Lesson 4 — Activity 2: Taking Notes
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Lesson 4 — Activity 2: Taking Notes
Taking notes in school or at work is a very useful way to remember information, whether you are listening to someone speak or reading something new. It is especially important to be an active listener if you want your notes to be accurate.
When you are taking notes, you should remember that most messages will be organized in the same way that a paragraph is organized.
If you keep this in mind, then you will know that you do not have to write down everything that you hear or read. For example, if you are listening to someone talking, you can watch the speaker and listen for keywords. These words will give you clues about the most important points you need to remember.
When you are taking notes, you should remember that most messages will be organized in the same way that a paragraph is organized.
- This means that there will be one main idea supported by several points. To conclude, the speaker or writer will end with a summary of the main idea.
If you keep this in mind, then you will know that you do not have to write down everything that you hear or read. For example, if you are listening to someone talking, you can watch the speaker and listen for keywords. These words will give you clues about the most important points you need to remember.
Taking notes is easier if you keep some of these ideas in mind:
- What is the topic? You only need to take notes that relate to the topic.
- What clues are we given that important ideas are being mentioned?
Both speakers and writers use keywords:
- relating to order such as first, second, third, finally
- relating to importance such as especially, above all, significantly
Both speakers and writers will emphasize important points:
- by their tone of voice
- by highlighting, underlining, or italicizing the print
Both speakers and writers may point out important ideas:
- by asking questions
- by using main points as titles or headings