A grown-up student must be able to read a report or a chapter and understand the material on their own, not in the classroom. One of the greatest methods to make sure that this happens effectively is to take notes while reading, writing down the ideas and thoughts inspired by what is being read.
Most students are taught to highlight while reading. This is often somewhat useful, but merely highlighting does little to enhance the knowledge of what is being read. Highlighting is an effective way of finding a verse later, as is underlining and even making comments in the margin. However, none of these are as effective as taking notes.
The Intent behind Taking Notes While Reading
The main reason the student is reading something is, usually, to achieve an knowledge of something that has been previously not understood, or at the very least to enhance the present knowledge of the material. Often, the reading assigned to an adult student is more condense and packed with information than reading done in grade school. Thus, the reading can be more difficult.
The purpose of taking notes while reading is two-fold. On the main one hand, the student is attempting to understand what has been said, and to add that understanding in a bigger picture of the course or goal of the reading. This purpose implies that the student must understand not only the information but also the structure of what is being read. By taking notes while reading, this structure can often become clearer, more easily understood. On the other hand, the student does not want to read the material more than is important; after all, the student is working within a time frame that can sometimes put constraints on the quantity of time spent in the reading. Having to read the material more times than is important can be a waste of time. This doesn't show that the student will read the material only one time; in many cases, multiple readings are needed. But readings shouldn't be wasted. By taking notes, the material can be understood faster and more effectively.
How to Take Reading Notes
Unlike the classroom, the student has the opportunity to read the material more than once. This fact implies that the method of taking notes can be more deliberate; the student can take the time needed to generate some structured notes, as opposed to utilizing a way of note-taking that minimizes time. For this reason, probably the best way of taking notes while reading is to utilize an outline. By creating an outline, the structure of the material can be more easily understood.MyReadingManga
The outline should really be constructed as a routine of layers, as opposed to hoping to get the entire outline finished with one pass. The very first layer should really be based on the structure of the reading; if section headers are provided, these may give a readily available initial structure. Within each section, the very first thing to determine is the goal of the section. Is this section putting forth an argument? Could it be explaining an idea? Providing an illustration? Once the purpose is determined, this should be written beneath the section heading.
Following the section's purpose is determined, the reader then needs to include the details. I have found that achieving this twice and comparing the results creates the very best notes. Browse the section through, creating an outline based on the reading. Following the section is done, the student normally has a much better knowledge of what that element of reading is doing. Then reading the section another time, developing a fresh outline can provide a fuller understanding. Whether this second reading is done right after the very first is entirely as much as the student. With particularly difficult sections, having a break involving the readings can provide a fuller perspective on the reading, developing a better outline.
Once the outline is established, it should be reviewed for completeness. Is anything in the outline unclear, confusing? If that's the case, then a student has two options. Either they can reread the material, buying clearer understanding, or a question can be made for the following class, looking a clearer understanding from the instructor.
Reading Technical Material
This technique is most effective in material where claims are made and supported, such as in economics, design principles, or surveys. Technical writing, such as mathematics and electronics, need a slightly different approach. The main element sections for technical material tend to be not the sections supplied by the reading material but the formulas being presented. Once the formulas are presented, then a outline should provide first an explanation of what is in the formula then one or more example; more examples are useful if the material isn't clearly understood the very first time.
Practice makes Perfect
If there is any academic activity which improves with practice, it is reading and taking notes. Initially, the student may find the endeavor difficult and fraught with uncertainty. Working with others, comparing notes and examples, can be of immense help when learning how to take notes on reading material. Since the student practices, however, she'll notice a remarkable improvement. As in many other efforts, persistence in reading and taking notes pays off.
