Note Taking Skills

• Write phrases, not full sentences
• Key words only, skip words like “the” and “a”
• Retain key technical or discipline-specific terms

Paraphrasing

• Paraphrase everything except where information needs to be noted exactly
• Helps understand and remember what you hear

Structuring Notes

• Use headings, subheadings, and numbered lists
• Headings indicate topic areas or include bibliographic details
• Outline form and/or numbering system and indenting to distinguish major from minor points
• Clear way of indicating the structure of lecture information

Coding Notes

• Use color and symbols to mark structure and emphasis
• Color to highlight major sections, main points, and diagrams
• Different colors to classify and link concepts or information by topic
• Focus on highlighting and underlining during revision, not during the lecture
• Underline, circle, star, etc. to identify key information, examples, definitions, or important materials
• Devise own marking code to indicate each type

Missing Information

• Write key words if something is missed
• Leave space on the page for own notes and comments

Symbols and Abbreviations

• Use symbols and abbreviations for frequently used words, phrases, or names
• Be consistent and keep a “key list” for reference in the future