• Home
  • Resources and Tips
    • Digital Resources
    • Physical Resources
    • Hints and Tips
  • Education
  • IT
  • Learning in the future
  • Schools
  • Students
  • Tech in education
What's hot

How to Digitize Historical School Videos

June 3, 2023

Six student loan tips for June 2023

June 3, 2023

Benson Public Schools considering Braves mascot due to new legislation – West Central Tribune

June 3, 2023

The future of entrepreneurship; why starting early is key – The Financial Express

June 3, 2023
Facebook Twitter Instagram
  • Home
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Teaching Resources Pro
  • Home
  • Resources and Tips
    • Digital Resources
    • Physical Resources
    • Hints and Tips
  • Education

    Parent Empowerment Pop-Ups: Partnering with Parents for Perspective

    June 1, 2023

    Florida School Library moves Amanda Gorman’s inauguration poem after complaint

    May 30, 2023

    Can you guess these 10 words from the Scripps Spelling Bee?

    May 28, 2023

    Essay on “Every Brain Needs Music” and “Hi Ren”

    May 26, 2023

    Tips for reducing costs when implementing customer training software

    May 22, 2023
  • IT

    Discover the process flow of diversity in cyber

    June 3, 2023

    Bringing observability to the modern data stack

    June 1, 2023

    How do you find the user pain points that help the mobile app succeed?

    May 30, 2023

    How to Join a Node to a Docker Swarm

    May 28, 2023

    Five key steps when there is a risk of a fraud investigation

    May 26, 2023
  • Learning in the future

    The future of entrepreneurship; why starting early is key – The Financial Express

    June 3, 2023

    Early childhood: how to bring more nature to kindergarten – The Hechinger report

    June 1, 2023

    Q&A with Learning Analytics Graduate Anjali Ann Yadav – UW-Madison

    May 30, 2023

    Assad’s normalization leaves Syrians in Rukban’s camp fearful of the future – Al Jazeera

    May 28, 2023

    Montgomery middle schoolers ‘invent the future’ in unique STEM… – The Washington Post

    May 26, 2023
  • Schools

    Benson Public Schools considering Braves mascot due to new legislation – West Central Tribune

    June 3, 2023

    Texas Legislature’s Response to Uvalde: Armed Campus Security – Reuters

    June 1, 2023

    Hawkins County Schools Receive Propane School Bus Grant – Reuters

    May 30, 2023

    Ohio teacher shortage: As schools review vacancies, teachers fill gaps – cleveland.com

    May 28, 2023

    Reed City Public School students receive surprise gift ahead of summer break – Reuters

    May 26, 2023
  • Students

    Six student loan tips for June 2023

    June 3, 2023

    How to get a summer job as a student

    June 1, 2023

    College Move-in Day Tips – What NOT to do

    May 30, 2023

    Taking care of yourself during and after exam season – Student Blog

    May 28, 2023

    Fulfill my mission to attend conferences – SJSU

    May 26, 2023
  • Tech in education

    How to Digitize Historical School Videos

    June 3, 2023

    BookNook Names Education Veteran Jared Harless Chief Product Officer

    June 1, 2023

    What is Pocketalk? The translation tool explained

    May 28, 2023

    Improving English learning with technology in the classroom

    May 26, 2023

    Ten Ways to Use Adobe Express at School

    May 24, 2023
Teaching Resources Pro
Home»Students»How to Take Notes From a Textbook: 11 Note-Taking Tips
Students

How to Take Notes From a Textbook: 11 Note-Taking Tips

September 29, 2022No Comments7 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
how to take notes on a textbook

By Katie Azevedo, M.Ed.

Before learning how to take notes from a textbook, you need to make two key decisions. Where will you take your notes and what note-taking format will you choose? I explain both decisions below.

Where to take your textbook notes

Where will you take your notes? You have three options:

  1. Paper (notebook)
  2. Digital notes in Google Docs or Word
  3. Digital notes that you write by hand with a stylus or Apple Pencil

There are advantages and disadvantages to each type of rating system. I argue that paper notes (option 1) and handwritten digital notes (option 3) are far superior to typed notes. Yes, typed notes are faster. But if the goal is to understand and learn information, writing is better than typing.

Choose the right note-taking format

There are different formats for taking notes from a textbook. The most common methods are:

  1. Two-column notes
  2. Notes from Cornell
  3. The outline method

Two-column notes: Divide your page into two columns (⅓ and ⅔). Key concepts and ideas go on the left and details on the right.

Cornell notes: Similar to two-column notes, but you write a summary at the bottom of each page. More details here.

The plan method: Write key concepts on their own line, then add bullet point details below each main idea.

Three common note-taking formats for taking notes from a textbook

Which is the best ? Option 1 (two-column grades) and Option 3 (the outline method) generally work best for most students. When teaching my students how to take notes from a textbook, I start with one of these methods because they both allow for self-expression. and they are simpler. Cornell’s ratings are stricter and take longer: it’s a tough sell.

How to take notes from a textbook – 11 strategies

The following note-taking strategies will help you take notes from a textbook quickly(ish) and in a way that will come in handy when you need the notes later, especially for open-book tests. You’re also going to want these Organization advice in 7 notes to complement your note-taking skills.

1. Preview the manual chapter.

Before you begin your notes, flip through the chapter you are about to read. Get an idea of ​​its duration, configuration and what it is about. You are just scanning at this point, not reading.

2. Date and title your notes.

Always start with a new page. Put the date at the top, along with the name of the chapter you’re taking notes on.

3. Take notes as you read.

Read small chunks of text at a time and take notes as you read. According to the manual, it could be the second paragraph. Do not read more than two paragraphs without writing something in your notebook.

What to actually write in your notes:

1. After reading the short text extract, try to summarize the content in your own words. Avoid looking at the manual when doing this, or you’ll end up using the author’s words. Write this brief bullet point summary in your notes. You may need to split the summary into multiple bullet points.

2. Then go back to the paragraph and remove all key terms. These are usually bold, but not always. Include these words as bullet points. See note-taking tip #6.

4. Include enough white space around your notes.

White space is empty space with no text or image. White space makes your notes crisper and easier to read. We create white space by skipping lines and avoiding grouping notes. Create white space by skipping at least one line when the subject changes

5. Organize your notes according to headings and subheadings.

Textbooks organize information under headings and subheadings. Match the titles and subtitles of your notebook to these. If you are taking notes in two columns, you can place the title or subtitle on the left. If you take detailed notes, the headings will go on their own line with the key points below.

When the textbook title changes, create a new section in your notes. Use an extract feature around titles to make them stand out. I describe extract functions in note-taking tip #7.

6. Take notes on any terms in bold.

Terms in bold are important. You should write these words down in your notes. If it is a vocabulary word, include the definition. If it is a significant event, such as the Geneva Convention, include a description. Use your own language to define these terms.

Tips for taking notes on key terms:

  • Always include key terms under the headings or subheadings they belong to.
  • Use an extract function to underline key terms. The extract function must be different from your heading extract functions.
  • Game Changer: As a supplement to your basic textbook notes, create a running glossary of terms on a separate page. Add any terms in bold to this list as you read. This means that you would have key terms in two places: as a bullet under the appropriate title, and also in your glossary.

7. Use bullet points.

Whatever note-taking format you use, use bullet points to organize supporting details. One detail per chip. No paragraphs. Avoid complex sentences. (See note-taking tip #11.)

8. Use extraction functions.

Extraction features include underlines, highlights, circles, bold or italic text, colored fonts, wavy underlines, and boxes. These subtle formatting details draw attention to different sections of your notes. When taking notes from a textbook, you only need 2-3 extract functions. It is optional to use more. You should have a different extract function for each of the following:

  • Main headings
  • Subtitles
  • Key words
how to take notes from a textbook use extract functions
How to take notes from a textbook: use the extract functions to highlight headings and key terms.

9. Use arrows to indicate cause and effect.

Textbook content often includes elements of cause and effect. In other words, you’ll probably read about one thing (poor living and financial conditions) leading to another thing (the French Revolution). This type of content is best represented by simple arrows. Picture below.

Enhance your textbook notes by including simple cause and effect diagrams with arrows.

10. Draw key diagrams or take a photo if you are taking digital notes.

Your notes should include key diagrams and tables from the manual. If it’s easy enough to draw, do it. If you take digital notes, take a picture of the chart and insert it into your document.

11. Avoid full sentences.

Taking notes from a textbook becomes almost impossible if you write complete sentences. Use fragments, abbreviations, and symbols to be a more effective note taker. Make a legend (legend) if you are afraid to forget the meaning of your abbreviations.

How to take notes from a textbook – 5 BONUS TIPS

  1. Choose a location for your notes and stick to it. In other words, go all-paper or all-digital notebook for each course. You can use digital grades in English and paper grades in math, but be consistent across each subject.
  2. If your handwriting is confusing, use these 6 tips to improve your writing.
  3. Don’t be afraid to rewrite your notes if they’re messy or you want to edit them. The best students rewrite their notes. Here’s what else top students do, but don’t talk about it.
  4. Seek inspiration if you need it. Instagram and Pinterest are full of photos of student notebooks that are essentially art. You don’t need to meet these standards, but the images might inspire you.
  5. Use the right notebook with the right paper. Inexpensive notebooks with thin paper will make your textbook notes messy and boring. Invest in your materials.

The post office How to Take Notes From a Textbook: 11 Note-Taking Tips appeared first on School Habits.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

Six student loan tips for June 2023

June 3, 2023

How to get a summer job as a student

June 1, 2023

College Move-in Day Tips – What NOT to do

May 30, 2023
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Latest

How to Digitize Historical School Videos

June 3, 2023

Six student loan tips for June 2023

June 3, 2023

Benson Public Schools considering Braves mascot due to new legislation – West Central Tribune

June 3, 2023

The future of entrepreneurship; why starting early is key – The Financial Express

June 3, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from teachingresourcespro.

We are social
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't miss

How to Digitize Historical School Videos

June 3, 2023

Six student loan tips for June 2023

June 3, 2023

Benson Public Schools considering Braves mascot due to new legislation – West Central Tribune

June 3, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from teachingresourcespros.

  • Home
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
© 2023 Designed by teachingresourcespro .

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.