dramas etc. – what emerges is
life as shaped in the writer’s inner self by his emotions, fancies, dreams, reveries . . . His
writings are a record not of outer reality, but of the artist’s inner world. As such, of a
proper appreciation and understanding of his works more emphasis needs to be placed
on the working of his mind, than the events of his dayto-day life.
3. Prasad was born in a renowned family of Varanasi. His grand-father Shiv RatanSahu,
a dealer in high quality perfumed tobacco (snuff). Besides being an astute businessman,
he was endowed with a marked cultural taste. His home was the meeting place of the
local poets, singers, artists, scholars and men of religion. Prasad‟s father Devi Prasad
Sahu carried forward this high tradition of family. Prasad, therefore, had a chance to
study the various phases of human nature in the light of the business traditions, artistic
taste and religious background of his family.

4. When the business had somewhat recovered, Prasad planned the publication of a
literary journal. Prasad started the “Indu”. The inaugural number appeared in July 1909.
By this time Prasad’s notions of literature had crystallized into a credo. In the first issue of
Indu, he proclaimed, “Literature has no fixed aim; it is not a slave to rules; it is a free and
all-embracing genius, gives birth to genuine literature which is subservient to none.
Whatever in the world is true and beautiful is its subject matter. By dealing with the True
and Beautiful it establishes the one and affects the full flowering of the others. Its force
can be measured by the degree of pleasure it gives to the reader‟s mind as also by the
criticism which is free of all prejudice”. The words sound like the manifesto of
romanticism in literature.
5. Even while recognizing the social relevance of literature, Prasad insisted, “The poet is
a creator . . . he is not conditioned by his milieu; rather it is he who moulds it and gives it
a new shape; he conjures up a new world of beauty where the reader for the time being,
becomes oblivious of the outer world and passes his time in an eternal spring garden
where golden lotuses blossom and the air is thick and pollen”. Thus, the chief aim of
literature according to Prasad is to give joy to the reader and to create a state of bliss in
him. Later under the impact of Shiv Advaitism, this faith of Prasad got further
strengthened.
(Extract from ‘Jayashankar Prasad- His mind and Art’ by Dr. Nagendra)

(a) On the basis of your understanding of the above passage, make notes on it
using headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever
necessary-minimum four) and a format you consider suitable. Also supply an
appropriate title to it. (5)
(b) Write a summary of the passage in about 80 words. (3)
Solution 3:
Jayashankar Prasad- His life
1. His exprsn. in lit.
1.1 an escape
1.2 lose your personality
1.3 record of writer’s inner world
1.4 more emphsz. on mind than body
2. Personal life
2.1 renowned fam. of Varanasi
2.2 home- meeting place of the local poets, singers
2.3 grand-father- an astute businessman
2.4 had a chance to study phases of human nature
3. Started the “Indu”
3.1 in July 1909
3.2 proclaimed
a) lit. has no fixed aim
b) is free and all embracing genius
c) gives birth to genuine lit.
4. Social relevance of lit.
4.1 poet is a creator
4.2 moulds it
4.3 conjures up a new world of beauty
4.4 becomes oblivious of the outer world
5. Chief aim of lit.
5.1 give joy to the reader
5.2 create a state of bliss
Key to Abbreviations
Abbreviations Words

lit. literature

emphsz. emphasize

exprsn. expression

fam. family
Jayashankar Prasad- His life
Jayshankar Prasad found expression in literature and created an escape only after losing
his personality. His writings are a record of the writer’s inner world with more emphasis
on mind than body. He was from a renowned family of Varanasi where home-meetings of
poets and singers would take place. His grandfather was an astute businessman and
therefore Prasad had a chance to study phases of human nature. In July 1909, he started
‘Indu’, in which he proclaimed that literature has no fixed aim, is free and all embracing
genius and gives birth to genuine literature. He recognised the social relevance of
literature as the poet is the creator who mould it, conjures up a new world and becomes
oblivious to the outer world. The chief aim of literature is to give joy to the reader and
create a state of bliss.

Example 4: Read the following passage: (Question Paper CBSE, 2020)

1. How does television affect our lives? It can be very helpful to people who carefully
choose the shows that they watch. Television can increase our knowledge of the outside
world; there are high quality programmes that help us understand many fields of study,
science, medicine, the different arts and so on. Moreover, television benefits very old
people, who can’t leave the house, as well as patients in hospitals. It also offers non-
native speakers the advantage of daily informal language practice. They can increase
their vocabulary and practise listening.
2. On the other hand, there are several serious disadvantages of television. Of course, it
provides us with a pleasant way to relax and spend our free time, but in some countries
people watch television for an average of six hours or more a day. Many children stare at
the TV screen for more hours a day than they spend on anything else, including studying
and sleeping. It’s clear that TV has a powerful influence on their lives and that its
influence is often negative.
3. Recent studies show that after only thirty seconds of television viewing, a person’s
brain ‘relaxes’ the same way that it does just before the person falls asleep. Another
effect of television on the human brain is that it seems to cause poor concentration.
Children who view a lot of television can often concentrate on a subject for only fifteen to
twenty minutes. They can pay attention only for the amount of time between
commercials.
4. Another disadvantage is that television often causes people to become dissatisfied
with their own lives. Real life does not seem so exciting to these people. To many people,
television becomes more real than reality and their own lives seem boring. Also many
people get upset or depressed when they can’t solve problems in real life as quickly as
television actors seem to.
5. Before a child is fourteen years old, he or she views eleven thousand murders on the
TV. He or she begins to believe that there is nothing strange about fights, killings and
other kinds of violence. Many studies show that people become more violent after
viewing certain programmes. They may even do the things that they see in a violent
show.

(a) One the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using
headings and subheadings. Use recognizable abbreviations (minimum four) and a
format you consider suitable. Supply a suitable title to it. (5)
(b) Make a summary of the above passage in about 80 words. (3)
Solution 4:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Watching Television
1. Benefits
1.1 increases know.
1.1.1 of outside world
1.1.2 science
1.1.3 medicine
1.1.4 diff. Arts
1.2 recreation for old ppl. & patients
1.3 informal lang. practice
1.4 increases vocab. & helps practise listening
2. Disadvantages
2.1 ppl. watch for 6 hrs. or more
2.2 students stare at screen for hrs.
2.3 negative influence
2.4 effect on human brain
2.4.1 poor conc.
3. Impact
3.1 feels life not very exciting
3.2 TV more real, life seems boring
3.3 depression when can’t solve problems
4. Violence shown on TV
4.1 children become violent
4.2 killings seem normal
Key to Abbreviations

Abbreviations Words
ppl. people

know. knowledge

& and

diff. different

vocab. vocabulary

lang. language

hrs. hours

conc. concentration

TV television

Summary
Advantages and Disadvantages of Watching Television
Watching television increases knowledge of the outside world, science, medicine and
different arts. It helps old people and patients to recreate. It assists in informal language
practice, improving vocabulary and practise listening. However, watching television for
more than six hours and staring on screens has a negative influence on students. It
affects the human brain and leads to poor concentration. Television makes life boring
and nothing feels exciting. People can feel depressed when they are unable to solve
problems as quickly as actors do. Television normalises violence which can make
children violent.
Example 5: Read the passage given below: (Question Paper, CBSE 2019)

1. Well-being is not just the absence of disease or illness. It is a complex combination of

a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social health factors. Well-being is strongly
linked to happiness and life satisfaction. In short, it could be described as how one feels
about oneself and one’s life. Every aspect of one’s life influences the state of one’s well-
being. Researchers investigating happiness have found the following factors which
enhance a person’s well-being : network of close friends, enjoyable and fulfilling career,
enough money, regular exercise, nutritious diet, sufficient sleep, fun hobbies and leisure
pursuits, healthy self-esteem, optimistic outlook and so on.
2. The factors that influence one’s well-being are interrelated. For example, a job
provides not just money but purpose, goals, friendships and a sense of belonging. Some
factors also make up for the lack of others; for example, a good marriage can
compensate for a lack of friendship, while religious beliefs may help a person to accept
physical illness. Money is linked to well-being, because having enough money improves
living conditions and increases social status. But various international studies have
shown that it is the quality of our personal relationships, not the size of our bank balance,
which has the greatest effect on our state of well-being. Believing that money is the key
to happiness can also harm a person’s well-being.
3. Understanding the well-being of the population is very important. Measuring well-
being, however, in a population is difficult because the interpretation of well-being is so
subjective — how one feels about peoples’ lives largely depends on the way one sees it.
Like the saying goes: ‘one person’s problem is another person’s challenge.’
4. Keeping track of a population’s well-being helps governments to decide on particular
policies. It also acts as an indicator for various population trends. For example, knowing
the average weekly income of a population helps to set the ‘poverty line’, which may then
influence decisions on social welfare reforms. Well-being can be achieved through a
variety of means. Some are as follows : developing and maintaining strong relationships
with family and friends, making regular time available for social contact, trying to find
work that is enjoyable and rewarding, rather than just working for the best pay, eating
healthy, nutritious foods, doing regular physical activity, involving oneself in activities that
interest the people, joining in local organisations or clubs that appeal, setting achievable
goals and working towards them and trying to be optimistic and enjoying each day.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it using
recognizable abbreviations (minimum four), wherever necessary. Use a format you
consider suitable. Give it a suitable title also. (5)
(b) Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words. (3)
Solution 5:
Well Being
1. Definition of WB
1.1 absence of disease & illness
1.2 combination of physical, emotional & health factors
1.3 strongly linked to happiness & satisfaction
2. factors which improve WB
2.1 network of close friends
2.2 enjoyable, fulfilling career
2.3 enough money, good health
2.4 religious beliefs
3. Imp. of understanding people’s WB
3.1 helps govt. frame good policies
3.2 helps determine poverty line
3.3 helps take appropriate action
4. How best achieved
4.1 having strong relationship with family & friends.
4.2 enjoyable, rewarding work
4.3 involvement in interesting activities
4.4 nutritious food & good health
Key to Abbreviations

Abbreviations Words

WB Well being

Imp. Importance

govt. government

& and

Summary
Well Being
Well- being not just refers to absence of disease and illness, rather it is a combination of
physical, emotional and health factors. Well being is strongly linked to happiness and
satisfaction. The factors that improve well being include a network of close friends,
enjoyable and fulfilling career, money, good health and religious beliefs. It is important to
understand people’s well being to frame government policies which would further help to
determine the poverty line and take appropriate action. Well-being is best achieved by
having strong relationships with family and friends, doing enjoyable and rewarding work,
involvement in interesting activities and eating nutritious food for good health.