Note Taking Strategies

Ever thought of note-taking as a process that should be planned for and not something to do haphazardly? Note taking is often considered as just the mere activity of taking notes probably when one is in a meeting or class. Due to that reason, most of the notes that are made by people are messy they are unorganized, and one cannot get much out of them after reading them. Organization of notes does not do with the way the neatness of the handwriting. It is rather about the organization of notes in a systematic and presentable manner that can be easily read and one can relate the way that one idea transpires to the next.  Some of the best notes taking strategies are the visual note taking, the outlining methods, and the charting method. Each of the strategies has its own organization of notes that narrows down to the production of quality notes. The use of methodological note-taking strategies engages one in active listening and writing which improves understanding of the topic in question.

Visual note-taking is one methodological approach that an individual can use to organize their notes and improve their understanding of the topic in question. Unlike other note-taking strategies, this strategy requires the representation of notes in a non-linguistic manner. It is the resemblance of an artistic way of capturing information such that one maps the information that they acquire into a form of a concept map (Rohde 4). Visual note taking cannot be vague because before someone maps some idea into a visual item, they must have understood it completely. It is a process that requires active listening and internalization of the subject such that one forms some imagery and then draws up the imagery. Whether the visual notes are simple or complex, one idea that remains in them is that they are well thought and understanding of the concept in question is high. Visual note-taking is, therefore, a very appropriate strategy where active listening and writing take place with the understanding being extremely high.  

The outlining method of note taking is another methodological approach that structures notes in an organized manner where active listening and writing can be seen to take place. The outlining note-taking method is one where a writer makes use of headings. Each heading involves a specific full concept. The heading resembles an idea that needs to be expounded on. Below the heading, notes are represented in bullet points. The outlining method note-taking approach can, therefore, be seen as an approach where one breaks down necessary concepts in a learning process to simple points that can be represented as headings and points below the headings explaining each concept (Bui and Myerson 14,). A relationship between each topic and subtopic can be seen as one observes the transition from one bullet point to the other. To break a concept into subheadings and explanations in bullet points beneath requires active listening and writing. The writer of the notes has a strong understanding of the topic they are learning which enables them to break the topic down into subtopics. Active listening, writing, and understanding are therefore assured using this approach.

The charting note-taking method is the other methodological approach of note taking where active listening and writing take place. Using the method, a writer will be required to draw columns on their notebook. In each column, specific information will be outlined. In each column, the author will relay information that they deem like a subtopic. It is therefore clear to the writes that in each column they will write specific details. Using the method notes look like they are charts. Viewing this method of note-taking, each page will be divided into columns (FIVE NOTETAKING METHODS 2). The columns will be categorized with the subtopic under which pertinent information will be written in the rows below the column. The process, therefore, requires active listening because the writer will first have to understand the various subtopics and what they entail. They will also have to differentiate the very minute details such that peculiar information is relayed in its own row. The organization of notes that are written in charts is also appealing because the notes show an organization from the very appearance. The chart approach thus enhances understanding due to active listening and writing.

In conclusion, note taking should not be taken just like another regular activity that people especially students undertake. It instead ought to be considered as an active process of learning. Understanding an internalization of the matter being learned about is therefore necessary. In that spectral view methodological note-taking becomes quintessential. The chart, the visual and the outlining note taking are some of the best note-taking strategies that can be put in place. Each of the three approaches is peculiar in that the writer has to first identify the various elements of the matter in question. Active listening understanding and writing take place in each of the methodological approaches. They are therefore sufficient approaches that not only allow someone to make notes but also internalize and understand the topic entirely.

Works Cited

Bui, Dung C., and Joel Myerson. “The role of working memory abilities in lecture note-taking.” Learning and Individual Differences 33 (2014): 12-22.

FIVE NOTETAKING METHODS. ACADEMIC SUCCESS & DISABILITY SERVICES, University of Redlands, 2019. Web. 29 Jan. 2019.

Rohde, Mike. The sketchnote handbook: the illustrated guide to visual note taking. Peachpit Press, 2013.