Tips For Taking Notes While Reading

Taking notes on reading requires the same skills that apply to class notes—observation, reading, and review. You should take notes on reading:

• When you need more extensive notes than you can write in the margin of the text.
• When you are reading from a book that you cannot write in such as a borrowed book, library book, etc.

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Methods to use:

• Outlining - works best when the material you are reading is organized.
• Cornell method - divide your note paper into three sectionsp; notes in the right column, key words and questions in the left column, and a summary at the bottom of the page.
• Paragraph form - summarize what you read in your own words and include important terms.
• Mind maps - diagrams/summaries of overlapping lecture and text material.

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Suggestions:

• Your style/method of note taking should vary according to the material.
• For a short story or poem:
  • Read the entire thing once without taking notes.
  • Write down your immediate impressions.
  • Reread the piece, taking notes on characters, plots, etc.
• For scientific/technical material:
  • Copy important formulas, terms, etc.
  • Recreate or write down the page number of important diagrams or figures for later reference.