Although the process of highlighting is not ‘note-taking’, it is often an important first step. Highlighting and EmphasisingĪ quick and easy way to be active when reading is to highlight and/or underline parts of the text. This section is designed to help you get started. Your note-taking skills will develop with practice and as you realise the benefits. You simply have to find out what works best for you. There is no magic formula to taking notes when reading. If you do this, then you are unlikely to learn or reflect on what you have read, as copying is not engaging with the text. It can be tempting, especially if your reading material is online, to copy and paste straight into a document. It is important to understand that effective note-taking requires you to write notes on what you have read in your own words.Ĭopying what others have said is not note-taking and is only appropriate when you want to directly quote an author. The process of note-taking will, therefore, help you retain, analyse and ultimately remember and learn what you have read. This seems likely to apply whether you are using a computer or a pen and paper.īy writing notes, in your own words, you will be forced to think about the ideas that are presented in the text and how you can explain them coherently. Paraphrasing and summarising what you read in your own words is far more effective in helping you to retain information. It was suggested that this was because those writing by hand tended to summarise the points more, whereas those with computers tended to type verbatim and therefore engage less with the content. Research shows that students who took notes by hand, using pen and paper, tended to retain significantly more information than those who used computers. However, how much you take in seems to depend on how you take notes. One of the most effective ways of actively engaging with your reading is to make notes as you go along. In other words, you engage with your reading to maximise your learning. When you are studying, reading should be seen as an ‘active’ exercise.
Reading for pleasure or as a way to relax, such as reading a novel, newspaper or magazine, is usually a ‘passive’ exercise.
Note taking software definition how to#
See our pages: Effective Reading and Critical Reading for explanation, advice and comment on how to get the most from, and develop your, reading. It is therefore useful for classes, lectures, and meetings. Our page, Effective Note-Taking covers how to take notes when you are listening to the information, rather than reading it.
Note taking software definition series#
We have a series of other related pages that you may find helpful.
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