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Reading and
Taking Notes

Reading and Taking Notes

Reading and Taking Notes

Reading

Note
taking

Reading and Taking Notes

Reading and note taking are key

skills you are expected to learn
during your University degree.
This presentation will show you how
to read efficiently for different
purposes and how to write effective
notes.

What to expect at University

Students can arrive at University
unprepared for the pace of
teaching.
Lecturers move through
material quickly
The student-to-teacher
ratio is large, meaning less
individual attention.
Students need to be proactive,
self-directed and self-teaching.

Reading and Taking Notes

Be a scientist
Visual
Read

Aural

/ write

Kinaesthetic
Experiment with different learning
techniques to see which ones work
best for you.
Discover your learning preferences
with the online VARK questionnaire
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

Reading and Taking Notes

Learning how to learn

Interactive

Solitary

Every individual learns differently

There is no right or wrong way to
study as long as you are able to
learn the material.
However, there are reading and
note-taking techniques that will give
you the edge.

Reading and Taking Notes

Reading

Taking
Notes

Reading and Taking Notes

Reading

Taking
Notes

Reading and Taking Notes

Reading

Reading

Detailed Reading
Taking
Notes

Relaxed reading

Scanning

Skimming

Reading and Taking Notes

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you

must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.

Reading

Relaxed Reading
Taking
Notes

Relaxed reading is what you do

when you
Look through a magazine
Browse the internet
Read a comic
Read a novel at the beach
Relaxed reading does not require
memorization or concentration

Reading and Taking Notes

Reading

Relaxed Reading
Taking
Notes

Relaxed reading is a good way to

enjoy additional or optional readings in
your courses.
That is, readings that are NOT
to be examined or needed for
assessment.
If you find something in your additional
readings that could be useful, then you
can switch your reading style to
detailed reading. The techniques on
the next few slides will help you with
your detailed reading.

Reading and Taking Notes

10

Reading

Skimming
Taking
Notes

Skimming is used to quickly get an

outline of content.
Skimming establishes the boundaries of
what you need to know and what is most
important.
Skim a book by reading the table of
contents, introductions and conclusions
of sections.

Reading and Taking Notes

11

Skim a journal article or book chapter by running your

eyes over the headings, sub-headings, pictures,
graphics, captions and words in italics or bold.

Reading

Taking
Notes

Methods of Analysis
Two main methods of analysis are inductive
and deductive. They are quite different in the
way they work but they are both important in
ongoing research.

Fig 12: Differences in concentration

Deductive analysis
Deductive analysis tends to go from the
general to the specific. It may start with a
theory or model and then this is applied to
experimental situations hypothesising about
the expected results

Reading and Taking Notes

Inductive Analysis
Inductive analysis starts with specific observations
and from these a theory or model is developed.
Observations are analysed looking for patterns or
regularities. From this the theory is developed and
then hypotheses for prediction of behaviour in the
future.

12

Scanning

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you

must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.

Reading

Taking
Notes

Scanning is useful when reading for a

particular phrase or topic.

Run your eyes back and forth quickly

across the page. Your eyes pick up the
words or ideas you are looking for.
Scan readings before writing detailed
notes.

Reading and Taking Notes

13

Scanning

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you

must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.

Reading

Taking
Notes

Scan when:
Looking for particular key
words when searching the
databases
Finding a particular quote in
an article you have already
read
Looking in your textbook for
the answer to a tutorial
question

Reading and Taking Notes

14

Scanning

Activity: How many times

does the word phonetics
appear in this paragraph?

Reading and Taking Notes

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you

must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.

Reading

Taking
Notes

Phonology can be defined as that subdiscipline within linguistics which is

concerned with the sound of language. It
differs from phonetics in that it focuses on
the linguistic aspects of the sound of
language such as syntax morphology and
semantics while phonetics moves more
towards aspects of acoustics,
neurophysiology and perceptual psychology.
It is possible to see many overlaps in
research when some subfields could readily
be referred to as linguistic phonetics or
experimental phonology.

15

Scanning

Activity: The word phonetics

appears 3 times.

Reading and Taking Notes

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you

must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from
other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before
you write your list of references/bibliography check with your
lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your
Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it
consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details
of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This
will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list
of references.

Reading

Taking
Notes

Phonology can be defined as that subdiscipline within linguistics which is

concerned with the sound of language. It
differs from phonetics in that it focuses on
the linguistic aspects of the sound of
language such as syntax morphology and
semantics while phonetics moves more
towards aspects of acoustics,
neurophysiology and perceptual psychology.
It is possible to see many overlaps in
research when some subfields could readily
be referred to as linguistic phonetics or
experimental phonology.

16

Reading

Detailed Reading
Taking
Notes

Detailed reading is a close analysis of a text and is how

you should complete all the mandatory readings in your
course.

U
Reading and Taking Notes

Highlight
Re-write
Underline
Map

17

Reading

SQ3R Reading Strategy

Taking
Notes

SQ3R is a technique
Survey
Skim or scan a text to determine the structure

Question
Write down questions to focus what you are looking for
Write down thoughts, criticisms and reflections about the content

Read
Read section by section using all the graphic aids in the text. Relate material to
other ideas in the course or your own interpretation of the content.

Recall
Try answering your own questions in your own words. This tests how well you can
remember what you have read.

Review
Regular reviews increase retention and understanding

Reading and Taking Notes

18

Detailed Reading
Weekly Readings

Reading

Taking
Notes

How long will it take to read and take notes on all

my assigned readings?
Approximately 10 minutes per page.
However, each student is different and each
subject is different, so...

Time yourself reading

Use the time it takes to read and take notes of 1
page to estimate how long you need to study per
week.

Reading and Taking Notes

19

Reading

How to Study Weekly

Readings

Taking
Notes

Time

Read

Write

Think

30min

Skim

Overview

Connect ideas covered in

lecture and tutorial.

10min

BREAK

45min

Detail

Highlight
Notes

How does the reading

develop ideas?

10min

BREAK

45min

Detail

Highlight
Notes

How does the reading

develop ideas?

10min

BREAK

30min

Review

Summarize
Mnemonics
Write to-do list

What needs to be
remembered?

Reading and Taking Notes

20

Reading

Taking
Notes

Reading and Taking Notes

21

Taking Notes
Lectures

Assignments
Exams

Reading and Taking Notes

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Reading

Lectures
Taking
Notes

Before lectures

Download PowerPoint presentations ahead of time

(if possible).
Skim slides and relevant readings before the lecture.
Write down questions to ask your tutor or lecturer.

In lectures
Focus on content that will be assessed
Use abbreviations
Use diagrams, different coloured pens,
arrows, etc... to quickly convey ideas

Reading and Taking Notes

After lectures
Read readings in detail
Review and re-write lecture notes in
your own words
Ask questions in tutorials

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Reading

Assignments
Taking
Notes

Always record the source with the

content of ideas.
Group notes by source or topic
Source 1: James and Black (1999)
Poverty causes social isolation which has implications for
childrens emotional wellbeing (p.45)
Poverty can lead to attention seeking behaviour to gain
recognition by peers (p.16)
Economic status not necessarily an indicator of academic
ability or commitment (p.55)

Source 2: Smith (2004)

Family poverty impedes childrens ability to interact in the
playground (p.75)

Source 3: Watson (2000)

Poverty is socially isolating for children (p.32)
Poverty is more prevalent in single parent and indigenous
families (p.14)

Reading and Taking Notes

Main idea

Sources

Idea 1:
Social
Isolation

Watson (2000, p. 32)

Peters (2001, p. 54)

James and Black

(1999, p. 45)

Idea 2:
Behaviour

Smith (2004, p. 75)

James and Black

(1999, p. 16)

Harvey (2008, p. 9597)

Peters (2001, p. 35)

Idea 3:
Commitment

James and Black

(1999, p. 55)

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Reading

Exams
Taking
Notes

By the exam study period you

should have100-200 pages of
notes per subject.
Approx. 10 pages per
week
Reduce your notes to smaller
chunks of information 2-3
times before the day of the
exam to maximize memory

Reading and Taking Notes

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Reading

Exams
Taking
Notes

Writing good notes is

one of the best ways to
retain information.

Make mnemonics
(sentences or words to
help you remember )

Write flash cards

Draw diagrams

Reading and Taking Notes

26

Image references (in order of appearance)

PAGES 1-15
Bram Cymet, 'Zoom', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcymet/3716590450/, ed, 2009, A photograph of a road taken with long
exposure and zoom.
In: QutPhoto2634.jpg, ed, 2004, Three QUT students in labcoats work together.
dplastino, 'WU MING - Mind Map', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marea/4035666628/, ed, 2009, A multi-coloured concept map.
'2students', In: http://www.rcc.edu/students/images/2students.jpg, ed, girl and boy sitting on stairs talking with book on lap.
'student', In: http://www.sastt.ca/images/student.gif, ed, illustration of a stack of books.
Kevin Paul Jones, 'Day 136: Procrastination', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53537358@N00/2282744795/, ed, 2008, A Playstation
II controller.
herval, 'Wishful Thinking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herval/26406106/, ed, 2005, Cartoon of girl looking up.
Kaitlyn, 'Day 178 - 7-26-09', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaitastrophic/3760236898/, ed, 2009, A student reads a book lying in bed.
MC Quinn, 'Study', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcquinn/2302027163/, ed, 2008, two girls sit in library studying.
dmscvan, 'Thesis Table of Contents - 2006', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/svandermark/184667699/, ed, 2006, Table of contents.
Light Rail Now, In: http://www.lightrailnow.org/images02/transit-graph-safety-per-pm-avg-2002-04_lrn.gif, ed, A graph of transit safety.
Nicco Mele, 'Multi-tasking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicco/3177526738/, ed, 2009.
'college-student', In: http://firstnyfcu.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/college-student.jpg, ed, student cross-legged with book in park.
Tama Leaver, 'Coloured Contacts', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaleaver/66740030/, ed, 2005, A green coloured eye.
Mark Pilkington, 'Bee perception experiment', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/strangeattractor/154183797/, ed, 2006, A set of
coloured circles for an experiment on bee perception.

Reading and Taking Notes

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Image references (in order of appearance)

PAGES 17-27
Karin Dalziel, 'Can't erase the highlighting in Zotero', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/772741433/, ed, 2007, Screen capture of
highlighted text.
dplastino, 'WU MING - Mind Map', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marea/4035666628/, ed, 2009, A multi-coloured concept map.
Nick Aldwin, 'Tools of Evil', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninja999/2191121767/, ed, 2008, pencil, eraser, page of maths workings.
Tama Leaver, 'Coloured Contacts', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaleaver/66740030/, ed, 2005, A green coloured eye.
Leo Reynolds, 'question mark ?' In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/12364944/, ed, 2005, A photograph of a question mark with black
border.
Mark Wainwright, 'Revision', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-a-r-k/504416145/, ed, 2007, A close-up photo of a text book.
herval, 'Wishful Thinking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herval/26406106/, ed, 2005, Cartoon of girl looking up.
QUT, 'Reviewing', In: reviewing.jpg, ed, 2009, A graph showing percentage remembered over time with or without review.
Kevin Collins, 'Stopped Watch', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevincollins/38513145/, ed, 2005, A stop watch.
Alan Morton-Smith, 'Lecture theatre audience', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosmi/3709805804/, ed, 2009.
Michael, 'Hypergeometric', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pictoral/2377836517/, ed, 2008, Student studying his notes.
ccarlstead, 'Eraser', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cristic/2579854471/, ed, 2008, student in exam.
QUT, 'Studying for Exams', In: studying_for_exams.jpg, ed, 2009, Diagram of how to study for exams.
J.G. Davis, 'Life cycle of the alfalfa weevil', In: http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5365593, ed, 2008, A
diagram of the life cycle of the alfalfa weevil.
Steve Keys, 'ThinkMac's iKanji 1.0', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36645776@N00/2711191611/, ed, 2008, screen capture of
Japanese kanji flash card program.
Lee Pilich, 'Music cross-rhythm, what atrocious weather.PNG', In: _what_atrocious_weather.PNG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Music_cross-rhythm, ed, 2003, mnemonic diagram to help music student remember

Reading and Taking Notes

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