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Key skills Monica Ricketts De Montfort University 27.08.01 communication skills note making ref C2ii

Using different note making techniques can help to improve

the overall effectiveness of your notes.

Linear notesMost students write notes in linear form.

These notes follow the programme order of the lecture or the structureof the book and include all stages of the argument. Students use a.b.c.,A.B.C., i. ii. iii., etc. to mark a pathway through the argument. Thesenotes are always useful and safe if you are not confident.

However, uniformity in making notes means that you are missing out on

the very effective visual side of your thinking.

Diagrammatic notes... or patterned notes

Use keywords as their focus and enable you to get away from the linearform. Making a diagram does demand time but its worth it. You need tofind your own way of making and developing diagrams. These diagramsenable you to use both verbal and visual memory and interpretation .

Inject colour , humour even, as well as different images and sizes. Anote-making system that uses these approaches makes your notes more

memorable to you. Start in the middle of the page and let associations radiate outwards.

content

linearstorage

lecturesthe text

purpose

note-making

A4ringbinder

easyto add

Post-Itnotes

display

diagrammatic

focus on note making

how to make notes

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Monica Ricketts De Montfort University 2708.01 communication skills note making Key skillsref C2ii

Remember this sheet is a quick focus only for more on this subject seebelow.

BibliographyBARRASS, Robert (1994) Study! Bury St. Edmunds, Chapman & Hall

p47 sequential & creative notes

BUZAN, Tony (1990) The Mind Map Book , London, BBC Books

pp251, 270-1, 290-1 examples of diagrammatic notes in colour etc. pp278-9 computer mind mapping, etc.

COTTRELL, Stella (1999)The Study Skills Handbook , Basingstoke,Macmillan

pp117-9 note making styles

HABESHAW, Trevor & Sue, GIBBS, Graham (1989) 53 Interesting Ways of Helping Your Students to Study, Bristol, Technical & Educational Services2nd Ed.

pp95-6 linear/patterned notes, examples of patterns

LASHLEY, Conrad (1995) Improving Study Skills, London, Cassell

p53 different techniques improve effectiveness

NORTHEDGE, Andrew (1995)The Good Study Guide, Milton Keynes, Open

University p44 creating diagrams

RACE, Phil & BROWN, Sally (1995)500 Tips for Tutors , London, KoganPage

p56 make patterned notes

Other titles in this set C2i Why make notes?

C2iii Notes content and storage C2iv Signs, symbols and abbreviations

C2R Resources