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Note-taking Strategies

Aim: To provide you with practice of a range of note-taking methods (or strategies) to use when listening to lectures. 

Time: 90 minutes+

Task 1

How do you usually take notes when listening? Write some notes. 

  1. Do you have different note-taking styles for different purposes?
  2. What issues do you have when taking notes?
  3. What feedback have you been given on your note taking?
  4. How is note taking assessed on the course you’re currently on?

Task 2

Label the note-taking methods with a word from the box:

Spider gram.  Linear.  Cornell. Tree.  Flowchart. Table. Timeline.
Note-taking methods 1 Answers

Task 3

What method of notes would you take for the following lectures?

Copy this table into your notebook or download the worksheet below.

NoLectureMethod
1How photosynthesis works.e.g., process / flow chart
2Comparison of two mobile phone companies.
3Strategies for whole-food plant-based living.
4History of English.
5Financial accounting: legal requirements.
6The causes and effects of climate change.
NoLectureMethod
1How photosynthesis works.e.g., process / flow chart
2Comparison of two mobile phone companies.Table or tree
3Strategies for whole-food plant-based living.Spider gram
4History of English.Timeline
5Financial accounting: legal requirements.Cornell or linear
6The causes and effects of climate change.Tree or linear

Task 4

Listen to the five introductory lecture sentences: identify the main topic and decide which method (from task 2) you would use to take notes.

Copy this table into your notebook or download the worksheet below.

NoTopic Method
1
2
3
4
5
6
NoTopic Suggested Methods
1BrE Versus AmETable
2Social NetworksTimeline
3Types of yogaSpider gram
4International StudentsTree
5Selling second hand clothes onlineFlow chart

Number 1

Hello, this talk is about the differences between British and American English.

Number 2

Good morning. I’m here today to talk to you about when today’s most popular social networks were launched.

Number 3

Hello, I’m here today to discuss the different types of yoga for exercise.

Number 4

Good morning. The theme of today’s lecture is about the number of international students in the UK.

Number 5

Welcome to today’s presentation on how to sell second-hand clothes online.

Digital Documents

Complete Lesson 1 Booklet