Styles of Note Making

Suppose you are in a class and the teacher is teaching a very important concept. It is difficult for us to remember everything taught in the class in the same order. Also in our daily lives, it is not possible to memorize everything. Extensive reading is currently the buzzword in every discipline of study or research. We are frequently fed with information of varying scope while reading. It is often difficult to retain all of the essential aspects of a piece or article that we have read.

To overcome these difficulties, one notes down important details. These notes help us in time of need. The noting down of useful concepts and points is the basis of what one says note-making. In this section, we will study note-making and note-making format.

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Note Making

Our knowledge is broad and limitless, but our memory capacity is restricted. We cannot recall everything all of the time. As a result, note-making is essential. The purpose of taking notes is to filter key information and help us remember it. Making notes is more than just writing down what you read or hear; it is also a process of synthesising and revisiting concepts from lectures or reading.

Note Making is a way of recording important details from a source. This source can be any book, article, meeting or any oral discussion. In note making, the writer records the essence of the information. It helps us to understand and clarify thinking. Note making saves a lot of time by going through the notes made. One can get a glimpse of a lot of information from a short note.

Advantages of Note Making

A note making is a skill that improves by practising. There are some advantages of note-making. Let us get to know some of them.

• It has great importance in exams or in academic writing
• It is an organization of main points for future use
• Note making helps in keeping the information handy whenever we require
• It helps in recollecting and recalling the past events said or heard
• It condenses the complete set of data into a reasonable size.
• It facilitates rapid revision during exam time.
• It has essential points that make it more readable.
• It helps in concentrating, understanding and provides a permanent record
• Note making format helps a writer to go through bulky documents quicker
• It helps in understanding a material if the notes are in their own words
• It distinguishes between main points and details

 Here we will learn why and how to make a note. 

Note Making Format

There is a fixed note making format. One needs to follow this note making format in order to have a clear and unambiguous understanding of it. The note making format has-

Heading

It shows the title or the heading of the note. This is the first section of your note, and it must express the passage’s main theme. The header represents the passage’s principal idea.

Subheading

As the name suggests, a subheading is a subdivision of the main topic. Subheadings are essential components of a paragraph that contain crucial information that must be divided into points and subpoints. Subheadings describe how the main topic of the passage was developed. One can use as many subheadings as he or she wants.

Point

Below subheading, there are some points that are part of the main topics.

Sub-subheading

One can add more headings below the points for showing the category, types, advantages, etc.

Key or Keywords

The key portion of the note shows the various codes, symbols or abbreviations used. It helps to get a clear understanding of the keys used in the note-making format.

Abbreviations and Symbols

While taking notes, it is usual and acceptable to use abbreviations to reduce large terms. However, use abbreviative forms sparingly and include a key at the conclusion of your message that lists all of the full forms. Common symbols such as &, @, #, %, and so on are also permitted. They are employed for word precision and economy and are hence very useful in note-taking.

Main Processes in Note Making

There are 2 main processes for note-making:

1. Storing –

We are frequently obliged to save information for future use. This information can be useful in a variety of situations. Information storage is necessary since we cannot be expected to recall everything we learn by reading, speaking, or listening. Also, some information may not be required right now, but at some point in the future.

2. Retrieval –

Storing anything is meaningless if we can’t get to it when we need it. There is no point in taking notes if we don’t use the information we save later. As a result, the material should be organised properly, and notes should not be jotted down carelessly.

The Procedure of Note Making

• Read the passage provided
• Underline the important sentences. It helps to make headings and subheadings
• Make a rough note first so as to get an idea
• Organize them in logical order or sequence for the final note
• Use the appropriate note-making format
• Do not change the idea or the message of the passage

Points to Remember for Note Making Format

• Avoid using long sentences as heading or title
• Never lose the main idea of the passage
• Ignore information that is less important
• Be brief, clear, and specific
• Use logical sequencing
• It is vital to give each note a meaningful title and to maintain proper indentation.
• Only the most important instances should be provided.
• The presentation of this writing skill is critical.
• Leave no spaces to avoid confusion
• Do not include your own version or understandings
• At least four abbreviations must be included in your notes. To make it apparent to the reader, put a full stop after each abbreviation.
• Make your note more memorable by adding colours, drawings, and symbols

What are the Mechanics of linear note making?

Using Abbreviations and Symbols in Note Making

Using abbreviations and symbols when taking notes saves time and space. There are several techniques to shorten long or intricate words:

• Using the initials of one or more words, for example, Prime Minister – PM, India – IND, United Nations – UN, Chief Marketing Officer – CMO.
• Using only the initial few letters of the words, for example, construction – Const., abbreviation – abbr., information – info., and so on.
• Universally recognised abbreviations include, for example, opposite – opp., government – govt., established – est., private limited – Pvt. Ltd, department – dept., etcetera – etc., that is – i.e., etc.
• Removing the vowels, for example, reading – rdng, books – bks, cleaning – clng, shopping – shppng, and so on.
• Universally recognised symbols, for example, Q because > greater, larger, < less, smaller, ↓ falling, decreasing, ↑ rising, increasing.

Note Making Format

Note making involves the selection, analysis, summarization, and organization of information. There are different types of note-making formats. Let us make ourselves familiar with them.

Split – Page Format (A narrative note making format method)

In this method, the page is divided into two columns. The first column had the standard notes. The second column will have a summary. This is the most common note making format to note down lecture notes.

Diagram / Pattern format (A visual note making format method)

In this method, the information is presented by a diagram. The main topic is linked together by related ideas. This method is visually more appealing and easy to understand.

Mind Map (A visual note making method)

In this method, the main points and all the related points are presented through a map. It contains text and images both. For a clear understanding, the information is linked in the proper sequence.

Outline Format (A visual note making format method)

In this method, the information is presented as an outline. Proper titles and subtitles are numbered accordingly for this outline.

Question and Prompt Format (A visual note making format method)

In this method, the main points are highlighted as a series of questions and appropriate answers. It helps in revising the note in an easy way.

Solved Example for You

Problem: A person really wants to remember the information the speaker is providing. What should he need to do?

1. Listen for non–verbal clues
2. Listen for verbal clues
3. Write down the important details
4. None of the above

Solution:  3. Write down the important details.

Problem: Why is it important to take notes?

1. Helps you remember
2. Improves your concentration level
3. Helps you prepare for tests
4. All of the above

Solution: 4. All of the above.

Question: What is the purpose of creating Notes?

Answer: Making notes boosts our concentration and also aids us in exam preparation. Making notes relieves tension; if you make the notes ahead of time, there will be no need to cover extensive chapters afterwards. You can develop high-quality reference materials during this procedure. It will be simple to turn your notes into a to-do list for the last revision rounds before the exam.