Mr. H’s Note Taking
Basics
How can I be successful in a class
that requires note-taking?
Helpful Hint #1
Note taking = Dictation
Note taking is writing complete ideas;
dictation is writing complete
sentences.
Examples
Dictation:
Mr. H’s history class meets 5 days a
week, from 10:00 am to 11:20.
Notes:
History w/ Mr. H
-
5 d/wk
10 – 11:20 am
Helpful Hint #2
Successful Note taking:
Listen for KEY WORDS
First - costs
Helpful Hint #3
Use space. Don’t fill space
Three keys to green
environment –
educate public,
improve techno., and
help increase demand
for recycling.
-Other ExamplesUse vertical space.
Use horizontal space.
-Other Examples(use headers)
Helpful Hint #4
Use symbols and
abbreviations.
Mr
=
Mrs
w/
pop
&
%
‹
›
#
!

w/o
x
Helpful Hint #5
Get the BIG
PICTURE!
What’s the speaker’s
main point?
What does he / she
want you to learn?
Helpful Hint #6
•Develop your own style.
•YOU DON’T HAVE TO
WRITE WORD-FOR-WORD;
EVERYTHING DOWN
Now let’s change
sentences to ideas . . .
Change dictation into
notes:
Studies on worldwide literacy* rates show that almost 80
percent of the world’s population over the age of 15 is
now literate. This includes more women than ever before.
*Literacy = ability to read
One way to write this
info
Studies ww literacy rt = almost 80 % world pop over 15
yrs now literate (+ more women)
Did you organize or write
this in a different way?
Change dictation into
notes:
Many foreign governments (like the United States) are offering
aid to African countries with AIDS-related issues. Because of his
work on this issue as President, George W. Bush is extremely
popular in Africa
However other foreign government contribute little help to the
issue, arguing that it is an “African problem…”.
One way to write this
info
Foreign Aid to Africa (AIDS)
• US (President Bush popularity) 
• Other Countries (“African problem”) 
Did you organize or write
this in a different way?
Change dictation into
notes:
The government of the Roman Republic was made up
of 3 groups: the 300-member Senate (which
represented the wealthy members of Roman society),
the Consuls which were 2 of the most trusted senators
who served as commanders of the army for short
periods of time, and the 100-member Assembly, which
represented the average citizens. Senators created the
laws and held life terms; Assemblymen voted on the
laws and served short, 2-year terms
One way to write this
info
Roman Rep. Gov:
1. Senate (300 mem., wealthy, life, created laws)
2. Consuls (App. Sen, short term, military comm.)
3. Assembly (100 mem., poor, 2y terms, voted on
laws)
One way to write this
info
Roman Rep. Gov:
Senate
• Wealthy
• Life terms
• Created laws
Consuls
• 2 Senators
• Short term
• Military Comm.
Assembly
• Lower class
• 2 year terms
• Voted on laws