Chapter 6
Listening Actively and
Taking Good Notes
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Having any of the following problems?

I drift or lose my concentration during a lecture.

My class notes are not organized well for
studying.

I write too much when I take notes.

Or—I write too slowly and miss points.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Learning Outcomes
1.
2.
3.
Develop skills as active listeners.
Use the three-step process of effective
notetaking.
Prepare study-ready notes by utilizing
the outline and/or column formats for
notetaking.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
It’s not just for college!
Active listening and good notetaking skills will also
serve you well
throughout your career.
Believe it!
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Success attitudes and habits of an
active listener:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Coming to class prepared with assignments completed.
Bringing questions or thoughts about the reading.
Sitting near the front of class.
Using self-talk that says “I am interested and I will stay
focused”—not “this is boring!”
Being determined about learning.
* It’s not just for Nerds!
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Effective Notetaking  a 3-Step Process
1.
2.
3.
Listening and being determined to pay
attention in spite of distractions.
Thinking about the meaning of what is said so
you can select the most important information
to remember.
Writing down the most important information
so you’ll be able to review and study it later.
 Sound easy?  You get better with practice!
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Notetaking Tips
1.
2.
3.
4.
Use a 3-ring or loose-leaf notebook.
Leave plenty of space for additional
explanation, comments, or study clues.
Record definitions of technical terms exactly
as given.
Copy the diagrams and drawings your
instructor writes on the board.
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More Notetaking Tips
5.
6.
Record your instructor’s examples.
Take notes during group discussions.

7.
8.
Group problem-solving questions often show up
as essay questions on tests.
Take notes throughout class.
To speed notetaking, leave out words—
such as “a” and “the”—from your notes.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
More Notetaking Tips
Write phrases/names in full the first time and
use initials thereafter.
10. Create headings to help you further learn and
organize notes.
11. Fill in blanks and review notes as soon as
possible after class.
12. Review frequently to solidify material in your
mind.
9.

To “lock in” material, briefly review all notes
between exams on a daily basis.
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13. Use the top margin to note
assignments, course, date,
and/or the page number.
Course: Social Science
Date: May 2, 2009
Page: 1
Assignment: Read chap 12
complete all chap ques
Due: May 8
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
14. Note the points your instructor stressed
by placing a star or asterisk (*) in the
margin next to the items emphasized.
. . . a major point . . .
. . . pay special
attention to . . .
. . . note this . . .
. . . an important
reason . . .
. . . don’t forget . . .
. . . a chief cause . .
.
. . . what do you
think is the reason for
this?
. . . this will probably
be on the test . . .
. . . Repeated
statements
. . . Numbered lists
. . . The instructor’s
voice slows down
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15. Use abbreviations and symbols that you
can easily remember.
Examples
e.g.
for example
=
the same as
≠
not the same as
>
greater than
<
less than
w/
with
w/o
without
betw
between
X
times
#
number
/
per

promotes, produces, leads to
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Two Effective Notetaking Formats
Outline format
Column format
1)
2)


Effective notetaking formats will help you
prepare study-ready notes.
Determine which style you prefer.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Outline Format
Course: Sociology of Aging
Date: Dec. 5, 2009
Assignment: Read chap 6
complete all chap ques
Page: 1
Due: Dec. 7
I.
Generational Diversity
A. Value system unique to a particular age group
B. Generations shaped by common experiences,
memories, & lessons learned
C. Have own TV shows, music, styles, &
expressions
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Outline Format continued
Course: Sociology of Aging
Date: Dec. 5, 2009
Page: 2
II.
The Four Generations and dates of birth
A.
B.
C.
D.
Veterans (Traditionalists)—1922–1943
Baby Boomers—1943–1960
Gen X—1960–1980
Gen Y (Millennials) —1980–2000
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Outline Format continued
Course: Sociology of Aging
Date: Dec. 5, 2009
Page: 3
III. Value systems impact work styles  key behavior
styles
A. Veterans
1. Patience
2. Constancy
3. A sense of hierarchy
4. Loyalty
B. Baby Boomers
1. Relationship building
2. Commitment
3. Systematic perspective
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Outline Format continued
C. Gen Xers—key behavior styles
1. Flexibility
2. Loyalty
3. Independence
D. Gen Yers—key behavior styles
1. Independence
2. Collaboration
3. Persistence
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Column Format
Course: Human Behavior
Date: May 2, 2009
Page: 1
Assignment: Read chap 12
complete all chap ques
Due: May 6
Left Column
Right Column
Terms
Main ideas
Illustrations
Illustrations
Definitions
Details
Labels
Process description
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Column Format
(Terms & Definitions)
Course: Human Behavior
Date: May 2, 2009
Page: 1
Assignment: Read chap 12
complete all chap ques
Due: May 6
Ethnocentrism
view that one’s own culture
is superior to others
Prejudice
an opinion or learning
opposed to anything without
just grounds or sufficient
knowledge.
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Column Format
(Main Ideas & Details)
Course: Human Relationship Skills
Date: April 29, 2009
Page: 4
Assignment: Read chap 9
complete ques 9–18
Due: May 4
3 behavior/
communication
styles
1. Nonassertive
2. Aggressive
3. Assertive
Assertive
communication
Express thoughts, feelings,
beliefs in direct, honest, &
appropriate ways that
respect the rights of others.
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Column Format (illustrations & labels)
Course: Anatomy
Date: April 6, 2009
Page: 1
Assignment: Read chap 5
& prepare for quiz
Due: May 4
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Cell body
Nucleus
Dendrites (receivers)
Axon (the conducting
fiber)
Myelin sheath (insulating
fatty layer that speeds
transmission)
Schwan’s Cells (they
make myelin)
Axon terminals
(transmitters)
Node of Ranvier
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Column Format (illustration & process)
Course: Anatomy
Date: April 6, 2009
Page: 2
Neurons transmit
impulses along
an axon and
across the
synapse to the
dendrites of the
neighboring cell.
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Which notetaking format do you
prefer?
Outline Format
or
Column Format
And why?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Key Chapter Points
1. Active listening and notetaking, like any
other skills, will improve rapidly with
practice.
2. Both are useful tools for success in
school, and will continue to be useful on
your job.
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.
Can you get your hands around it?
Copyright © 2010 by Tapestry Press, Ltd.