A grown-up student needs to manage to read a report or even a chapter and understand the material on their own, not in the classroom. One of the finest methods to make sure 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 often somewhat useful, but simply highlighting does little to boost the understanding of what's being read. Highlighting is an effective method 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 Purpose of Taking Notes While Reading
The reason the student is reading something is, usually, to get an understanding of something which was previously not understood, or at the least to boost the existing understanding 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 may be more difficult.
The objective of taking notes while reading is two-fold. On the one hand, the student is trying to know what will be said, and to add that understanding in a larger picture of the course or goal of the reading. This purpose means 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, quicker understood. On another hand, the student does not need to read the material a lot more than is necessary; after all, the student is working within a period frame that may sometimes put constraints on the amount of time spent in the reading. Being forced to read the material more times than is necessary can be a waste of time. This doesn't signify the student will see the material only once; 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 exactly to Take Reading Notes
Unlike the classroom, the student has the ability to read the material a lot more than once. This fact means that the method of taking notes may be more deliberate; the student can take the time needed to produce a set of structured notes, as opposed to using a method of note-taking that minimizes time. Because of this, probably the most effective method of taking notes while reading is by using an outline. By creating an outline, the structure of the material may be quicker understood.MyReadingManga
The outline ought to be constructed as a string of layers, as opposed to trying to get the entire outline finished with one pass. The initial layer ought to be based on the structure of the reading; if section headers are provided, these could give a easily available initial structure. Within each section, the very first thing to ascertain is the goal of the section. Is this section putting forth a quarrel? Can it be explaining a concept? Providing a good example? Once the purpose is decided, this will be written underneath the section heading.
Following the section's purpose is decided, the reader then needs to set up the details. I have discovered that carrying this out twice and comparing the outcome creates the most truly effective notes. Read the section through, creating an outline based on the reading. Following the section is completed, the student usually has a better understanding of what that portion of reading is doing. Then reading the section another time, creating a fresh outline can provide a fuller understanding. Whether this second reading is completed right after the very first is entirely around the student. With particularly difficult sections, taking a break involving the readings can provide a fuller perspective on the reading, creating a better outline.
Once the outline is created, it should be reviewed for completeness. Is anything in the outline unclear, confusing? If so, then a student has two options. Either he is able to reread the material, buying a clearer understanding, or even a question may be designed for the following class, looking a clearer understanding from the instructor.
Reading Technical Material
This technique is most effective in material where claims are created and supported, such as for example in economics, design principles, or surveys. Technical writing, such as for example mathematics and electronics, desire a slightly different approach. The main element sections for technical material are often not the sections supplied by the reading material nevertheless the formulas being presented. Once the formulas are presented, then a outline should provide first a reason of what's in the formula then a minumum of one 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 together with others, comparing notes and examples, may be of immense help when learning just how to take notes on reading material. Since the student practices, however, she will notice an amazing improvement. As in a great many other efforts, persistence in reading and taking notes pays off.
