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Effective Note-Making Techniques

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10 views7 pages

Effective Note-Making Techniques

Uploaded by

shreya Pandey
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

NOTE-MAKING

How To Make Good Notes And Summary Of The Given Passage


The following points will help you in making good notes

 Read the passage quickly but carefully. Try to understand main points and
supporting details.
Underline the keywords as you read.
 Notes should be in points and in an appropriate format.
 Organise your ideas into main heading, sub-headings and sub-sub-
headings (if possible).
 Abbreviations and symbols are freely used.
 Give title to your notes. Avoid a long sentence.
 While making summary sure that your summary does not exceed 1/3 of
the length of the original text.
 The summary should contain only the main ideas and the supporting
details.
 Refer back to the original to ensure that your summary is a true reflection
of the writer’s ideas.

Uses of Abbreviations in Note-Making


Abbreviation helps in writing the information briefly. The following are some of
the ways in which you can use abbreviations.

First few letters of the word are enough to remember what the abbreviation
stands.
For example:

 imp for ‘important’


 info for ‘information’
 eval for ‘evaluation’

Remove all (or most of) the vowels from the word and use just the key
consonants bunched together.
For example

 mngmt for ‘management’


 mkt for ‘market’
 mktng for ‘marketing’
 dvpt for ‘development’
Some Common Abbreviations

Abbreviations Words Abbreviations Words


+ Positive, Plus e.g. for example
– Minus, Negative ie that is
= equals, is the same as, w/o without
does not equal, is not the
* etc. etcetera
same as
= is approximately equal to ♂♀ male / female
< is less than, is smaller than Viz namely
> is greater than, is larger than Asap as soon as possible
↑ increase, rise, growth Mr. Mister
↓ decrease, fall, shrinkage Mrs. Mistress
& And Dr. Doctor
★ special, important, notable Govt. Government
/ per, each

Your notes will look like this:

HEADING
Write the heading/title in block letters.
Underline the heading/title.
Do not give a one-word title for example, The title for a passage on
psychoanalysis could be:‘THE NEED FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS’
A. Main point
1. Sub-point
 1.1 follow the indented format
 1.2 don’t write complete sentences
 1.3 use abbreviations and symbols where required
 1.4 notes should not be very long, four to five main points are
enough 1.5
 1.5.1 sub-sub-point
2. Sub-point

 1.5.2 sub-sub-point
 1.5.3 sub-sub-point
 2.1 sub-sub-point
 2.2 sub-sub-point
B. Main point

How to Organise Your Notes


The decimal format is the most common one in note-making. However it is
possible to use tables, sketches and diagrams depending on the contents of
the text. From the point of view of your limited requirements now, the decimal
format will be suitable for most of the texts included for your tests and
examinations. However, you may organise the notes as shown below.

Format – Mixed Indent


(A) Reasons
[Link]’t rem’ber much info. w’out wrtng
[Link] mem. exams
[Link] consult

(B) Charctristes

[Link]
[Link] pts only
[Link] form
[Link] cmplt sent
i) divs & sub – divs.
ii) use of abbr. & symbls
[Link] ltr

Format II – Indented Roman Numerals


I. Reasons
[Link]’t rem’ber much info. w’out wrtng
[Link] mem. exams
[Link] consult
II. Charctristcs
II. 1 short
II. 2 main pts only
II. 3 note form
II. 3.i no cmplt sent.
II. [Link] divs & sub – divs.
II. [Link] useof abbr. & symbls
II. 4 undrstandbl ltr
Format III – Indented Decimals
1. Reasons
1.1 can’t rem’ber much info. w’out wrtng
1.2 help mem. exams
1.3 can consult
2. Charctristes
2.1 short
2.2 main pts only
2.3 note form
2.3.1 no cmplt sent.
2.3.2 divs & sub – divs.
2.3.3 use of abbr. & symbls
2.4 undrstandbl ltr

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?”

1.1 Make notes an the contents of above paragraph in any format, using abbreviations.
Supply a suitable title also. 5
1.2 Make a summary of the passage. 3

Answers:
1.1 Title: The Art of Conversation Notes:
1. Conv’n—most easily tch’ble art
(a) Reqd. interest’g subject – hobbies
(b) Talk about other fellow’s int./hobby
(c) Win’g reptn. as good conversationalist
(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.

KEY TO ABBREVIATION

1. Conv’n-Conversation
2. tch’ble-teachable
3. Win’g reptn- Winning reputation
4. unpl’nt-unpleasant
5. unhurt’g-unhurting
6. ment’y- mentally
7. tch’ble-teachable
SUMMARY

1.2 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 listeners
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 be quick and witty. You should have a pleasant and unhurting quality.
Mannerism should be avoided.

Note making Example Passage 2:

1. A good business letter is one that gets results. The best way to get results is to
develop a letter that, in its appearance, style and content, conveys information
efficiently. To perform this function, a business letter should be concise, clear and
courteous.
2. The business letter must be concise: don’t waste words. Little introduction or
preliminary chat is necessary. Get to the point, make the point, and leave it. It is
safe to assume that your letter is being read by a very busy person with all kinds
of papers to deal with. Re-read and revise your message until the words and
sentences you have used are precise. This takes time, but is a necessary part of a
good business letter. A short business letter that makes its point quickly has much
more impact on a reader than a long-winded, rambling exercise in creative writing.
This does not mean that there is no place for style and even, on occasion, humour
in the business letter. While it conveys a message in its contents, the letter also
provides the reader with an impression of you, its author: the medium is part of the
message.
3. The business letter must be clear. You should have a very firm idea of what you
want to say, and you should let the reader know it. Use the structure of the letter—
the paragraphs, topic sentences, introduction and conclusion—to guide the reader
point by point from your thesis, through your reasoning, to your conclusion.
Paragraph often, to break up the page and to lend an air of organisation to the
letter. Use an accepted business-letter format. Re-read what you have written
from the point of view of someone who is seeing it for the first time, and be sure
that all explanations are adequate, all information provided (including reference
numbers, dates, and other identification). A clear message, clearly delivered, is
the essence of business communication.
4. The business letter must be courteous. Sarcasm and insults are ineffective and
can often work against you. If you are sure you are right, point that out as politely
as possible, explain why you are right, and outline what the reader is expected to
do about it. Another form of courtesy is taking care in your writing and typing of the
business letter. Grammatical and spelling errors (even if you call them typing
errors) tell a reader that you don’t think enough of him or can lower the reader’s
opinion of your personality faster than anything you say, no matter how idiotic.
There are excuses for ignorance; there are no excuses for sloppiness.
5. The business letter is your custom-made representative. It speaks for you and is a
permanent record of your message. It can pay big dividends on the time you
invest in giving it a concise message, a clear structure, and a courteous tone.

2.1 Make notes on the passage using recognisable abbreviations in any suitable format.
Give a title to the passage. 5
2.2 Make a summary of the passage. 3

Answers:
2.1 Title: Writing a Business Letter
Notes:

1. Features of a gd. busns letter


1.1 conveys info efficiently to get results
1.2 is concise
1.3 is clear
1.4 is courteous
2. How to write a gd. busns. letter
2.1 Making letter concise
2.1.1 Intro shd be brief
2.1.2 make your pt in precise words and sent’s
2.1.3 short letr more effective
2.1.4 style is imp.—may ocasnly have hum’r
2.2 Achieving clarity
2.2.1 Have a clear idea of what you wish to say
2.2.2 structr the letter—intro & conclsn.
2.2.3 use accepted format; para, topic, sent’s
2.2.4 check facts, expl’ns, refs.
2.3 Being courteous
2.3.1 Expln. your pt. politely—avoid sarcasm/insults.
2.3.2 careful wrtg & typg.
2.3.3 gram. & spel’g errors to be avoided
3. Importance of busns. letr
3.1 a representative
3.2 permanent rec. message.

KEY TO ABBREVIATION

[Link].-Explanation

[Link]- business

[Link]’g-spelling

[Link]’s-sentences

5. ocasnly-occasionally

6. conclsn.-conclusion

7. structr- structure

SUMMARY

2.2 A good business letter is that lends you positive and quality results. To get such
results, a business letter should be effective in appearance, style and content. Apart
from this a letter should be concise, clear and courteous. The business letter should be
to the point as the message can be clear to the reader with an impression of you. The
structure of letter should have topic sentence, introduction, paragraphs to conclusion.
Reread the points you have written to avoid sarcasm and insults that can work against
your motive. Further more grammar and spelling errors need to be avoided.

Common questions

Powered by AI

Checking for grammatical and spelling errors in business communication is vital because errors can negatively impact the reader's perception of the communicator's competence and professionalism. Such mistakes might convey a sense of carelessness or disrespect, potentially harming the credibility of the message and the reputation of its sender. A letter free of errors represents a courteous, respectful, and professional approach, thereby positively influencing the overall communication outcome .

Note-making contributes to academic success by aiding memory retention and recall, especially during examinations. This technique allows students to condense large volumes of information into digestible formats, use organized headings and subheadings, and implement abbreviations and symbols for efficiency. Consequently, students find it easier to review and remember key points, which enhances their performance in exams .

Knowing the interests of your listeners can enhance your effectiveness as a conversationalist because it allows you to choose topics that engage your audience, making the conversation more enjoyable and captivating. By discussing subjects your listeners are passionate about, you are more likely to be seen as a thoughtful and engaging interlocutor, which can build rapport and strengthen relationships. Additionally, avoiding self-centered topics helps in maintaining listener interest and preventing the conversation from becoming a monologue .

The mixed indent format for organizing notes offers the benefit of flexibility in representing hierarchical information. By using a combination of letters, numbers, and indentations, it allows for clear differentiation between main points, subpoints, and details, fostering better understanding and recall. Compared to other styles, such as the decimal or indented Roman numerals format, mixed indent can be more visually appealing and adaptable to different content structures, making it suitable for various note-taking scenarios .

The structure of a business letter plays a crucial role in its effectiveness by organizing the content to guide the reader logically from the thesis, through reasoning, to the conclusion. A clear structure, which includes clearly defined sections such as paragraphs and topic sentences, breaks up the page for better readability and lends an air of organization. This structural clarity helps in delivering a concise and clear message, essential for efficient communication and making a positive impression on the reader .

Understanding key points and supporting details improves the quality of a summary by ensuring that it captures the essence of the original text while remaining concise. By identifying the main ideas and essential details, one can distill complex information into a more succinct form without losing its core message. This ensures that the summary reflects the writer’s ideas accurately, allowing for efficient conveyance of information and comprehension by others .

Using abbreviations in note-making is recommended because they help in writing information briefly without losing essential content. Abbreviations can be formed by using the first few letters of a word, removing vowels to retain key consonants, or using common symbols. This method facilitates faster note-taking and helps keep notes organized and concise, which is especially useful for review and efficient information recall .

Courteous language plays a critical role in effective business communication as it demonstrates respect for the recipient and encourages a positive interaction. Courteousness avoids creating hostility or misunderstanding that might arise from sarcasm or aggressive tones. When a message is delivered politely, it not only conveys professionalism but also enhances the reader's receptiveness, potentially leading to better responses and outcomes. This helps in building and maintaining strong business relationships .

A structured business letter should include a clear structure with topic sentences, an introduction, paragraphs, and a conclusion. It must also be concise, with each point made precisely and briefly. Using an accepted business-letter format, the structure should guide the reader through the content efficiently. Additionally, the letter should maintain a courteous tone, avoiding sarcasm or insults, and it should be grammatically correct and free of spelling errors .

The principles of effective conversation enhance interpersonal skills by encouraging the speaker to focus on topics that interest the listener, thereby increasing engagement and creating a positive reputation. Avoiding unpleasant topics or talking too much about oneself can prevent boredom and disengagement. Additionally, being mentally quick, witty, and avoiding mannerisms fosters a pleasant and unhurting exchange, leading to better connections and social interactions .

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