Note-taking

Note-taking allows you to record key points for later inclusion in your assignment; it saves having to recall or re-read the original information. It is very easy to copy'n'paste from the Internet - which is fine, so long as those slabs of information don't end up in your assignment, pretending to be your ideas :(

Your teacher may ask you to hand up your notes as evidence of your research process so don't throw them away!

Your style of note-taking can vary according to your source material, purpose, personal learning style and even your mood on the day. Click here to evaluate your current note-taking system.

If you have difficulty or are disinclined to take notes explore these tips, tricks and online tools, .....

Some of the simplest note-taking methods include:

Highlighting key words and phrases - you can do this manually with a highlighter pen and paper or electronically within Word documents. Numbering or colour coding the highlighted sections according to the sequence of points/paragraphs you plan to include in your report, will make writing your first draft easier.
Create a word document with a 2 column table. Copy'n'paste the chunks of information into the first column. Highlight the key words and phrases and copy only those words and phrases into the second column; formatting them as bullet points. You can if you wish add a 3rd column (switch to Landscape page set-up) and rewrite the bullet points in your own words as part of writing your first draft.
Use this note-taking template which keeps your information organised as you work. You will first need to work out an essay or report plan.

Taking notes by hand as you read might seem old-fashioned, but this 'active reading' actually helps the information sink into your head where your brain processes it into your own ideas and words. You are more likely to understand what you physically read and write than if you mechanically copy'n'paste slabs of text.

Tools for reading, writing and thinking - a comprehensive list of tools and templates to note and organise information.
Taking notes is a checklist that helps you paraphrase and summarise what you read.
Extracting notes is another useful website that offers an alternative note-taking template.

Converting the notes you have taken into your own words is a challenge for many students. The key skills to master here are paraphrasing and summarising. Be careful to avoid accidental plagiarism. Quotes can be useful but do not overuse them.

Above all, always record your sources - to help you find them again and to show the range of sources you have used. The bibliography worksheet will help you to record all the relevant details.

In the Web 2.0 world there are many online and interactive tools to help you take effective notes:

Wikipedia - Notetaking follow the links to discover online tools and how to make your own note-taking templates.
Notetaking.systems
Note taking methods (interactive site)
Notestar - an online noting tool
Digital index card - A web-based tool for collecting and evaluating internet information.
ReadWriteThink Notetaker - a simple interactive tool
ZapNotes is a note-taking system that students can download onto their computer to help them organize ideas and concepts in preparation for writing. Students use ZapNotes much as they would use sticky notes or index cards - for jotting down ideas or information gathered on a topic - and can save, organize and export their notes digitally.