Tips for Note Taking

Before Taking Notes

• Review your previous notes
• Read your textbook assignment BEFORE class
• Sit near the front and center of the room
• Avoid distractions like doorways, windows, peers
• Bring two pens and a highlighter to class
• Have a good supply of loose-leaf, lined paper, not spiral notebooks
• Become more proficient in note taking by listening to the TV News and taking notes

While Taking Notes

• Write down the title of the lecture, name of course, date
• Write notes on one side of the page only
• Be alert to speaker emphasis through:
  • Tone or gesture
  • Repetition, listing or numbering main points
  • Use of cue words such as: remember, most important, etc.
  • Illustrations on board
  • Reference to text
  • Note new terms or vocabulary words
• Do not try to transcribe notes verbatim
• Paraphrase whenever possible; put notes in your own words
• Use abbreviations
• Use indentions to separate important details from less important ones
• Leave blank spaces if you miss information
• Mark major points with a star, underline, or use an arrow
• Mark confusing points with a question mark as a reminder to ask professor
• Mark examples used during the lecture with "EX"
• Leave plenty of white space for later additions or corrections

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