Note taking Structure
- To generate discussion in your writing
- To create discussion from general texts
- To underpin theories from texts
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T: 0141 273 1230
E: AskLDC@gcu.ac.uk
www.gcu.ac.uk/ldc
© Glasgow Caledonian University School of Engineering and Built Environment 2011
Principles of Good Note-Taking (In Lectures)
& Note Making (From Books/Journals)
If taking lecture notes, familiarise yourself beforehand with the topic, by referring
guidelines on GCULearn,Start each lecture note with the subject/title, lecturer's
name and date & your name.
If making notes from a chapter of a book or journal read the first few, and
concluding, paragraphs (and summary/abstract if provided) to get a flavour of the
topic
Do:

Keep notes brief

Use your own words

Leave spaces. Wide margin or write on one side of paper - to add notes
later

Note key words and main ideas

Write phrases – not sentences

Use abbreviations = &/ +%

Use BLOCK CAPITALS in bold or highlight

Use headings and underline

Number points 1, 2, 3, 4, 5……..

Make the page interesting – with colour, use

Note sources of information. Be precise

Read lecture notes through as soon as possible. Clarify by annotating.
Check any missing bits with lecturer or colleague

Organise your notes in ring binders with dividers / or plastic boxes with
labels
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© Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Engineering Built and Environment (LDC,
2011)
Don’t:

Copy chunks and phrases of books/journals

Write out lecture notes again to make them neater
Tidy messy notes by:

Draw a circles/squares around sections of notes in different colours to
make them stand out

Use a ruler to underline headings

Try and divide page up between sections

Draw a ring round floating bits of information

Link stray information by colour or arrows

Write out summary sheet in your own words for later revision
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© Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Engineering Built and Environment (LDC,
2011)
Note Taking from Texts _________________________________________
Author / Year/ Title
1.
2.
3.
What is the main
viewpoint
in the article/chapter
to
Where is the evidence
in text or from
calculations to support
this view
What are the
Conclusions
and /or
Recommendations
Areas of agreement
/disagreement from
other texts
© Glasgow Caledonian University School of Engineering and Built Environment 2011
4.
Note Taking from Research __________________________________
Author(s):
Year/ Title
Research aim
Findings
Conclusions
Methodology
Research tool ,
sample size and
selection criteria
Data collection etc.
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© Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Engineering Built and Environment (LDC, 2011)
Critical comments
Limitations
Validity
Note Taking From Texts on Theories Underpinning Topic
Topic…………………………………………………………………………………
Source
1.
2.
3.
Theorist and date in chronological
order
What theory proposes.
Key principles
Evidence to support theory
Implications of theory (in practice)
Possible Limitations
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© Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Engineering Built and Environment (LDC, 2011)
4.