SAMPLE ON NOTE-MAKING

Note Making
Notes are short written record of facts to aid the memory. Notes are usually taken to
record a speech or dictation while listening to it or after reading a book, magazine or
article. They are referred back whenever needed and may be reproduced in the desired
way.

The necessity of note making

Knowledge is vast and unlimited, but our memory is limited. We cannot remember all
the information all the time. Hence note-making is necessary. With the help of notes we
can recall the entire information read/heard months ago. Note-making is quite useful to
students preparing so many subjects. At the time of examinations, it is not possible to
go through voluminous books. At such critical times, notes are quite handy. Hence note-
making fulfils three useful functions:

1. It keeps a lot of information at our disposal for ready reference.

2. It helps us reconstruct what was said or written and thus accelerates the process
of remembering/recall. .
3. It comes in handy in delivering a speech, participation in a debate/discussion,
writing an essay and revising lessons before an examination.

How note making helps us

While making notes we do not simply read the passage/listen to speech but consider
various points made by the writer/speaker and draw our own inferences about what is
being presented. Thus note-making helps us in understanding the passage in a better
way and organising our thoughts systematically.

Characteristics of good notes

1. Short and Compact: Good notes must be short and compact.

2. Complete Information: They must contain all the important information.
3. Logical: They must be presented in a logical way.
4. Understandable: They should be understandable when consulted at a later stage.

Mechanics of note making

While making notes we follow certain standard practices. These may be listed as
follows:
(a) Heading and Sub-headings
(b) Abbreviation and Symbols
(c) Note-form
(d) Numbering and Indentation

Heading and sub-headings

The heading reflects the main theme whereas the sub-headings point out how it has
been developed. The selection of proper heading and sub-heading reveals the grasp of
the passage by the students. In the absence of proper assimilation of main ideas and
subsidiary points it is impossible to make notes.

Abbreviations and symbols

They are used for precision and economy of words and hence quite helpful in note-
making. At least four recognisable abbreviations are to be used in note-making in your
board examination.
These are essential components of note-making. Students often make use of
abbreviations and symbols in doing their written work.
Note. Confusing abbreviations should be avoided, e.g., the abbreviation ‘under’ may
stand for understand, understood and understanding. Similarly ‘indst’ may stand for
industry, industrial, industrious.

Note-Form
While making notes the whole information is listed in note-form in points only. Notes
should not be written in complete sentences as we can’t remember the whole
information. So only the main points are listed one under the other and numbered.
It implies the logical division and sub-division of the listed information by using figures,
letters, dashes and spaces.
All examples and figurative speeches are eliminated.

Numbering and indenting

Indentation
Indentation means leaving space at the beginning of a line of print or writing.
First write the title and then write down the notes in a logical order. From the main
headings to the sub-headings, the numbering should be spaced a little to the right.

Conclusion
Note-making is a useful skill. You must develop it with constant practice. Notes form an
essential part of your academic life and will serve you well in your School/Board
examinations.
How to write note making
Follow the following steps:
Step 1 : (i)Read the passage carefully.
(ii)Try to get the theme and subject of the passage. You may ask yourself: “What is this
passage about?” This will provide you the gist.
Step 2 : Read carefully. Identify main ideas and important supporting details.
Step 3 : Make notes of the main ideas under headings and add sub-points under sub-
headings.
Step 4 : Use proper layout/format, e.g.,
(a) Indented, linear form
(b) Sequential form
(c) Tabular form
(d) Flow chart
(e) Pie chart, graphs or diagrams, etc.
Step 5 : Use recognisable abbreviations wherever possible

Read the following passages carefully:

Note making Example – Passage 1:

1. Conversation is indeed the most easily teachable of all arts. All you need to do in
order to become a good conversationalist is to find a subject that interests you and
your listeners. There are, for example, numberless hobbies to talk about. But the
important thing is that you must talk about other fellow’s hobby rather than your
own. Therein lies the secret of your popularity. Talk to your friends about the
things that interest them, and you will get a reputation for good fellowship,
charming wit, and a brilliant mind. There is nothing that pleases people so much
as your interest in their interest.
2. It is just as important to know what subjects to avoid and what subjects to select
for good conversation. If you don’t want to be set down as a wet blanket or a bore,
be careful to avoid certain unpleasant subjects. Avoid talking about yourself,
unless you are asked to do so. People are interested in their own problems not in
yours. Sickness or death bores everybody. The only one who willingly listens to
such talk is the doctor, but he gets paid for it.
3. To be a good conversationalist you must know not only what to say, but how also
to say it. Be mentally quick and witty. But don’t hurt others with your wit. Finally try
to avoid mannerism in your conversation. Don’t bite your lips or click your tongue,
or roll your eyes or use your hands excessively as you speak.
4. Don’t be like that Frenchman who said, “How can I talk if you hold my hand?”

(a) Make notes of the contents of the passage you have read. Use a format you consider
suitable. Use abbreviations wherever necessary. Give a suitable title to the passage. (4)
(b) Write a summary of the passage based on your notes. (4)
TITLE: The Art of Conversation

NOTES:

1. Conversation—most easily teachable art

(a) Reqd. interest’g subject – hobbies
(b) Talk about other fellow’s int./hobby
(c) Win’g reptn. as good cnvs’t
(i) good f’ship
(ii) charm’g wit
(iii) brl. Mind

2. Fit subs, for conversationalist

(a) What subs, to avoid/select?
(b) Avoid unpl’nt subs.
(i) sickness
(ii) death
(c) Avoid talk’g about self

3. Qualities of a good conversationalist

(a) What to say & how to say it
(b) ment’y quick & witty
(c) pleasant & unhurt’g
(d) avoid mannerisms.

4.
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS:

1. Cnvs’t – conversationalist
2. Ment’y – mentally
3. Bri. – brilliant
4. F’ship - friendship

SUMMARY:

TITLE: The Art of Conversation

Conversation is the easiest and the most effective tool than other arts. To have such
attractive quality, you need to pick a subject that interest your listners more than you.
Talk to your friends on topics that can indulge your friends in the conversation for a
longer period of time. Being a good conversationalist, you have to quick and witty. You
should have a pleasant and unhurting quality. Mannerism should be avoided.