The Six Steps of Note-Taking

1. RECORD - Record as many facts and ideas as you can int he 6 inch column.
2. REDUCE OR QUESTION - After reading through your notes the next step is to reduce each fact and idea to key words or phrases, or to formulate questions based on each fact and idea which can cue you to answer the information in your notes.
3. RECITE - Recitation is different from rereading in that you state aloud and in your words the facts and ideas you are trying to learn. Hearing your own thoughts helps you to remember them later. When reciting cover up your notes on the right and just look at the keywords. Answer any questions. Then check to make sure your answers were correct. If your answers were wrong, correct it aloud before you go on.
4. REFLECT - This is pondering or thinking about the information you have learned. Reflecting is a step beyond learning note content. It is a way to reinforce deep learning by relating facts and ideas to other learned knowledge. This is where you ask yourself - How can I apply this information?
5. REVIEW - The way to prevent forgetting is to review and recite your notes frequently. Notes should be reviewed nightly or at the very least several times a week BY RECITING NOT REVIEWING.
   

   First Review: Reading to identify and learn main points. Make incomplete sentence complete, add additional thoughts. Identify central ideas of the lecture. Second Review: Summarizing - recite the important main ideas of the lecture by summarizing in your own words. The summary can be verbal or written or both. Third Review: Question and Answer - ask specific questions about the lecture. The questions and the answers to the questions should be written down to be easily accessible for review. Types of Questions* How does this relate to me? What is my opinion about this? How does this compare or relate to what I learned last week? How might this compare to future ideas that I might anticipate? How can I relate this to my other classes? What is the main idea? What are the supporting ideas? Why is knowing this important? How can this be used in everyday living? What are some practical examples of how to apply this? What is a practical application that is different from the context in which I learned this? * Be selective in the question you choose to use, as you do not have adequate time to use them all.

6. RECAPITULATE - This goes at the bottom of the note page in the 2-inch space. After you have done all of the above, summarize the facts and ideas in your notes to help you to integrate the information. This should be done in your own words - not just recopying your original notes.