Note Taking
Note taking is used for a variety of purposes, for example:
o
o
o
o
In lectures
When reading books
For planning
For revision
It is best to find a style that suits your learning style. Some students prefer a more visual style;
others a linear approach. Some examples of the different styles are included below.
The next two examples are pattern or mindmap notes. There are also software packages
available that perform a similar function, for example Inspiration, Mind Manager, Mind Genius.
Look out for free-to-download mindmapping software too.
Linear notes
Not all dyslexic people think in a holistic way and love concept maps! Some like linear notes.
This page uses a linear style. It is taken from ‘The Study Skills Handbook’ by Stella Cottrell
(Palgrave 2003), which is an extremely useful book
Strategies for making linear notes
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
Good note-making: general
think before you write
keep notes brief
keep notes organised
use your own words
leave a wide margin and
spaces – to add notes later
Useful strategies
note key words and main ideas
write phrases, not sentences
use abbreviations
use headings
number points
make the page memorable –
with colour, pictures etc
link up points – use arrows,
dotted lines, boxes, colour
note sources of info exactly
write quotations in a
different colour
3
3.1
3.2
3.3
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Unhelpful strategies
copying chunks
writing more notes than you can
use again
writing out notes several times
to make them neater
Tidying messy notes
draw a box round sections of
notes in different colours to
make them stand out
use a ruler to divide the page
up between sections
draw a ring round floating bits
of information
link stray information by
colour-coding it