handout 2.1

• Note-taking


  The practice of writing down or otherwise recording key points of information
• The Cornell Method


  • Provides a systematic format for condensing and organizing notes without laborious recopying
  • Use the left-hand space to label each idea and detail with a key word or "cue"

  
• The Cornell Method


  1. Rule your paper with a 2 ½ inch margin on the left leaving a six-inch area on the right

  2. During class, take down information on the six-inch area

  3. After class, complete phrases and sentences as much as possible

  4. For every significant bit of information, write a cue in the left margin

  5. To review, cover your notes with a card, leaving the cues exposed
• The Cornell Method


  • Organized and systematic for recording and reviewing notes
  • Easy format for pulling out major concept and ideas
  • Simple and efficient
  • Saves time and effort
  • "Do-it-right-in-the-first-place" system

  
• The Outlining Method


  Dash or indented outlining is usually best except for some science classes such as physics or math
• The Outlining Method


  1. The most general information begins at the left with each more specific group of facts indented with spaces to the right

  2. The relationships between the different parts is carried out through indenting

  3. No number, letter, or Roman numeral needed
• The Outlining Method


  • Well-organized system if done right
  • Outlining records content as well as relationships
  • It also reduces editing and is easy to review by turning main points into questions
• The Outlining Method

  • Requires more thought in class for accurate organization
  • May not show relationships by sequence when needed
  • It doesn't lend to diversity of a review attach for maximum learning and question application
  • Cannot be used if the lecture is too fast
• The Mapping Method


  • A graphic representation of the content of a lecture
  • Maximizes active participation, affords immediate knowledge as to its understanding, and emphasizes critical thinking
• The Mapping Method


  • Helps you to visually track your lecture regardless of conditions
  • Little thinking is needed and relationships can easily be seen
  • Easy to edit your notes by adding numbers, marks, and color coding
  • Review will call for you to restructure thought processes which will force you to check understanding
  • Main points can be written on flash or note cards and pieced together into a table or larger structure at a later date
• The Mapping Method


  • You may not hear changes in content from major points to facts
• The Charting Method


  If the lecture format is distinct (such as chronological), you may set up your paper by drawing columns and labeling appropriate headings in a table
• The Charting Method


  1. Determine the categories to be covered in the lecture

  2. Set up your paper in advance by columns headed by these categories

  3. As you listen to the lecture, record information (words, phrases, main ideas, etc.) into the appropriate category
• The Charting Method


  • Helps you track conversation and dialogues where you would normally be confused and lose out on relevant content
  • Reduces amount of writing necessary
  • Provides easy review mechanism for both memorization of facts and study of comparisons and relationships
• The Sentence Method


  • Slightly more organized than the paragraph
  • Gets more or all of the information
  • Thinking to tract content is still limited
• The Sentence Method


  • Can't determine major/minor points from the numbered sequence
  • Difficult to edit without having to rewrite by clustering points which are related
  • Difficult to review unless editing cleans up relationship