Note Taking

How to take notes

Any assignment that asks for notes should be done in this format (see the "In a Nutshell" below).

First, before you get started get in the right mind set.  FOCUS.  Now, get engaged with what you are reading. Remember, you are a participant; your job is to follow the content in order to generate ideas from which you can make meaning for yourself.  Don't just let the words wash over you--participate!

A word of warning: quality counts. It is not a good habit to get into to just write stuff down because you were told to take notes. The stuff you write down is the stuff you are going to remember. You want to write down the stuff that it is worthwhile to know. So think before you write.

In a Nutshell
Preview (Title? Structure? Question raised)
Chunk your essay
For each chunk in your notes include
1. Main Idea of full chunk (not a fact, not a description, not a summary but an IDEA)
2. Vocab defined
3. Question 
4. Your thoughts

1. Getting Started
1. Preview: Start with your title. Write it down at the top of your notes.
1. look at the structure of the essay, text or chapter
2. Are there questions at the end? If so, read these FIRST
3. what structural components do you notice: are there sections? Headings? anything bold or highlighted?  
2. Answer the question:  what is (are) the question(s) that the text is trying to answer?  Brainstorm some ideas from the title and anything else you might know on the topic. Then come back to this question as you read and it becomes more clear what question it is trying to answer. As you attempt to figure out the thesis for the essay,  that is the question you will want to answer.
3. Remember the structure of what you are reading: generally the beginning is in the either a story or brief introductory passage or the actual argument introduction. When you feel the text switching gears at the beginning, it's probably moving from the introduction to the body of the essay. Stop, look back at the paragraph or paragraphs that you just finished reading and try to figure out what issue the author is raising. Is he asking a question here? Providing a thesis? Sending you on a quest? If so, for what?
2. Introduction
1. When you feel that shift, write down the ideas and questions you think the text is starting to ask.  Ask yourself, where is the text headed? And attempt to answer that question. Your answers will just be tentative hypothesis at this point but they will help you engage with what you read. Come back to these ideas when you finish and change them if you need too. Jot down tentative claims/ideas that you think the essay is going to cover (remember to keep an eye out for indicator words). The introduction is often the most important section of the whole text. Learn to locate it.
3. Body
1. In the body are the reasons why you should believe the thesis. Think of paragraphs as clusters of arguments (arguments are usually “chunked”). Try to identify when a new reason is being introduced by noting indicator words (like first, second, in addition, let me add here, etc. See list of indicator words in syllabus). Write down what you think the new reason is. Do NOT write, "here is a new reason" but think what is the cluster of paragraphs arguing and write down the claim (the belief the author holds or is putting up for consideration).
2. You'll notice that there are few reasons among all the paragraphs. So, what is the other stuff? It is the support for the reasons.  Look at the support and ask yourself whether you think it is good enough to prove the reasons.  Write down a few general statements about the support (full thoughts here, not just single words). Look at your organizing an argument hand out to give you some ideas what you are looking for.
3. Now, engage with the body of the argument.  Write down questions about the content, the ideas and what it might mean to you. Make sure you write at least three questions that would be useful for which to know the answer.
4. Making Meaningful
1. Write down your opinion of the ideas and/or support. What do you think of what the author is saying? Write down your opinion as a complete thought. Don't write "I agree!" That won't help you remember anything. Write down: "I agree that reading requires full engagement" (or whatever idea you agree or disagree with).
5. Throughout the entire text
1. Write down words you don't know but which you think it would be important to understand