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Reading and
Taking Notes
Reading and Taking Notes
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Reading and Taking Notes
Reading
Note
taking
Reading and Taking Notes
Reading and note taking are key
skills you are expected to learn
during your University degree.
This presentation will show you how
to read efficiently for different
purposes and how to write effective
notes.
2
What to expect at University
Students can arrive at University
unprepared for the pace of
teaching.
– Lecturers move through
material quickly
– The student-to-teacher
ratio is large, meaning less
individual attention.
Students need to be proactive,
self-directed and self-teaching.
Reading and Taking Notes
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Be a scientist
Visual
Read
Aural
/ write
Kinaesthetic
Experiment with different learning
techniques to see which ones work
best for you.
Discover your learning preferences
with the online VARK questionnaire
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire
Reading and Taking Notes
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Learning how to learn
Interactive
Solitary
Every individual learns differently
There is no right or wrong way to
study as long as you are able to
learn the material.
However, there are reading and
note-taking techniques that will give
you the edge.
Reading and Taking Notes
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Reading
Taking
Notes
Reading and Taking Notes
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Reading
Taking
Notes
Reading and Taking Notes
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Reading
Reading
Detailed Reading
Taking
Notes
Relaxed reading
Scanning
Skimming
Reading and Taking Notes
When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you
must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.
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Reading
Relaxed Reading
Taking
Notes
Relaxed reading is what you do
when you
– Look through a magazine
– Browse the internet
– Read a comic
– Read a novel at the beach
Relaxed reading does not require
memorization or concentration
Reading and Taking Notes
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Reading
Relaxed Reading
Taking
Notes
Relaxed reading is a good way to
enjoy additional or optional readings in
your courses.
– That is, readings that are NOT
to be examined or needed for
assessment.
If you find something in your additional
readings that could be useful, then you
can switch your reading style to
‘detailed reading’. The techniques on
the next few slides will help you with
your detailed reading.
Reading and Taking Notes
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Reading
Skimming
Taking
Notes
Skimming is used to quickly get an
outline of content.
Skimming establishes the boundaries of
what you need to know and what is most
important.
Skim a book by reading the table of
contents, introductions and conclusions
of sections.
Reading and Taking Notes
11
Skim a journal article or book chapter by running your
eyes over the headings, sub-headings, pictures,
graphics, captions and words in italics or bold.
Reading
Taking
Notes
Methods of Analysis
Two main methods of analysis are inductive
and deductive. They are quite different in the
way they work but they are both important in
ongoing research.
Fig 12: Differences in concentration
Deductive analysis
Deductive analysis tends to go from the
general to the specific. It may start with a
theory or model and then this is applied to
experimental situations hypothesising about
the expected results
Reading and Taking Notes
Inductive Analysis
Inductive analysis starts with specific observations
and from these a theory or model is developed.
Observations are analysed looking for patterns or
regularities. From this the theory is developed and
then hypotheses for prediction of behaviour in the
future.
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Scanning
When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you
must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.
Reading
Taking
Notes
Scanning is useful when reading for a
particular phrase or topic.
Run your eyes back and forth quickly
across the page. Your eyes pick up the
words or ideas you are looking for.
Scan readings before writing detailed
notes.
Reading and Taking Notes
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Scanning
When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you
must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.
Reading
Taking
Notes
Scan when:
– Looking for particular key
words when searching the
databases
– Finding a particular quote in
an article you have already
read
– Looking in your textbook for
the answer to a tutorial
question
Reading and Taking Notes
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Scanning
Activity: How many times
does the word ‘phonetics’
appear in this paragraph?
Reading and Taking Notes
When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you
must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.
Reading
Taking
Notes
Phonology can be defined as that subdiscipline within linguistics which is
concerned with ‘the sound of language’. It
differs from phonetics in that it focuses on
the linguistic aspects of the sound of
language such as syntax morphology and
semantics while phonetics moves more
towards aspects of acoustics,
neurophysiology and perceptual psychology.
It is possible to see many overlaps in
research when some subfields could readily
be referred to as ‘linguistic phonetics’ or
‘experimental phonology’.
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Scanning
Activity: The word ‘phonetics’
appears 3 times.
Reading and Taking Notes
When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you
must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.
Reading
Taking
Notes
Phonology can be defined as that subdiscipline within linguistics which is
concerned with ‘the sound of language’. It
differs from phonetics in that it focuses on
the linguistic aspects of the sound of
language such as syntax morphology and
semantics while phonetics moves more
towards aspects of acoustics,
neurophysiology and perceptual psychology.
It is possible to see many overlaps in
research when some subfields could readily
be referred to as ‘linguistic phonetics’ or
‘experimental phonology’.
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Reading
Detailed Reading
Taking
Notes
Detailed reading is a close analysis of a text and is how
you should complete all the mandatory readings in your
course.
U
Reading and Taking Notes
Highlight
Re-write
Underline
Map
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Reading
SQ3R Reading Strategy
Taking
Notes
SQ3R is a technique
Survey
• Skim or scan a text to determine the structure
Question
• Write down questions to focus what you are looking for
• Write down thoughts, criticisms and reflections about the content
Read
• Read section by section – using all the graphic aids in the text. Relate material to
other ideas in the course or your own interpretation of the content.
Recall
• Try answering your own questions in your own words. This tests how well you can
remember what you have read.
Review
• Regular reviews increase retention and understanding
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Detailed Reading –
Weekly Readings
Reading
Taking
Notes
How long will it take to read and take notes on all
my assigned readings?
– Approximately 10 minutes per page.
However, each student is different and each
subject is different, so...
Time yourself reading
Use the time it takes to read and take notes of 1
page to estimate how long you need to study per
week.
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Reading
How to Study Weekly
Readings
Taking
Notes
Time
Read
Write
Think
30min
Skim
Overview
Connect ideas covered in
lecture and tutorial.
10min
BREAK
45min
Detail
Highlight
Notes
How does the reading
develop ideas?
10min
BREAK
45min
Detail
Highlight
Notes
How does the reading
develop ideas?
10min
BREAK
30min
Review
Summarize
Mnemonics
Write ‘to-do’ list
What needs to be
remembered?
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Reading
Taking
Notes
Reading and Taking Notes
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Taking Notes
Lectures
Assignments
Exams
Reading and Taking Notes
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Reading
Lectures
Taking
Notes
Before lectures
Download PowerPoint presentations ahead of time
(if possible).
Skim slides and relevant readings before the lecture.
Write down questions to ask your tutor or lecturer.
In lectures
Focus on content that will be assessed
Use abbreviations
Use diagrams, different coloured pens,
arrows, etc... to quickly convey ideas
Reading and Taking Notes
After lectures
Read readings in detail
Review and re-write lecture notes in
your own words
Ask questions in tutorials
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Reading
Assignments
Taking
Notes
Always record the source with the
content of ideas.
Group notes by source or topic
Source 1: James and Black (1999)
Poverty causes social isolation which has implications for
children’s emotional wellbeing (p.45)
Poverty can lead to attention seeking behaviour to gain
recognition by peers (p.16)
Economic status not necessarily an indicator of academic
ability or commitment (p.55)
Source 2: Smith (2004)
Family poverty impedes children’s ability to interact in the
playground (p.75)
Source 3: Watson (2000)
Poverty is socially isolating for children (p.32)
Poverty is more prevalent in single parent and indigenous
families (p.14)
Reading and Taking Notes
Main idea
Sources
Idea 1:
Social
Isolation
Watson (2000, p. 32)
Peters (2001, p. 54)
James and Black
(1999, p. 45)
Idea 2:
Behaviour
Smith (2004, p. 75)
James and Black
(1999, p. 16)
Harvey (2008, p. 9597)
Peters (2001, p. 35)
Idea 3:
Commitment
James and Black
(1999, p. 55)
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Reading
Exams
Taking
Notes
By the exam study period you
should have100-200 pages of
notes per subject.
– Approx. 10 pages per
week
Reduce your notes to smaller
chunks of information 2-3
times before the day of the
exam to maximize memory
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Reading
Exams
Taking
Notes
Writing good notes is
one of the best ways to
retain information.
Make mnemonics
(sentences or words to
help you remember )
Write flash cards
Draw diagrams
Reading and Taking Notes
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Image references (in order of appearance)
PAGES 1-15
Bram Cymet, 'Zoom', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcymet/3716590450/, ed, 2009, A photograph of a road taken with long
exposure and zoom.
In: QutPhoto2634.jpg, ed, 2004, Three QUT students in labcoats work together.
dplastino, 'WU MING - Mind Map', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marea/4035666628/, ed, 2009, A multi-coloured concept map.
'2students', In: http://www.rcc.edu/students/images/2students.jpg, ed, girl and boy sitting on stairs talking with book on lap.
'student', In: http://www.sastt.ca/images/student.gif, ed, illustration of a stack of books.
Kevin Paul Jones, 'Day 136: Procrastination', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53537358@N00/2282744795/, ed, 2008, A Playstation
II controller.
herval, 'Wishful Thinking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herval/26406106/, ed, 2005, Cartoon of girl looking up.
Kaitlyn, 'Day 178 - 7-26-09', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaitastrophic/3760236898/, ed, 2009, A student reads a book lying in bed.
MC Quinn, 'Study', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcquinn/2302027163/, ed, 2008, two girls sit in library studying.
dmscvan, 'Thesis Table of Contents - 2006', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/svandermark/184667699/, ed, 2006, Table of contents.
Light Rail Now, In: http://www.lightrailnow.org/images02/transit-graph-safety-per-pm-avg-2002-04_lrn.gif, ed, A graph of transit safety.
Nicco Mele, 'Multi-tasking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicco/3177526738/, ed, 2009.
'college-student', In: http://firstnyfcu.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/college-student.jpg, ed, student cross-legged with book in park.
Tama Leaver, 'Coloured Contacts', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaleaver/66740030/, ed, 2005, A green coloured eye.
Mark Pilkington, 'Bee perception experiment', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/strangeattractor/154183797/, ed, 2006, A set of
coloured circles for an experiment on bee perception.
Reading and Taking Notes
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Image references (in order of appearance)
PAGES 17-27
Karin Dalziel, 'Can't erase the highlighting in Zotero', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/772741433/, ed, 2007, Screen capture of
highlighted text.
dplastino, 'WU MING - Mind Map', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marea/4035666628/, ed, 2009, A multi-coloured concept map.
Nick Aldwin, 'Tools of Evil', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninja999/2191121767/, ed, 2008, pencil, eraser, page of maths workings.
Tama Leaver, 'Coloured Contacts', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaleaver/66740030/, ed, 2005, A green coloured eye.
Leo Reynolds, 'question mark ?' In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/12364944/, ed, 2005, A photograph of a question mark with black
border.
Mark Wainwright, 'Revision', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-a-r-k/504416145/, ed, 2007, A close-up photo of a text book.
herval, 'Wishful Thinking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herval/26406106/, ed, 2005, Cartoon of girl looking up.
QUT, 'Reviewing', In: reviewing.jpg, ed, 2009, A graph showing percentage remembered over time with or without review.
Kevin Collins, 'Stopped Watch', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevincollins/38513145/, ed, 2005, A stop watch.
Alan Morton-Smith, 'Lecture theatre audience', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosmi/3709805804/, ed, 2009.
Michael, 'Hypergeometric', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pictoral/2377836517/, ed, 2008, Student studying his notes.
ccarlstead, 'Eraser', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cristic/2579854471/, ed, 2008, student in exam.
QUT, 'Studying for Exams', In: studying_for_exams.jpg, ed, 2009, Diagram of how to study for exams.
J.G. Davis, 'Life cycle of the alfalfa weevil', In: http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5365593, ed, 2008, A
diagram of the life cycle of the alfalfa weevil.
Steve Keys, 'ThinkMac's iKanji 1.0', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36645776@N00/2711191611/, ed, 2008, screen capture of
Japanese kanji flash card program.
Lee Pilich, 'Music cross-rhythm, what atrocious weather.PNG', In: _what_atrocious_weather.PNG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Music_cross-rhythm, ed, 2003, mnemonic diagram to help music student remember
Reading and Taking Notes
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