An adult student must be able to read a paper or perhaps a chapter and understand the material by themselves, outside the classroom. One of the finest ways to ensure that this happens effectively is to take notes while reading, writing down the ideas and thoughts inspired by what's being read.
Most students are taught to highlight while reading. This is somewhat useful, but merely highlighting does little to improve the knowledge of what's being read. Highlighting is a highly effective 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 the student is reading something is, usually, to achieve an knowledge of something which was previously not understood, or at least to improve the present knowledge of the material. Often, the reading assigned to a grown-up student is more condense and full of information than reading done in grade school. Thus, the reading can be more difficult.
The objective of taking notes while reading is two-fold. On the one hand, the student is attempting to understand what is being said, and to incorporate that understanding in a bigger picture of the course or goal of the reading. This purpose implies that the student must understand not merely the information but also the structure of what's being read. By taking notes while reading, this structure can often become clearer, easier understood. On one other hand, the student does not want to learn the material significantly more than is essential; after all, the student is working within a time frame that may sometimes put constraints on the total amount of time spent in the reading. Being forced to learn the material more times than is essential could be a waste of time. This doesn't show that the student will browse the material only once; in many cases, multiple readings are needed. But readings should not be wasted. By taking notes, the material can be understood faster and more effectively.
Just how to Take Reading Notes
Unlike the classroom, the student has the ability to learn the material significantly more than once. This fact implies that the strategy of taking notes can be more deliberate; the student can make an effort needed to create some 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 by using an outline. By creating an outline, the structure of the material can be easier understood.MyReadingManga
The outline must certanly be constructed as a routine of layers, rather than hoping to get the entire outline completed with one pass. The first layer must certanly be on the basis of the structure of the reading; if section headers are offered, these may give a easily obtainable initial structure. Within each section, first thing to ascertain is the objective of the section. Is this section putting forth a disagreement? Is it explaining a concept? Providing an example? Once the reason is decided, this would be written under the section heading.
After the section's purpose is decided, the reader then needs to set up the details. I have found that doing this twice and comparing the outcomes creates the very best notes. Browse the section through, creating an outline on the basis of the reading. After the section is done, the student normally has a much better knowledge of what that portion of reading is doing. Then reading the section a second time, making a fresh outline provides a fuller understanding. Whether this second reading is done right after the foremost is entirely as much as the student. With particularly difficult sections, taking a break involving the readings provides a fuller perspective on the reading, making a better outline.
After the outline is done, it ought to be reviewed for completeness. Is anything in the outline unclear, confusing? In that case, then the student has two options. Either he is able to reread the material, looking for a clearer understanding, or perhaps a question can be made for another class, looking a clearer understanding from the instructor.
Reading Technical Material
This technique is most effective in material where claims are manufactured and supported, such as in economics, design principles, or surveys. Technical writing, such as mathematics and electronics, require a slightly different approach. The main element sections for technical material tend to be not the sections provided by the reading material however the formulas being presented. After the formulas are presented, then the outline should provide first a conclusion of what's in the formula then at least one example; more examples are useful if the material isn't clearly understood the initial 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 with others, comparing notes and examples, can be of immense help when learning how to take notes on reading material. Because the student practices, however, she will notice an extraordinary improvement. As in many other efforts, persistence in reading and taking notes pays off.
