Lecture Note Taking: General Guidelines

1. Establish a Notebook for Each Course

• Use a separate notebook for each of your classes.

A 3-ring binder is recommended over a spiral bound notebook as it allows you to include your syllabus and handouts, recopy your notes if necessary, and add notes if you missed a class. However, if you prefer to use a spiral bound notebook, be sure to purchase a pocket folder to go with it.

• Date and number each set of class notes.
  

2. Determine the Purpose of the Lecture

The most common purposes of lectures are:

• To explain, or clarify, the information in the text.
  
  
• To expand on the text by adding new information not mentioned in the text.
  
  
• To present examples and anecdotes to make the information more meaningful and interesting.
  
  
• To discuss and/or raise questions about information being learned.

(Note: To determine if your instructor is explaining or expanding on textbook information during the lecture, refer to your text after the lecture and see if you can locate the information you recorded in your notes. Mark those parts of your textbook that were emphasized in lecture.)

3. Develop a Note Taking Method

• Begin each set of notes with a general topic.

The lecture topic for the day should be written at the top of your paper. Each time a new topic is presented start a new page. If you’re unsure of the topic, refer to your syllabus or headings in assigned textbook pages for that particular day.

• Be selective about what you record.

Do not try to record verbatim every word the instructor says with the exception of definitions, which should be written exactly as they are given. Instead, try to identify the instructor’s organization of the lecture which usually consists of general and specific pieces of information. Also note patterns, trends, procedures, different perspectives on an issue, etc. that are being discussed and record them in your notes.

• Use an informal outline.

Do not use the formal outline format of Roman numerals, letters, and numbers. As an alternative, list the main ideas related to the topic and indent relevant details (e.g. definitions, facts, examples, statistics, etc.). Information should be written in phrases rather than sentences.

• Use abbreviations.

Since the rate of speech exceeds the rate of writing, abbreviate common words (e.g., “&” for and; “w/” for with) and long words (e.g., “cont.” for continued; “dev.” for developed) to maximize the amount of information you will be able to record.

• Include examples in your notes.

Examples are often mentioned in lecture to help clarify or apply concepts being learned, and sometimes these examples – or similar ones – are included on exams. Therefore, be sure to include them in your notes.

• Use the left margin of your paper to comment on the notes you wrote.

  Write “key words” in the left-hand column (to the left of the red, vertical line) that refer to the main points in your notes. These words can be used to help you identify important information as well as recall the details you wrote in the right-hand column. You can also write symbols and abbreviations in the left-hand column to draw your attention towards specific pieces of information. Examples are:

  “T” (test question) “?” (confusing) “ex” (example) “def.” (definition) “impt.” (important)

4. Listen From the Instructor’s Perspective

Susan Ziegert, University of Wisconsin – Waukesha, Lecture Note Taking: General Guidelines