Study Skills - Note Taking

 
Listening For Main Ideas

Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to write down during a lecture. Here are a few tips that can help you listen for main ideas.

Write it down when the professor…

• Says it’s important

• Writes information on the board or overhead

• Repeats what was just said (they want to make sure you get it!)

• Breaks down material into steps (any information that is important enough to thoroughly explain is important enough to write down!)

• Gives contrasts or pros and cons (this is a way of further explaining material that is important, plus, pros and cons are often on tests.)

• Changes the tone or volume of their voice (this often indicates excitement, and information that a professor is excited about often ends up on tests.)

Another indicator that a professor is saying something you might want to write down is if they use signal words and phrases. Some signal words and phrases are:

Introductory words—give a basic outline of what the day’s lecture will cover.

"Today we will discuss…"

"During today’s lecture…"

"After today you should be able to…"

Qualifying words—note exceptions to rules and clarify information.

"however…"

"nevertheless…"

"still…"

Cause and Effect words—show relationships between ideas and events.

"therefore…"

"as a result…"

"if…then…"

Contrast words—also show relationships between ideas and events.

"on the other hand…"

"in contrast…"

"by comparison…"

Repeat words—rephrases and clarifies information.

"in other words…"

"this simply means…"

"in essence…"

Test clues—alert you to possible test material.

"this is important…"

"remember this…"

"you’ll see this again…"

Summary words

"in a nutshell…"

"to sum up…"

"in conclusion…"

Example words—explains and clarifies information.

"to illustrate…"

"for example…"

"for instance…"

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