Effective Listening And Note Taking
1. General Suggestions for Classroom Behavior
- Sit near the front of the classroom. This helps to create a good
impression, eliminate distractions, etc.
- If you are bored during class (occasionally), review previous
class notes. At least you'll be doing something which is helpful and
positive.
- Copy down everything on the board. A single word may be a clue to
a test item or be useful to you later.
2. Signal Words
Your instructor is not going to send up a rocket when she states an
important new idea or gives an example, but she will use signals to
telegraph what she is doing. Every good speaker does it, and you should
expect to receive these signals. For example, she may introduce an
example with "for example" as done here.
Other common signals are:
- "There are three reasons why...." (HERE THEY COME!)
- "First...Second... Third...." (THERE THEY ARE!)
- "And most important,...." (A MAIN IDEA!)
- "A major development...." (A MAIN IDEA AGAIN!)
She may signal support material with:
- "On the other hand...."
- "On the contrary...."
- "For example...."
- "Similarly...."
- "In contrast...."
- "Also...."
- "Further...."
- "Furthermore...."
- "As an example...."
- "For instance...."
He may signal conclusion or summary with:
- "Therefore...."
- "In conclusion...."
- "As a result...."
- "Finally...."
- "In summary...."
- "From this we see...."
She may signal very loud with:
- "Now this is important...."
- "Remember that...."
- "The important idea is that...."
- "The basic concept here is...."
Signals are usually ignored by those of us who do not know how to
listen effectively. Expect signals and be alert when you receive them.
3. Note taking Suggestions
- Have your lecture paper and pencil or pen ready.
- Write down the title of the lecture, the name of the course and
the date.
- Watch the speaker carefully.
- Listen carefully to the introduction (if there is one). Hear the
lecture. By knowing his outline, you will be better prepared to
anticipate what notes you will need to take.
- Be brief in your note taking. Summarize your notes in your own
words, not the instructor's. Remember: your goal is to understand
what she is saying, not to try to record exactly everything she
says.
- Try to recognize main ideas by signal words that indicate
something important is to follow. Examples: "First, Second,
Next, Then, Thus, Another important...," etc.
- Jot down details or examples that support the mainideas. Give
special attention to details not covered in the textbook.
- If there is a summary at the end of the lecture, pay close
attention to it. You can use it to check the organization of your
notes. If your notes seem disorganized, copy down the main points
covered in the summary. It will help in revising your notes later.
- At the end of the lecture, ask questions about points you did not
understand.
- Don't be in a rush. Be attentive, listen and take notes right up
to the point at which the instructor dismisses you. If you are
gathering together your personal belongings when you should be
listening, you're bound to miss an important point--perhaps an
announcement about the next exam!
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