Effective Reading &

Note-taking

Reading for different purposes

0For specific information 0 Meaning of a word from a dictionary

0Finding the answer to a question0 How to do things in Microsoft Office

0Getting more detailed information0 Newspaper and magazine articles

Adapted from Freeman & Meed, 1993, p.32.

Reading for different purposes

0Improving your understanding of something0 Reasons why the world went to war in 1939

0For pleasure0 Novels, websites, things which interest you

Each kind of reading requires a different approach

Adapted from Freeman & Meed, 1993, p.32.

Types of reading0Skimming

0 Orientating and finding your way around a source

0Scanning0 Finding a particular piece of information

0Reading to understand0 Getting sense of each sentence and the overall argument

0Word-by-word reading0 Technical or scientific details and detailed instructions

0Reading for pleasure0 Reading without a goal, at your own pace, for relaxation

Adapted from Freeman & Meed, 1993, pp.33-34.

Types of readingAs a general rule, each type of reading suits a

different purpose for reading. Can you match them?

Finding out what causes iron to oxidise

Learning the professional approach to removing rust

Finding the chemical symbol for iron oxide

To increase your knowledge of why things rust

SkimmingScanningReading to understandReading word-by-word

Types of reading

By recognising the kind of reading you need to do, you can use the appropriate type of reading

This saves time and effort, and makes you a more efficient and effective researcher.

You may need to go back to a source you skimmed and read it more thoroughly at a later time – this is normal!

Skimming and scanningUseful for deciding if a source is appropriate

0Skimming allows you to evaluate style and content

0Scanning for key words allows you to determine if the source is relevant for your assignment

0Headings, diagrams and contents and index pages are particularly useful for this kind of reading

Deep reading0 Useful for books or articles which substantially

answer or relate to your research question

0Developing understanding of a specific issue

0Can annotate useful sections of the text to re-visit – highlighting, margin notes etc. (not in library books!)

SQ3R

SQ3R model for deep reading0 Survey

Check0 Relevancy, accuracy and bias of the source0 Headings and index to decide where to focus your reading

0 QuestionAsk yourself0 Why am I reading this particular source?0 What do I hope to gain from reading this?

Adapted from Freeman & Meed, 1993, pp.36-37.

SQ3R0 ReadRead through some or all of the source, possibly twice, asking:

0 What is the basic argument the author makes?0 Do you understand what is being said?0 Are the points made supported with evidence?

0 Is this evidence primary research or references to other work?

0 Do you agree with what is said? Have you read other sources which contradict it or offer alternate viewpoints?

0 What might be the consequences of what the author has said?

Adapted from Freeman & Meed, 1993, pp.36-37.

SQ3R0 Recall

Without looking at the text, note down0 Main ideas from the source0 Conclusions the author makes

0Review0 Were your notes accurate?0 Do you need to add anything further for them to be useful

without having to go back to the text later?

Adapted from Freeman & Meed, 1993, pp.36-37.

Selecting Reading Material

0Skim and scan the source you have been given

0Identify how much you can find out about it in a very short amount of time

0Determine the usefulness of the book for your specific needs

0Select a paragraph or two and attempt to read using the SQ3R model

Making notes• How often do you write notes by hand?

• How often do you make them using a computer or electronic device?

• When is it useful to take down information quickly?

Many people either try to write down everything, or write down nothing at all!

Note-taking from reading0What did you note down during the last

exercise?

0In small groups, look at each other’s notes. 0How are they similar?0How do they differ?

Everyone has their preferred way of writing notes – there are no right or wrong answers!

Why Make Notes?Useful Record

Help Memory

Help Exam Revision

Help Writing

Help Understanding

Help Concentration

Useful Record

o Notes provide a record of important points for future use. You can refer to them again and go over them for revision

o Notes provide a record of where the information comes from

o Notes can show other people what you have understood or learnt

Helps understanding

• Writing things down forces you to think them through properly

• Making notes gets you to focus on selecting key information, and on thinking about where everything fits

Helps Memoryo Notes can help you remember something.

You won’t be able to remember everything you read or hear so make notes of the most important items.

o The act of summarising and writing helps your long term memory.

o Pattern notes can be more visually memorable

Helps Concentration

o If you are listening to someone talking making notes can help to keep you active and involved

Helps Writing

o Notes are a good way to get you started on a project or piece of writing

o They can help you order ideas and helps with planning your writing

What do your notes look like?

Everyone makes notes in different ways.

The following slides show examples of some different styles of note-taking and highlight their strengths and potential problems.

Brief notes on a source

Refers to page numbers, which are useful if you have a copy of the book

Poor legibility makes using notes ‘cold’ difficult

Notes of ideas and key words, rather than copying quotes out

Visual layouts and mind-maps

Breaks larger idea down into smaller chunks, making it easier to process

Can show connections between different ideas and how they relate to one another

Pictures can aid quick re-reading of notes, as the human brain processes images quicker than words

How to use mind-mapsFree software is available to create mind maps. It is also on all SNC PCs.

It can be difficult to identify core concepts and branches whilst you are learning about a topic

Notes from multiple sources

Quotes might be direct or indirect (in your own words but based on what you read)

Can group quotes under headings or write into sample paragraphs as you work, saving time later

Important to make sure you have a full reference when quoting from multiple sources!

Annotation and visual prompts

Hand-writing directions ensures they make sense to you; the action of using the pen may also aid memorisation

Drawing directions makes it easier to visualise a journey and check routes at a glance

Adding information to diagrams makes them effective for your purposes

Placing related information on the same page means you are less likely to lose or forget it!

Bullet points0 Writing down each main idea

0 With each smaller part of an idea0 ‘nested’ beneath this sub-heading

0 This gives an organised product to use for revision or writing an assignment0 Most lessons will have been conceived in this way!0 You can quickly turn a bulleted list into a paragraph

0 Bullets can be inflexible0 Connected ideas can be harder to see0 The layout you choose at the time can limit you later

More approaches!Do you use an approach we haven’t discussed and you’d like to share?

Try using several approaches (before it’s vital that you take effective notes!) and see which one suits you the best.

More note-taking methods

Notes from speechWorking in pairs0 Person 1 leaves the room0 Person 2 takes notes on the information from a short video0 Person 1 uses the notes to explain the video’s content0 Swap roles and repeat

0 Were you able to make sense of each others’ notes?0 What problems come with making notes in this way?0 Could you process your notes to make them more useful?

General note-making strategies

o Note keywords and main ideas

o Avoid copying full sentences or ‘chunks’

o Use colour, illustrations, arrows, boxes, headings, numbers to highlight and link

o Don’t make cramped notes. Leave some space to add notes and connections later – margins are ideal!

o Number the pages and cross refer to information already noted

o Use abbreviations and keep a key

General note-making strategies

Notes from Speech

o Can prepare for a lesson by reading on the topic

o Concentrate on understanding first. Listen, and then summarise to key points and information

o Review your notes before you forget any details you may want to add, or clarify

Notes from Bookso Make a note of the title etc. – you will need all the

information to write a reference later

o Skim and Scan the book – looking at chapters, headings for main topics

o Make notes in your own words

o Review your notes before you forget any details you may want to add or clarify

Store and use your notes!

o Filing systemso Organising - by date,

topic, etc.o Index or structure to

organisation

o Store your notes where you can easily access and work with them

Easy to Read Difficult to read

Brief Long, too detailed

Clear – easy to see important points

Unclear

Easy to understand Hard to understand

Relevant to your needs Not relevant to your needs

Organised the way you learn Organised in some other way

Well abbreviated No abbreviations

In your own words Chunks copied from books or lectures

Page numbers, labels, colours

No system

Rate your notes

ReferencesCottrell, S., 2003. The Study Skills Handbook, 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Franklin, R. & Meed, 1993. How to study effectively. London: Collins Educational.

Northedge, A., 1990. The Good Study Guide. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Open University, 2009. Critical Thinking [online]. http://www.open.ac.uk/skillsforstudy/critical-thinking.php , accessed 13/03/12.

Payne, E. & Whittaker, 2006. Developing Essential Study Skills, 2nd ed. Harlow: Pearson.