NOTE MAKING

Note making is an advanced writing skill which is acquiring increasing importance due to knowledge explosion. There is a need to remember at least the main points of any given subject. Making notes is a complex activity which combines several skills.

How to make notes

Read the passage carefully. o Heading What is the main idea of the passage? Frame a heading based on the central idea and write it in the middle of the page. o Subheadings How has the main idea been presented and developed? Are there two or three subordinate/associated ideas? You can frame subheadings based on these. o Points Are there further details or points of the subtitles that you wish to keep in these notes? Indent, i.e., suitably space and number. All subheadings should be written at a uniform distance from the margin.
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Indenting All points should also maintain the same distance away from the margin. Note: Do not write full sentences. And use abbreviations wherever necessary.
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Help with abbreviations

1. Use standard abbreviations and symbols as far as possible: a. Capitalized first letters of words

e.g. U.P.,U.S.A.,U.K.,U.S.S.R.,etc. b. Common abbreviations Sc. (for science), Mr., Mrs., Dr., Govt., etc c. Common symbols e.g., : \, , +ve, -ve, (leading to), (rising), (falling), =, etc. d. Measurements and Figures e.g., : 100, 100, 100 kg, 1000 mm, 100ml, etc. 2. Making your own abbreviations:

a. Keep the main sounds of the word. For example, edn. (education), progm. (programme) b. Retain the suffix so that later when you are going over the notes you may recall the full form of the word e.g., ednal (educational), progve (progressive). 2. Caution a. Do not get over-enthusiastic about abbreviations. You should not abbreviate every word. One abbreviation in point is enough. b. As a general rule, the heading should not be abbreviated. You may use abbreviations in subheadings.

Your notes should look like this

Notice that indenting, i.e., shifting from the margin has been used to clearly indicate subheadings, points and sub points. Subheadings, though separated by points occur below one another. Points and sub points too come below one another, similarly. Such use of indenting gives your notes a visual character. At a glance you can see the main idea and its aspects.

IMPORTANCE OF NOTE MAKING:

Notes act as a summary or reinforcement of the main points of what you read, heard or saw; they are also an essential record of where information came from (for referencing purposes). They also remind you of other things you should do to continue learning, e.g. sources to check out; action to take. Notes They are an aid to memory. If You summarise in your own words, this can help you to remember the subject better, particularly in exams. Notes are, therefore, useful for future revision purposes, particularly in preparation for exams or writing assignments. Notes can help you to concentrate on the lecture or reading; the note writing process can help you overcome distraction and can encourage you to become a more active, rather than passive, learner.