A grown-up student needs to be able to read a report or even a chapter and understand the material independently, not in the classroom. One of the greatest methods to ensure that this happens effectively is always 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 somewhat useful, but simply highlighting does little to enhance the knowledge of what is being read. Highlighting is a fruitful method of finding a passage later, as is underlining and even making comments in the margin. However, none of they're as effective as taking notes.
The Intent behind Taking Notes While Reading
The reason why 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 existing knowledge of the material. Often, the reading assigned to a grown-up student is more condense and high in information than reading done in grade school. Thus, the reading may be more difficult.
The objective of taking notes while reading is two-fold. On the one hand, the student is wanting to know what will be said, and to include that understanding in a larger picture of the course or goal of the reading. This purpose implies that the student must understand not just the content but in addition the structure of what is being read. By taking notes while reading, this structure can often become clearer, more easily understood. On one other hand, the student does not need to see the material more than is essential; all things considered, the student is working within a period frame that may sometimes put constraints on the total amount of time spent in the reading. Being forced to see the material more times than is essential could be a waste of time. This doesn't signify 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 may be understood faster and more effectively.
How to Take Reading Notes
Unlike the classroom, the student has the opportunity to see the material more than once. This fact implies that the strategy of taking notes may be more deliberate; the student can make an effort needed to create a couple of structured notes, rather than employing a method of note-taking that minimizes time. For this reason, probably the most effective method of taking notes while reading is to utilize an outline. By creating an outline, the structure of the material may be more easily understood.MyReadingManga
The outline must certanly be constructed as a series of layers, rather than trying to get the whole outline finished with one pass. The very first layer must certanly be on the basis of the structure of the reading; if section headers are supplied, these can give a readily available initial structure. Within each section, first thing to ascertain is the objective of the section. Is this section putting forth an argument? Is it explaining a concept? Providing an example? Once the purpose is determined, this should be written under the section heading.
After the section's purpose is determined, the reader then needs to put in the details. I have found that doing this twice and comparing the results creates the utmost effective notes. Browse the section through, creating an outline on the basis of the reading. After the section is completed, the student usually has a much better knowledge of what that area of reading is doing. Then reading the section another time, making a fresh outline can provide a fuller understanding. Whether this second reading is completed just after the very first is entirely up to the student. With particularly difficult sections, having a break involving the readings can provide a fuller perspective on the reading, making a better outline.
Once the outline is established, it must be reviewed for completeness. Is anything in the outline unclear, confusing? In that case, then a student has two options. Either he can reread the material, looking for a clearer understanding, or even a question may be created 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 for example in economics, design principles, or surveys. Technical writing, such as for example mathematics and electronics, need a slightly different approach. The important thing sections for technical material are often not the sections supplied by the reading material however the formulas being presented. Once the formulas are presented, then a outline should provide first a reason of what is in the formula then at least one example; more examples are useful if the material isn't clearly understood the first time.
Practice makes Perfect
If you have any academic activity which improves with practice, it is reading and taking notes. Initially, the student will find the endeavor difficult and fraught with uncertainty. Working together with others, comparing notes and examples, may be of immense help when learning how exactly to take notes on reading material. Whilst the student practices, however, she will notice an amazing improvement. As in many other efforts, persistence in reading and taking notes pays off.
