- A
- B
- C
Listen to conversation between a student and a professor, take detailed notes while listening.
abbreviate – to shorten a word by only writing a few letters of that word
cramp – to cause a painful tightening of a muscle
incomplete – lacking some part
outline – the main ideas and points of a lecture but not the details
subtopic – a topic that covers a more specific feature of a main topic
Fill in the following diagram.
Triggers
1.
Solutions
A 2.
B 3.
C 4.
Now answer the questions using your notes.
Bad Note-Taking Skills
What suggestions does the professor give the student? Place a check mark in the correct box.
Summarize the text using your notes and diagram.
- 1: Notes taken in class are incomplete.
- 2: Copy the outline before the class starts.
- 3: Fill in subtopics.
- 4: Use abbreviations and symbols.
Listen again:
M: Can I talk to you for a minute Professor Allen?
W: Sure, David. What can I do for you?
M: I didn't get to copy down all the terms that you mentioned in today's lecture. And I know they were important.
W: Do you remember what parts of the lecture you had trouble with?
M: Uh, not really.
W: Hmm. Do you mind if I take a look at your notes?
M: Sure.
W: Hmm. Interesting.
M: What?
W: David, just by scanning your notes from today and from previous classes, I can tell that you've been missing a lot of important information from my lectures! Your notes are rather incomplete.
M: What's wrong? I thought I took good notes.
W: Mmm … not exactly. I think your note-taking skills could use some improvement.
M: Oh.
W: What I suggest is that you copy down the outline that I put on the board at the start of each class. That way you can follow along and keep up with the main ideas of the lecture.
M: Okay.
W: Second, use that outline to help you fill in the subtopics that develop each main point. Don't worry about writing down everything I say word for word. It looks like you are trying to do that. Focus on understanding the organization of the lecture. That will help you identify which information is most important. That is the information you should write down.
M: All right. That's a good idea!
W: Oh, and one more thing. You might find it useful to abbreviate words and use symbols. That can save you a lot of time and keep your hand from cramping.
