Transcript Note-taking Basics

Note-taking Basics
- note taking
- signal words and phrases
- abbreviations
NOTE TAKING
Here are a few hints fir taking notes:
1. Choose a format that is comfortable for you, but make sure that it is easy
to see the difference between main ideas and details in your heading:
Some ways to write headings:
• Use capital letters:
WHY NOTE TAKING IS IMPORTANT
• Underline:
Why note taking is important
• Use a box:
Why note taking is important
• Put the headings in a circle in the center of a page with lines for
details extending out:
Why note taking is important
NOTE TAKING
Continued
Some ways to write details:
• Indent below heading and use dashes:
WHY NOTE TAKING IS IMPORTANT
–we quickly forget what we hear
–material is easier to remember
• Indent below heading and use bullets:
Why note taking is important
• we quickly forget what we hear
• material is easier to remember
• Place in circles around main idea:
we quickly forget what we hear
material is easy to remember
Why note taking is important
NOTE TAKING
Continued
2. Don’t try to write everything you hear, word for word,
as if you were taking dictation.
3. Become aware of when a speaker is using signal
words that indicate where the lecture is going.
4. Use abbreviations to save time. Some example
follow, but use whatever abbreviations you are
familiar with. And when you hear long words, try to
make up abbreviations.
ABBREVIATIONS
Personal Shorthand. These are some commonly used abbreviations. If
you wish, you can tear out or photocopy this list and tape it inside the cover
of your binder or notebook.
advantage
adv
in order to
i.o.t.
regarding
re
against
vs
individual
indiv
should be
s/b
and
+
information
info
significant
signif
and so forth
etc
important
impt
that is
i.e.
association
assoc
introduction
intro
therefore
∴
ABBREVIATIONS
Continued
because
bec
maximum
max
with
w/
consequently
∴
necessary
nec
without
w/o
department
dept
organization
org
with regard to
w.r.t.
development
devmt
particular
partic
for example
ex or
eg
politics
pol
government
govt
psychology
psych
SIGNAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Some Bell Phrases. Also known as “signal words” and “signal phrases,”
these indicate an important point that should be remembered.
Additive words: these say,
“Here more of the same coming
up. It’s just as important as what
we have already said.”
Equivalent words: They say, “It
does what I have just said, but it
does this too.”
Examples:
Examples:
also
furthermore
as well as
likewise
and
in addition
at the same
similarity
besides
moreover
equally important time
further
too
SIGNAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Continued
Amplification words: The
author is saying, “I want to be
sure that you understand my idea:
so here’s a specific instance.”
Qualifying words: These
say, :Here is what we can expect.
These are the conditions we are
working under.”
Examples:
Examples:
although
unless
for example (e.g.) specifically
if
whenever
for instance
provided that
as
like
such as
SIGNAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Continued
Alternative words: These point
up, “Sometimes there is a choice;
other times there isn’t.”
Repetitive words: They say, “I said
it once, but I’m going to say it again
in case you missed it the first time.”
Examples:
Examples:
either/or
otherwise
again
that is (i.e.)
other than
neither/nor
in other word
to repeat
Cause-and-effect words: all this has happened; now I’ll tell you why.”
Examples:
accordingly
since
for this reason
therefore
because
so
hence
thus
consequently
then
SIGNAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Continued
Contrast-and-change words: “So far I’ve given you only one side of the
story; now let’s take a look at the other side.”
Examples:
but
on the contrary
in spite of
though
conversely
on the other hand instead of
whereas
despite
rather than
nevertheless
yet
even though
regardless
notwithstanding
however
still
SIGNAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Continued
Concession words: They say
“Okay, we agree on this much.”
Emphasizing words: They say
“Wake up and take notice!”
Examples:
Examples:
accepting the data of course
above all
granted that
indeed
more important
Time words: “Let’s keep the record straight on who said what and
especially when.”
Examples:
afterward
presently
before
previously
formerly
subsequently
now
meanwhile
ultimately
SIGNAL WORDS AND PHRASES
Continued
Order words: The author is
saying “You keep your mind on
reading; I’ll keep the numbers
straight.”
Summarizing words: These say
“I’ve said many things so far; let’s
stop here and pull them together.”
Examples:
Examples:
finally
next
for these reason in conclusion
first
second
in brief
last
then
to sum up