PAPERmaking! g FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF PAPER TECHNOLOGY Volume 5, Number 2, 2019
What is Note-Taking? Note-taking is, simply, a way of concisely recording important information so that you can recall it later. Regardless of how good you think your memory is – you will need to take notes in certain situations to remind yourself what was said. It is a mistake to think, when going to a meeting or attending a lecture or some other important talk, that you will remember the details of what has been said – you won’t. You may well remember the overall topic of the discussion, even some very specific details, but you won’t remember everything. It is important to recognise that taking notes should not distract you from listening intently to what the speaker is saying. Effective note-taking involves listening whilst jotting down key points that will be important later: in a business meeting this may include action points that you have agreed to attend to; in a lecture this may include new vocabulary or theories that you can investigate further later. Before you can take effective notes you need to be somewhat organised. It may seem obvious but you need to remember to take some appropriate note-taking equipment with you to meetings, lectures etc. The nature of the ‘appropriate’ note -taking equipment will depend partly on you and partly on the circumstances. The simplest low-tech way of taking notes is to use a pen (or series of different coloured pens) and a pad of paper. Bring plenty of paper and at least one spare pen or pencil. Some people prefer to take notes on a laptop, tablet, smartphone or some other device – this is fine as long as you are very comfortable with the technology – so that they can concentrate fully on their notes – not on the actual process of writing them. If you are using some form of computer to take notes it is usually a good idea to turn off any messaging services first – otherwise you are likely to be distracted by new emails, text messages or the like. When you arrive at the meeting or lecture try to sit so that you can clearly see and hear the main speaker. General Note-Taking Guidelines: 1. Before you start taking any notes be clear about why you are attending the talk or meeting . What are you hoping to learn or gain from it? Think of your notes as a guide to your learning and development after the event. You notes form par t of a working document that you’ll return to and add to later. 2. Think about whether or not a point is noteworthy before you write it down – do not take notes for the sake of taking notes. Otherwise you’ll end up with lots of irrelevant points, which will distract you from the important things. You probably only really need to make notes on things that are new to you. 3. Do not write down everything that is said, word-for-word, that would be transcribing, which is an altogether different skill. Concentrate on the key points, remain alert and attentive and listen to what is being said. 4. Write in your own style and use your own words , you don’t need to worry too much about spelling, grammar, punctuation or neatness as long as you can read your notes later and they make sense to you. Your personal note-writing system will evolve and improve with practice. 5. Try to use short concise points , single words or phrases or short sentences, use bullet or numbered lists if necessary. If you are using a pen and paper then it is easy to add linking lines to join ideas and concepts. 6. Write down in full, key information that can’t be shortened: names, contact details, dates, URL’s, references, book titles, formulas etc. 7. Use abbreviations to help you – just note what they mean! 8. Use underlining, indentation, circle words or phrases, use highlighter pens – whatever system works for you to emphasis the most important points and add some structure to your notes. 9. Use some sort of shorthand system that you will understand later – develop this system as you become more skilled at note-taking. 10. Don’t panic if you miss something . You can usually ask the speaker to repeat a point or ask a colleague or peer after the event. Note down that you have missed something to remind you to do this.
Article 14 – Note Taking
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