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Techniques for NotetakersThe first step for good notetaking is good listening. To get the most out of lecture, you must listen actively. Good listening requires alertness. In class, assume a position of mental alertness. A slouch is not conducive to good notetaking. Also, many students pay closer attention if they sit near the lecturer; this is especially important for those with visual or hearing difficulties. Maintain a proper mental attitude. Try to learn all you can; even "dull" subjects become interesting once you are involved. Do not be distracted by the speaker's mannerisms, his method of delivery, or the quality of his voice. Concentrate on what the speaker says, not on oddities of delivery or platform behavior. Listen with your mind, not your emotions. If the speaker uses a word you don't like, or makes a point contrary to your beliefs, don't stop listening. Rehearsing rebuttals prevents you from hearing additional, perhaps qualifying, comments. Attend lectures faithfully. If you're going to miss a class call the student. Also, find a possible substitute from the class who would share their notes one day. Take organized notes; keep the note pages clear, simple and uncluttered (i.e. do not use arrows to recall an idea or doodles etc.). It is very important to take notes that are not busy or overcrowded on the paper; more paper is better than less. Make your notes complete and clear enough so that they will have meaning for you weeks and months later. You need not write in full sentences since notetaking is a process of selection, condensation and compression. Strive to get the main ideas down. Facts, details, and examples are important but they are meaningful only with concepts. WRITE LEGIBLY, this will allow you to review your notes with understanding and ease. Leave blanks for words, phrases or ideas you think you may have missed. Directly after the lecture, ask the instructor or a fellow student to help you fill the gaps. Record notes in paragraphs, skipping lines to separate information logically. Develop your own system of enumeration and indentation. Don't indent so far that you are crowded into a small area. Develop abbreviations and fragments of common words and recurring terms. This will give you more time both to listen and to write. Use a symbol (i.e. asterisk, underline) to mark key words and phrases the lecturer emphasizes. Mark off assignments that are mixed in with the lecture. Similarly, note any books or other references the lecturer mentions; these will be valuable guides to further reading. Be alert for clues. Often an instructor will say, "You'll see this later," or "This is important," or "This is a common pitfall." Following such clues, note important statements with an asterisk or other symbol in the margin. Watch for words such as "finally," "therefore," or "furthermore," any of which may warn that an important point is about to be presented. Listen for other transitional words, phrases or sentences which may signal the end of one main idea and the beginning of another. Always record the lecturer's examples. They often clarify abstract ideas. Indicate the fact that they are examples; e.g., Ex. Pay as close attention to the end of a lecture as to the beginning. Lecturers do not always pace themselves accurately, and may cram half the content into the last five or ten minutes. Record such packed finales as rapidly as you can, and if necessary, stay in your seat for a few extra minutes to write down as much as you can remember. Try to recreate and label visual drawings correctly. Like all techniques, those for listening and notetaking improve with practice.
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Disability Resource Center |
