Doc Whiz's
NOTE TAKING SKILLS:

Your Memory on Paper

In case you have not run across it yet, a lot of information that is provided in class is provided through lecture. Some students, when they take notes, try to take down every word verbatim; this is referred to as 'speciman description.' In essence, you are writing down every word that is said in the lecture. Tape recorders are much more efficient in doing this and do not wear out your hand. Realize that if you want a speciman description and use a tape recorder for a 45 minute lecture, you have a 45 minute tape which will require 45 minutes of your time to hear.

It is a fact that people tend to remember that which was first said and that which was last said that is the principles of recency and latency.

Since you cannot write down everything that is said, you have to develop a strategy for identifying what should be taken down. There is an art to note taking.

Basic Rules in Taking Notes

• Try to ignore the lecture mannerisms of the instructor.
• Some are so poor you count the number of times they say 'uh'.
• Some are so captivating that you forget to take notes.
• Avoid trying to make eye contact with your class mates or trying to pick up a date.

Many profs speak from lecture outlines. Therefore, it is more logical to take your notes in an outline format for those type of lectures.

1. Topic sentence
2. Explanation of topic
3. Illustration
4. Supportive sentences
5. Summary sentences
6. Transition sentences.

Get into the habit of paraphrasing. It fosters active participation in listening as well as putting the ideas into your own words which you might find meaningful.

What Should Be "Noted"?
Identifying what is important.

Anytime a prof

• mentions something two or more times you should consider it to be somewhat important.
  
• emphasizes a term two or more times you should asterisk it.
  
• writes it on the board
  
• general body activity increases such as arm waving or pointing the finger in the air, voice inflection changes, pace changes
  
• pounds on the lectern
• does something physical to emphasize what he or she is saying.

Format for Taking Notes:

Full Page Format

Many people start their notes off with the date and continue to write on the pages until the lecture is over then start the next day's notes with the date immediately following the previous day's notes. A suggestion is to always start a new day's notes on a new page.

Secondly, if you miss a class, skip a couple of pages in your notebook putting the date of the class on the first blank page and then use these pages later when you get the notes from someone else. If you have some pages left over, remove them.

Vertical Half Page Format

Some people divide their pages in half vertically and write their notes in the left hand portion leaving the right blank. This is done so that when they study their notes later on or find gaps in their note taking they can fill in the gaps or write notes in the right hand side of the page.

Wide Margins or Gutter Format

Another popular format is to put the margin on the left and right hand sides of the page and write notes down the center or in the gutter, making their comments in the left or right margins later when they study.

Rewriting Notes

Many people rewrite their notes. After they have made comments on the notes they have taken in class they will then rewrite the notes as a means to review as well as study the lectures.

There are some sound principles behind rewriting one's notes.

1. Rewriting and paraphrasing helps you learn the material in a way that is important for you. Summarize, limit and integrate information.
2. The act of writing and the more senses that are involved help you remember and learn the content covered.
3. You will be able to perfect, complete and organize the material into a single set so that all the information you will need will be in one place.
4. Rewriting is a very effective form of recitation to maximize retention.
5. As you write and rewrite notes you always try to ask the question, why is this important? If you know why it is important, it will be that much more meaningful to you to learn.

Last Words on Notes

Never,

Never,

Never,

Never,

Not having notes is no excuse. You are responsible for what is presented in class.