Note Making

• Acts as a mechanism for gathering resources

from many sources and pooling them towards a
common objective
As a systematic method of writing down quickly ,
briefly, and clearly the important points of a
reading text. Its functions are: Keep a record,
revise for exams, update info, reinforce or
compare information, to analyse a text.
• Note making includes: Reading strategy, note-
writing techniques, reduction devices,
organisation techniques, methods of
sequencing.
• Following can be used as reading strategy: Read the text
quickly to know the purpose , scope, central idea, logical
organisation
Read the text again in order to identify the main points and
important details
Recognise key lexical items related to the topic
Identify relationship among units within the text (main points,
generalisations, illustrations)
Read for key points and signal words
Recognise markers of cohesion
Ignore irrelevant matter and concentrate on the important points
Deduce meanings of words and phrases from their context and infer
relationships
Interpret graphic aids used in the text
 Note Making Techniques
• Topicalising : It refers to writing down a word or
phrases to represent a section of the text. The topic ,
the main points and important supporting details
should be written as they appear in the text.
Unnecessary or redundant words/ phrases should be
removed.
• Schematising: It is good for the information which is
given in the form of figures, classifications, contrasts,
processes etc. It includes the organising notes in the
form of tables and diagrams for accurate and easy
read-back. Choice of a non-verbal method largely
depends on the nature and kind of text.
• Reduction Devices: It refers to the techniques used to shorten
expressions in order to save time.
Appropriate abbreviations and symbols may be used. So, standard
abbreviations and symbols should be used so that there is no scope
for confusion and misunderstanding.
• Abbreviation Methods:
Use the first letters of the words: sulphur as S , West as W
Use the first letters of the phrases: kilogram as Kg, Cubic centimeter
as CC etc.
Use the first few letters of words / phrases: approximately as
approx, difference as diff, edition as ed, especially as esp etc.
Use the first few letters of words/phrase: magnesium as Mg, Month
as mth, Year as yr etc.
Use special techniques to abbreviate: Compare as if, that is as i.e.,
for example as e.g. etc.
Use of symbols: At the rate of as @, dollar as $, percentage as %,
etc.
• Organisation Techniques: It depends on the type and length of
the text. The notes have to be organised in terms of headings
and subordinate points.
Follow the followings:
Providing a suitable title: Help in recalling the main subject and
central idea of the passage. It is good to underline the title in
order to make the notes clear.
Providing headings and sub-headings: An appropriate heading
should be provided for every main point and sub headings may
be given for supporting details. Subordinate points may be
independent of each other or related to each other.
Sequencing: It refers to the process of making a clear layout for
accurate interpretation of notes. It gives coherence to the notes
and helps in accurate and easy read-back. Numerals and letters,
and decimalisation as the sequencing techniques can be used as
per the nature and scope of information in the text.
 Five Methods of Preparing Notes
The Cornell Method: After writing the notes in the main space of the page,
use the left-hand space to label each idea and detail with a key word. It is
easy format for pulling out major concepts and ideas. It is like a ‘do-it-right-
in-the -first-place’ system.
The Outlining Method: Best for the informative kind of lectures and text. In
this, the information which is most general begins at the left, with each
more specific group of facts indented with spaces to the right. The
relationship between the different parts is carried out through indentation.
Outlining helps in recording content and obserserving relationship among
various points. It follows:
• 1. First main topic
• (a) Sub-topic
1. Detail
2. Detail
(b) Sub-topic
II. Second main topic
(a) Sub-topic
The Mapping Method: It is graphic representation of the
whole talk or lecture. Use your critical thinking and create a
map of the whole info that you receive in lectures or talks.
It may be used for heavy and well organized lecture. It
helps you to track the lecture and review can be done in it.

The Taxonomizing Method : It helps in chart or record the

info in a systematic manner. It reduces the amount of
unnecessary writing. In it, one may divide the page by
drawing quadrangles and label them with appropriate
headings such as history, causes, effects and measures.

The Sentence Method: In it, write every new though, fact,

or topic on a separate line as you progress. One can get
more info by this method. It is good for those who do not
know the technical way of taking down notes.
Introduction of Different Kinds of Technical
Documents
Thesis: A document submitted in support of candidate for a degree or
professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings. It
is specific and focused. The researcher asserts his/her conclusion based on
evidence, anticipating and refusing the counter arguments. It adds new
knowledge to already existing theory. It includes outline, organization,
time management, repetition, style presentation, structure(front matter,
main body, back matter) as its features.
Scientific Article and Research Paper: Forms of written documents
of the highest quality and require a thorough knowledge of the technique
and method of writing. It presents research findings, visibility to new
findings, adds the existing knowledge, records scientific info. It includes
title, abstract, Introduction, method of study, results, discussion,
conclusion, references, acknowledgement, appendices.
 Dissertation: A project report work done during the tenure of
the course. It is not more than 150-170 pages as an account of
research done on a current topic. It follows academic
convention and is an academic activity. It includes front
matter, main body, back matter.
Proposal : A document written for presenting one’s ideas in
such a style that readers accept the message and take action.
It is persuasive, promote services and products to the client. It
has two types:
Internal
External Proposal : Solicited and Unsolicited
1. Solicited: invited by the organization for the solution of a
problem termed as RPF ( Request for Proposals)
2. Unsolicited are written for getting new business