Study Skills - Note Taking
 
Note Taking Styles
 
Because there are so many different styles for taking notes, it's up to you to choose what works best. Here are some examples of typical note taking styles that a student might use for a lecture on statistics. Notice all these types incorporate "white space" (space without writing) to make them easier to read later. Remember, no matter what your notes look like, the number one trick for retaining information is to REVIEW your notes on a regular basis.


  I. Note Taking Styles (Sample Formal Outline)

      A. Formal Style         

                              1. The formal outline uses Roman Numerals
                                  to help group related information.
                             
                              2. Information moves from general heading
                                  to specific subtopics.   

      B. Informal Style       

                              1. Based on the shape of the Frml. Style

                              2. Doesn’t use Roman Numerals 
         
                              3. May save some time –don’t have to write Rmn. #’s     

     

      C. Paragraph Style    

                              1. Use for:       

                                          a. difficult to follow lectures      
                                          b. discussion style classes         
                                          c. difficult material- no real groups.

                              2. Must reorganize later
 

 
  Note Taking Styles (Sample Informal Outline)        
                 
         Formal Style  
        
                 The formal outline uses Roman Numerals   
                  to help group related information. 
  
                  Information moves from general heading
                  to specific subtopics.      

           Informal Style  

            Based on the shape of the Frml. Style

            Doesn’t use Roman Numerals        

            May save some time –don’t have to write Roman #’s         

   Paragraph Style           
           
            Use for:   
 
                   difficult to follow lectures
   
                   discussion style classes

                   difficult material- no real groups

            Must reorganize later  
 

Note Taking Styles (Sample Paragraph Outline)

Formal Style. The formal outline uses Roman Numerals to help group related information. Information moves from general  headings to specific subtopics.    

Informal Style. Based on the shape of the Frml. Style. Doesn’t use Roman Numerals. May save some time –don’t have to write Rmn. #’s       

Paragraph Style. Use for difficult to follow lectures, discussion style classes, difficult material- no real groups. Must reorganize later.

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