NOTES MAKING

1. Title – clear, short

2. Abbreviations – 4 min. + Key box
3. Language – phrases, no full sentences
4. Structure – Headings → Subheadings → Points
5. Conciseness – brief, only key ideas
6. Visuals – symbols, flowcharts
7. Summary – 1/3rd of passage
Notes Making
What are Notes?
Notes are a short, systematic, and organised record of the main points or ideas taken from a
passage, lecture, textbook, or speech.

Characteristics/Features of Notes:
 Short & compact, written in brief phrases, not full sentences.
 Complete Information
 Capture only the main ideas and important details.
 Logical and understandable as well easy
 Organised using headings, sub-headings, points, and sub-points.
 Often use abbreviations, symbols, and numbering for clarity.
 Must have a title at the top and a key for abbreviations at the end (as per CBSE).

1. Title
 Every note must begin with a title.
 Title should be:
o Short, clear, meaningful
o Reflects the main theme of the passage
 Example: If passage is about “Online Education,” the title can be: “Online Learning:
Opportunities & Challenges”.
2. Abbreviations & Symbols
 Abbreviations are shortened forms of words used in notes to save time and space.
 Use at least 4–5 standard abbreviations.
 Maximum 8–10 abbreviations allowed.
 Write a Key Box at the end explaining them.
 Three Groups of Symbols:
1. ACRONYMS: Capital initial letters (CBSE, CM, NCERT, UNO, UK)
2. CONTRACTIONS: Taking First few letters of the word (Capt. For Caption, Lab.)
3. SHORT FORMS: Taking First few and last few letters (Dr, Dept, Govt)
 Examples:
o govt. = government
o edu. = education
o imp. = important
o dev. = development
o env. = environment
→ (leads to), ↑ (increase), ↓ (decrease), & (and), ∴ (therefore)
Symbols: Symbols are signs or marks used instead of words.

Board Tip: Draw a box at the bottom right side of your notes titled “Key” to show abbreviations.
Note: Often a full Stop (.) is put after an abbreviation which does not end with the last letter of the
word.
3. Language
 Use phrases, not full sentences.
 Remove unnecessary words like:
o Articles (a, an, the)
o Helping verbs (is, are, was, were)
o Connectors (that, which, etc.)
 Example:
Passage line: “The government is taking steps for the improvement of education.”
Notes line: “Govt. steps → edu. improvement”
4. Structure (Indentation)
 Notes must be written in a hierarchical order.
 Use Headings, Sub-headings, Points, Sub-points.
 Follow proper indentation to show levels.
Format Example:
Title: Online Learning

I. Benefits
A. Saves time & cost
B. Wide access to edu.
II. Challenges
A. Lack of internet
B. Distracts students
1. Social media addiction
2. Less concentration
Key: edu. = education
5. Conciseness
 Notes must be brief and to the point.
 Avoid repetition.
 Only main ideas should be written, not details.
Example:
Instead of: “Millions of people come to Kumbh Mela for taking a holy dip in the river.”
Write: “Millions attend Kumbh → holy dip in river”
6. Visuals (Optional)
 Use numbers, bullet points, arrows, flowcharts to make notes clear.
 Especially useful in Science/Social Science notes.
Example:
Causes of Pollution →
1. Vehicles
 2. Industries
3. Plastics
7. Numdering and Identation:

1. Numbering

 Numbering means giving numbers/letters to points to show order and hierarchy.

 CBSE allows different styles of numbering (any one is correct if consistent):

Examples of Numbering Styles:

 Roman: I, II, III …

 Capitals: A, B, C …
 Numbers: 1, 2, 3 …
 Small letters: (a), (b), (c) …

Note: Always use one style for main headings and different for sub-headings.

2. Indentation

 Indentation means shifting each sub-level of points slightly to the right.

 It shows the relationship between main points and sub-points.
 Main heading = extreme left;
 Sub-heading = little inside;
 Sub-subheading = more inside.

Example:
Title: Benefits of Exercise

I. Physical Benefits
A. Improves blood circulation
B. Strengthens muscles

II. Mental Benefits

A. Reduces stress
B. Improves concentration
1. Better focus in studies
2. Reduces anxiety
Here:

 I, II = Main headings
 A, B = Sub-headings
 1, 2 = Sub-subheadings
 Indentation shows the “levels” clearly.

3. Why Important in CBSE?

  Makes notes look neat, logical, and exam-ready
Helps examiner see points at a glance
Shows hierarchy of ideas (main idea → details → examples)

In short:
Numbering = labels for points
Indentation = shifting to the right to show sub-points

1. Numbering

 Numbering means giving numbers/letters to points to show order and hierarchy.

 It helps to keep notes systematic, clear, and well-organised.
 CBSE allows different styles of numbering (any one is correct if consistent):

Examples of Numbering Styles:

 Roman: I, II, III …

 Capitals: A, B, C …
 Numbers: 1, 2, 3 …
 Small letters: (a), (b), (c) …

Always use one style for main headings and different for sub-headings.

2. Indentation

 Indentation means shifting each sub-level of points slightly to the right.

 It shows the relationship between main points and sub-points.
 Main heading = extreme left;
 Sub-heading = little inside;
 Sub-subheading = more inside.

Example:

Title: Benefits of Exercise

I. Physical Benefits
A. Improves blood circulation
B. Strengthens muscles

II. Mental Benefits

A. Reduces stress
B. Improves concentration
1. Better focus in studies
2. Reduces anxiety

Here:

 I, II = Main headings
 A, B = Sub-headings
  1, 2 = Sub-subheadings
 Indentation shows the “levels” clearly.

3. Why Important in CBSE?

✔ Makes notes look neat, logical, and exam-ready

✔ Helps examiner see points at a glance
✔ Shows hierarchy of ideas (main idea → details → examples)

In short:
Numbering = labels for points
Indentation = shifting to the right to show sub-points

8. Summary
 After making notes, write a short summary in your own words.
 Should be about 1/3rd of the original passage length.
 Based on the notes only.
 Write in connected sentences, not points.
 Example Passage:1
Discipline is the key to success in life. It helps us stay focused on our goals. A disciplined person
makes the best use of time and resources. Without discipline, people often waste their energy and
fail to achieve anything worthwhile.
Discipline is not about restrictions; rather, it is about self-control. It teaches us to balance our
freedom with responsibility. A society where people follow rules develops faster and creates a safe
environment for everyone.
In student life, discipline plays the most important role. Regular study habits, punctuality, and
obedience to teachers help students achieve academic excellence. An undisciplined student may
have talent but is unable to succeed due to lack of consistency.
Discipline is equally important in professional life. Employees who value discipline are more
productive, trusted, and respected. Therefore, discipline should be seen as a guiding principle that
leads to success, harmony, and progress in life.

Notes

Title: Discipline: Key to Success

I. Value of Discipline
A. Focus on goals
B. Best use of time & resources
C. Lack of discipline → failure

II. Meaning of Discipline

A. Not restrictions but self-control
B. Balance freedom & responsibility
C. Social growth → safe environment

III. In Student Life

A. Regular study habits
B. Punctuality & obedience
C. Talent w/o discipline → no success

IV. In Professional Life

A. Productivity ↑
B. Trust & respect gained
C. Guiding principle → harmony, success
Key (Abbreviations)

• w/o = without

• ↑ = increase

Summary
Discipline is essential for success in every stage of life. It enables focused work, proper use of time,
and balance between freedom and responsibility. In student life, it builds good study habits and
ensures academic achievement. In professional life, it increases productivity, trust, and respect.
Thus, discipline is the guiding principle for success and harmony in life.

Example Passage: 2
Good health is the foundation of a happy life. It depends on our daily habits, food, exercise, and
state of mind. A person who follows healthy habits can enjoy life better.
One of the most important aspects of good health is a balanced diet. A balanced diet includes
proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals in the right amount. Overeating and junk food
cause obesity and health problems.
Another essential factor is exercise. Walking, jogging, yoga, and outdoor games keep the body fit.
Exercise improves blood circulation, strengthens the heart, and reduces stress.
Equally important is mental health. Stress management, meditation, positive thinking, and adequate
rest are vital for a peaceful mind. Thus, good health is a perfect balance of body and mind.

Notes

Title: Good Health: Key to Happy Life

I. Meaning of Good Health

A. Base of happy life
B. Depends on habits, food, exercise, mind

II. Balanced Diet

A. Must include – proteins, carbs, fats, vitamins, minerals
B. Avoid – overeating, junk food → obesity, diseases

III. Exercise
A. Types – walking, jogging, yoga, games
B. Benefits – fitness, blood circulation, strong heart, ↓ stress

IV. Mental Health

A. Factors – stress mgmt., meditation, positive thinking
B. Rest → peaceful mind
C. Health = balance of body + mind
Key (Abbreviations)

• carbs = carbohydrates

• ↓ = reduce/decrease

• mgmt. = management

Summary

Good health is the foundation of a happy life. It depends on healthy habits, food, exercise, and
mental peace. A balanced diet with proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals is essential,
while junk food must be avoided. Exercise keeps the body fit, strengthens the heart, and reduces
stress. Mental health requires stress management, meditation, and positive thinking. Thus, true
health is a balance of body and mind.

Example Passage: 3
Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges of the 21st century. Rising temperatures,
melting glaciers, and frequent natural disasters are warning signals of an environmental crisis.
Scientists predict that if global warming continues at the current pace, it will cause irreversible
damage to ecosystems and human societies.
One major cause of climate change is the uncontrolled emission of greenhouse gases due to
industrialisation, deforestation, and vehicular pollution. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere,
leading to a rise in global temperature. Deforestation further reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb
carbon dioxide, aggravating the problem.
The consequences of climate change are already visible. Erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged
droughts, floods, and cyclones are becoming more frequent. Agriculture, which depends heavily on
predictable weather, is under severe threat. Rising sea levels are endangering coastal populations
and small island nations.
Addressing climate change requires collective global effort. Governments must adopt renewable
energy sources, enforce strict pollution control laws, and encourage afforestation. Citizens must
also contribute by adopting eco-friendly lifestyles such as conserving energy, reducing waste, and
using public transport. Only through cooperation between nations and individuals can humanity
hope to overcome this crisis.

Notes

Title: Climate Change: A Global Challenge

I. Crisis Indicators
A. Rising temp.
B. Melting glaciers
C. ↑ Natural disasters
D. Possible irreversible dmg.

II. Causes
A. Greenhouse gas emissions → indust., deforest., vehicles
B. Heat trapped in atm. → temp. rise
C. ↓ Forests → ↓ CO₂ absorption → ↑ problem

III. Consequences
A. Erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, cyclones
B. Threat to agri.
C. Rising sea levels → risk to coastal areas, islands

IV. Solutions
A. Govt. – renewable energy, laws, afforestation
B. Citizens – energy conserve., ↓ waste, public transport
C. Global coop. essential

Key (Abbreviations)
 temp. = temperature
 dmg. = damage
 indust. = industrialisation
 atm. = atmosphere
 agri. = agriculture
 coop. = cooperation
 ↓ = decrease / reduce
 ↑ = increase

Summary

Climate change is a serious global crisis marked by rising temperatures, melting glaciers, and
frequent disasters. Its main causes are greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and
industrialisation. The consequences include erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, agricultural decline,
and rising sea levels threatening coastal regions. To combat this, governments must adopt
renewable energy and strict laws, while citizens should live eco-friendly lifestyles. Only global
cooperation can prevent irreversible environmental damage.