Welcome to our guide on Note-Making! Whether you're a student striving for academic excellence or a professional looking to organize information effectively, mastering the art of note-making is essential. This page will help you understand the importance, steps, and best practices of note-making.
Why Note-Making is Important
Note-making is a vital skill that helps in:
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Retention: Enhances memory by summarizing and organizing information.
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Efficiency: Saves time during revision and information retrieval.
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Clarity: Breaks down complex information into manageable parts.
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Focus: Keeps you engaged and focused during reading or lectures.
Characteristics of Good Notes
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Concise: Focus on key points and essential information.
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Logical: Use clear divisions and sub-divisions for organization.
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Abbreviations: Utilize abbreviations and symbols to condense information.
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Clarity: Ensure notes are understandable upon revisiting.
Step-by-Step Guide to Note-Making
Note-making is a crucial skill for effectively summarizing and retaining information from texts, lectures, and other sources. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide to mastering note-making:
Step 1: Identify Key Information
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Read the Passage Thoroughly: Start by reading the entire passage carefully to get a general understanding of the content.
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Highlight or Underline Key Points: As you read, highlight or underline important information, such as main ideas, significant details, and any critical facts or statistics.
Step 2: Ask and Answer Questions
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Generate Questions: Based on the passage, generate questions that can help identify the key points. Common questions include:
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What is the main topic?
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Where is the information focused?
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When did the events occur?
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Who is involved?
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Why is this information important?
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How did these events or processes happen?
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Answer the Questions: Use the highlighted information to answer these questions succinctly.
Step 3: Summarize in Note Form
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Write Short Phrases: Convert the answers into short, concise phrases. Avoid full sentences to keep the notes brief and to the point.
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Use Abbreviations and Symbols: Simplify your notes by using common abbreviations and symbols (e.g., “&” for “and”, “vs” for “versus”).
Step 4: Organize Notes
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Group Related Points: Combine related ideas into single points. This helps in reducing redundancy and creating a more cohesive summary.
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Use Formatting Tools: Utilize colons, dashes, bullets, or numbering to organize the information clearly. This makes the notes easier to review later.
Step 5: Number the Points
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Logical Sequence: Number the points in a logical order. This could be chronological, thematic, or based on importance.
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Hierarchical Structure: Use a hierarchical structure if needed, with main points and sub-points. This can be done using:
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Main sections: 1, 2, 3, etc.
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Sub-sections: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, etc.
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Sub-sub-sections: 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, etc.
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Help with Abbreviations
By following these steps and guidelines, your notes will be clear, concise, and easy to review.
1. Standard Abbreviations and Symbols
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Capitalization: Capitalize the first letters of state names, countries, and organizations.
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Examples: UP, USA, UK, UNO
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Note: Prefer creating your own abbreviations.
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Common Abbreviations:
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Examples: Sc. (science), Mr, Mrs, Dr, govt, BSc, etc.
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Common Symbols:
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Examples: i.e., e.g., Rx, /, ∴ , +ve, -ve, → (leading to), ↑ (rising), ↓ (falling), =, >, <
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Measurements and Figures:
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Examples: 100″, 100′, 100 kg, 100 mm, 100 mL
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2. Making Your Own Abbreviations
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Main Sounds: Keep the main sounds of the words.
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Examples: edn. (education), progm. (programme)
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First and Last Letters: Keep the first few and the last letters of the word.
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Examples: edu’n (education), dev’ing (developing)
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Suffix Retention: Retain the suffix for clarity.
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Examples: ed’nal (educational), prog’ve (progressive)
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3. Cautions with Abbreviations
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Avoid Overenthusiasm: Do not abbreviate excessively.
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Limit Abbreviations: One abbreviation per point is sufficient.
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No Abbreviations in Headings: Do not abbreviate headings.
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Abbreviations in Subheadings: It is acceptable to use abbreviations in subheadings.
Independent Practice
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Individual Note-Making:
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Distribute a different passage to each student (or pair them up if preferred).
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Instruct students to independently make notes on the passage using the techniques learned.
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Monitor and assist students as they work.
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Conclusion
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Review:
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Recap the main points of the lesson. Ask students to share their notes and discuss any challenges they faced.
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Emphasize the importance of practice in becoming proficient at note-making.
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Assignment:
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Assign students to choose a passage from their textbook or another subject and make notes on it using the steps learned in class. This will reinforce the day's lesson and provide further practice.
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Assessment:
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Observe student participation during guided practice.
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Review the notes made during independent practice for understanding and proper technique.
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Evaluate the homework assignment for completeness and accuracy.
Sample Note 1
1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow: [NCT 2018]
1. Flexibility and mobility are essential not only to reduce the risk of injuries but to generally feel better. Living a nine to five desk life can be demanding on health and wellness. Here is how you can keep the most common problems at bay.
2. Even if you are not exercising you need to make sure that you maintain correct posture and sit at your desk in the right way. It is important that your chair is placed correctly and your legs are not left hanging. Proper alignment ensures that your neck and back are not strained. Exercises and abdominal crunches two to three times a week can strengthen the core. It will help take the pressure off your back and will make it easier to maintain good posture. Chairs with a back that support your upper back are preferable for those who work long hours in front of screens.
3. Constant typing, writing reports, and answering e-mails can exert your wrists leading to long-term damage. The frequency of your use and how you position your wrists at your keyboard can be a reason. The telltale signs of exertion would be a tingling sensation or numbness. One should not ignore initial signs. Make sure that you rest your wrist at regular intervals. To relieve tension quickly fold your hands in a NAMASTE in front of your chest with elbows moving out and lower your hands till you feel a good stretch in your wrists. Also rotating your fists inside and outside provides much relief to strained wrists.
4. Since those who work on desks spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen, they are at a risk of straining their eyes. This may also lead to dry eyes and fatigue. Poor eyesight is the result of continued and improper exposure to screens. Keeping the computer screen at an optimal distance helps a lot in minimising strain to eyes. The screen shouldn’t be too close or too far. To ease eye strain use good lighting and make it a point to look at a distance away from your screen every twenty to thirty minutes.
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage make notes on it using headings and subheadings. Use recognisable abbreviations and a format you consider suitable. Also, supply a title to it.
(b) Write a summary of the passage in not more than 80 words using the notes made.
Maintaining Health and Wellness for Desk Workers
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Importance of Flexibility and Mobility
1. 1 Ess’l. to reduce injury risk
1.2 Ben’l. for overall well-being
2. Maintaining Proper Posture
2.1 Correct chair placement and leg position
2.2 Avoid hanging legs
2.3 Proper alint.to prevent neck/back strain
2.4 Exercises: Abdominal crunches (2-3 times/week) for core strength
2.5 Chairs with upper back support reced.
3. Preventing Wrist Strain
3.1 Caused by typing, writing, and email use
3.2 Positioning of wrists on keyboard is crucial
3.3 Signs: Tingling/numbness
3.4 Solutions:
3.4.1 Rest wrists regularly
3.4.2 Stretch: NAMASTE position
3.4.3 Rotate fists inside and outside
4. Reducing Eye Strain
4.1 Screen time leads to eye strain, dry eyes, and fatigue
4.2 Poor eyesight from improper screen exposure
4.3 Optimal screen distance imp.
4.4 Solutions:
4.4.1 Use good lighting
4.4.2 Look away from the screen every 20-30 mins
Abbreviation Key
1. Ess’l. Essential
2. Ben’l. Beneficial
3. alint. Alignment
4. reced. Recommended
5. imp. important
Summary:
Flexibility and mobility are crucial for reducing injury risk and enhancing overall well-being for desk workers. Maintaining proper posture, with correct chair and leg positioning, and engaging in core-strengthening exercises are important. Wrist strain from typing can be alleviated through regular breaks and stretching exercises. To reduce eye strain from screen exposure, it's vital to keep the computer at an optimal distance, use good lighting, and take breaks to look away from the screen every 20-30 minutes.
Sample Note 2
NOTE MAKING
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow: [NCT 2015]
Twenty-one-year-old Jyoti Amge, the smallest woman in the world, laughs easily and often. Perhaps, from a height of twenty-three inches, the world does look a bit funny. Afflicted with achondroplasia, a form of pituitary dwarfism, 21-year-old Amge is a bit shorter than her two-year-old nephew and a lad taller than her framed Guinness certificate. In fact, Amge, the youngest of five, wasn’t even visible in her mother’s womb. The doctors thought she wasn’t alive and her mother Ranjana, who underwent a two-hour caesarian operation in her tenth month to birth her, welcomed her youngest as a blessing. In all of Amge’s birthday pictures in the album, her height is the same from age three to twenty-one. Kitted out in custom made frocks and bright red lipstick; with fancy beads lining her permed hair, the tiny Amge turned heads in Nagpur and became a hit with Hindi news channel crews that approached her for bytes, any excuse would do, even the elections. Apart from a cameo in a Mika Singh video, she appeared briefly on the reality show Big Boss 6. “I have always wanted to be an actor,” says Amge. Amge was quick to say yes when the producers of ‘American Horror Story’ Freak Show contacted her. “They had seen my interview in a New York daily,” says Amge, who readily agreed to play the role of Ma Petite, the miniature sari- and-bindi-clad assistant of a woman. “In spite of the name the show was not about freaks it was about compassion,” says Amge. “What makes the world so interesting in that we are different and some folks a little bit odd,” she said. Sadly, Amge’s own home country does not seem to respect differences. Amge’s brother complained that unlike the West where “people ask permission before clicking a photo,” Indians take her privacy for granted. People look at her like she’s a wonder, an ajooba and try to get too close to her. I have to shelter her like a body guard, adds Satish. Amge’s family members now make up her entourage. They help Amge, who suffered an accident in Kashmir that severely fractured her left leg, with everything from braiding her hair to carrying her to the washbasin. Be it the nearby mall or a trip to China, one or more of them always accompany her.
(a) Based on your reading make notes on the above passage. Use abbreviations where necessary. Give a suitable title to your notes.
(b) Write the summary of the passage in your words. Don’t forget to write the title.
Jyoti Amge: The World's Smallest Woman
1. Jyoti Amge's Background
1.1. 21 yrs. old, height: 23 inches
1.2. Afed. with achondroplasia (pituitary dwarfism)
1.3. Shorter than 2-yr-old nephew
1.4. Youngest of 5 siblings
1.5.Not visible in the womb; doctors thought she wasn't alive
1.6. Birth: 2-hr can. peration in the 10th month
1.7. Consistent height from age 3 to 21
2. Public Attention and Media Presence
2.1. Custom-made frocks, bright red lipstick, fancy beads
2.2. Popular in Nagpur; Hindi news channels often feature her
2.3. Appearances:
2.3.1. Cameo in Mika Singh video
2.3.2. Reality show: Big Boss 6
3. Acting Aspirations and Opportunities
3.1. Desire to be an actor
3.2. Role in 'American Horror Story: Freak Show'
3.3. Played Ma Petite
3.4. Show emphasizes com. over oddity
4. Challenges in India
4.1. Lack of respect for differences
4.2. Privacy issues: People take photos without per.
4.3. Viewed as a wonder or ajooba
4.4. Brother Satish acts as a bodyguard
5. Family Support and Daily Life
5.1. Family members as entourage
5.2. Assistance with daily activities (hair braiding, carrying to washbasin)
5.3. Acc. on trips (e.g., mall, China)
5.4. Incident: Accident in Kashmir, severe leg fracture
Key to abbreviations
1. yrs. Years
2. Afed. Afflicted
3. can. Caesarean
4. com. Compassion
5. per. Permission
6. Acc. Accompanied
Summary:
Jyoti Amge, at 21 years old and 23 inches tall due to achondroplasia, is recognized as the world's smallest woman. Despite her height remaining unchanged since age three, she garners significant media attention in India. She has expressed a keen interest in acting, landing roles in reality shows and TV series like 'American Horror Story: Freak Show'. However, she faces privacy challenges in India, where people often invade her personal space. Jyoti navigates her unique life with resilience, supported by her family, who assist with daily tasks and accompany her on outings.