Note-Taking Handbook R45

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Note-Taking Handbook

Note-Taking StrategiesTaking notes as you read helps you understand the information. Thenotes you take can also be used as a study guide for later review. Thishandbook presents several ways to organize your notes.

Content Frame1. Make a chart in which each column represents a category.

2. Give each column a heading.

3. Write details under the headings.

Combination Notes1. For each new idea or concept, write an informal outline of

the information.

2. Make a sketch to illustrate the concept, and label it.

informal outline

contactforce

gravity

friction

NOTES

Types of forces

• contact force

• gravity

• friction

forces on a box

being pushed

NAME GROUP CHARACTERISTICS DRAWING

snail mollusks mantle, shell

ant arthropods six legs, exoskeleton

earthworm segmented segmented body,

worms circulatory and

digestive systems

heartworm roundworms digestive system

sea star echinoderms spiny skin, tube feet

jellyfish cnidarians stinging cells

categories

details

sketch with labels

Make flash cards tohelp you study for atest. Write a concepton one side of eachcard and draw thesketch that goes withit on the other side.Use the cards toreview concepts witha friend.

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Main Idea and Detail Notes1. In the left-hand column of a two-column chart, list main ideas. The blue

headings express main ideas throughout this textbook.

2. In the right-hand column, write details that expand on each main idea.

You can shorten the headings in your chart. Be sure to use the most important words.

Main Idea Web1. Write a main idea in a box.

2. Add boxes around it with related vocabulary terms and important details.

1. Latitude affects climate.

2. Altitude affects climate.

1. Places close to the equator are

usually warmer than places

close to the poles.

1. Latitude has the same effect

in both hemispheres.

2. Temperature decreases with

altitude.

2. Altitude can overcome

the effect of latitude

on temperature.

DETAIL NOTESMAIN IDEAS

main idea 2

details aboutmain idea 1

details aboutmain idea 2

main idea 1

When studying fortests, cover up thedetail notes columnwith a sheet of paper.Then use each mainidea to form a ques-tion—such as ”Howdoes latitude affectclimate?“ Answer thequestion, and thenuncover the detailnotes column to checkyour answer.

Force is necessary to do work.

Work is the use of force

to move an object.Work = force · distance

The joule is the unit used

to measure work.

Work depends on the

size of a force.

definition of work

definition of joule important detail

main idea

formulaYou can find definitions near highlighted terms.

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Mind Map1. Write a main idea in the center.

2. Add details that relate to one another and to the main idea.

Supporting Main Ideas1. Write a main idea in a box.

2. Add boxes underneath with information—such as reasons, explanations,and examples—that supports the main idea.

Continents were one landmass.

Continents were surrounded by single ocean.

Earth cooled, and water

vapor condensed.

Condensed vapor formed oceans.

Continents separate oceans into sections.

Most of Earth is covered by water.

When Earth formed, water

vapor rose to surface.

Continents have moved apart.

All of oceans’ sections are connected.

Ocean water covers 71 percent of Earth.

A mind map helps you see connec-tions among ideas. You can add tothe map as you continue reading.

EM waves are disturbances in a field

rather than in a material medium.

EM waves can travel through

a vacuum.

EM waves travel at the speed

of light.

Electromagnetic waves

have unique properties.

main idea You can use the headings in blue typeas main ideas.

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Outline1. Copy the chapter title and headings from the book in the form

of an outline.

2. Add notes that summarize in your own words what you read.

Cell Processes

I. Cells capture and release energy.

A. All cells need energy.

B. Some cells capture light energy.

1. Process of photosynthesis

2. Chloroplasts (site of photosynthesis)

3. Carbon dioxide and water as raw materials

4. Glucose and oxygen as products

C. All cells release energy.

1. Process of cellular respiration

2. Fermentation of sugar to carbon dioxide

3. Bacteria that carry out fermentation

II. Cells transport materials through membranes.

A. Some materials move by diffusion.

1. Particle movement from higher to lower

concentrations

2. Movement of water through membrane

(osmosis)

B. Some transport requires energy.

1. Active transport

2. Examples of active transport

1st detail about B

2nd detail about B

Correct Outline FormInclude a title.

Arrange key ideas, subpoints,and details as shown.

Indent the divisions of the outline as shown.

Use the same grammaticalform for items of the samerank. For example, if A is a sentence, B must also be asentence.

You must have at least twomain ideas or subpoints. Thatis, every A must be followed by a B, and every 1 must befollowed by a 2.

1st key idea

1st subpoint of I

2nd subpoint of I

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Concept Map1. Write an important concept in a large oval.

2. Add details related to the concept in smaller ovals.

3. Write linking words on arrows that connect the ovals.

Venn Diagram1. Draw two overlapping circles, one for each item that you are comparing.

2. In the overlapping section, list the characteristics that are shared by both items.

3. In the outer sections, list the characteristics that are peculiar to each item.

4. Write a summary that describes the information in the Venn diagram.

life

top

third

second

lowest

supports

consistsof

troposphere

stratosphere

mesosphere

thermosphere

energy layers

The main ideas orconcepts can often befound in the blueheadings. An exampleis “The atmospherestores and movesenergy.” Use nounsfrom these conceptsin the ovals, and usethe verb or verbs onthe lines.

Summary: Both light waves and sound waves have wavelengths

and frequencies. Unlike light waves, sound waves cannot move

through empty space.

characteristics shared by both lightwaves and sound waves

characteristics notshared by light waves characteristics not shared

by sound waves can move

through emptyspace

cannot movethrough empty

space

havewavelength

and frequency

Light Waves Sound Waves

storesand

moves

EARTH’SATMOSPHERE

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Vocabulary StrategiesImportant terms are highlighted in this book. A definition of eachterm can be found in the sentence or paragraph where the termappears. You can also find definitions in the Glossary. Taking notesabout vocabulary terms helps you understand and remember whatyou read.

Description Wheel1. Write a term inside a circle.

2. Write words that describe the term on ”spokes“ attached to the circle.

Four Square1. Write a term in the center.

2. Write details in the four areas around the term.

moving water a

main agent

leads to deposition

EROSION

carries

particles

long d

ista

nces

carries sediment

wind and ice

other agents

firs

t stage:

weath

ering

Definition

any living thing

Characteristics

needs food, water,

air; needs energy;

grows, develops,

reproduces

Examples

dogs, cats, birds,

insects, flowers,

trees

Nonexamples

rocks, water, dirt

ORGANISM

Include a definition,some characteristics,and examples. Youmay want to add aformula, a sketch, orexamples of thingsthat the term doesnot name.

When studying for atest with a friend, readthe phrases on thespokes one at a timeuntil your friend identi-fies the correct term.

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Frame Game1. Write a term in the center.

2. Frame the term with details.

Magnet Word1. Write a term on the magnet.

2. On the lines, add details related to the term.

Word Triangle1. Write a term and its definition in the bottom section.

2. In the middle section, write a sentence in which the term is used correctly.

3. In the top section, draw a small picture to illustrate the term.

ME = PE + KE

energy of position and motion

MECHANICALENERGY

bouncing

ball

Include examples,descriptions,sketches, or sen-tences that use theterm in context.Change the frameto fit each newterm.

BIODIVERSITYdiversity

populations

abundance

life

habitats

variety

species

communities

You can also use phrases orsentences on the lines.

The salinity of

ocean water is

about 35 grams of

salt per 1000 grams of

water.

salinity: the saltiness of water