How to Take Notes

The purpose of note-taking is to summarize information in your own words so you can study or research effectively.

• Make notes of the key points of what you have read.

• Do not copy directly from your textbook or from a webpage. Instead, summarize the ideas into your own words.
  

Tips for Making Effective Notes

• When taking notes from a book, read the chapter titles and the introductory and summary paragraphs before reading the chapter.

• Try to get the big picture by identifying the main ideas.

• Make notes of important information in outline form or in a new file on your word processor.

• Always use your own words, but if you quote the author, give him or her credit. (See Tutorial 12: How to Cite References.)

• Use as few words as possible—but keep it clear!

• Include diagrams, charts, and maps in your notes.

• Write terms on index cards with definitions on the back. Get someone to quiz you.

• Illustrate terms with simple pictures as a memory aid.

• Group and regroup the information (look for similarities, differences, and patterns).

• Find links between pieces of information.

• Make graphic organizers of the information.

Graphic Organizers

• Graphic organizers allow you to "see" how important points of factual information are related while putting your notes into words that you can understand.

Five Examples of Graphic Organizers:

You choose which best suits your learning style.