A grownup student must be able to read a document or a chapter and understand the material on their own, outside the classroom. One of the greatest methods to ensure that this happens effectively would be 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 can be somewhat useful, but simply highlighting does little to improve the understanding of what is being read. Highlighting is a successful approach to finding a passage later, as is underlining and even making comments in the margin. However, none of they are as effective as taking notes.
The Intent behind Taking Notes While Reading
The reason the student is reading something is, usually, to gain an understanding of something that was previously not understood, or at least to improve the existing understanding of the material. Often, the reading assigned to a grownup student is more condense and full of information than reading done in grade school. Thus, the reading may 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 is being said, and to incorporate that understanding in a larger picture of the course or goal of the reading. This purpose implies that the student must understand not just this content but additionally 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 read the material significantly more than is important; in the end, the student is working within a period frame that will sometimes put constraints on the quantity of time spent in the reading. Having to read the material more times than is important can be quite a waste of time. This does not mean that the student will read the material only one time; oftentimes, multiple readings are needed. But readings shouldn't be wasted. By taking notes, the material may be understood faster and more effectively.
Just how to Take Reading Notes
Unlike the classroom, the student has the ability to read the material significantly more than once. This fact implies that the technique of taking notes may be more deliberate; the student can take the time needed to generate some structured notes, rather than utilizing a approach to note-taking that minimizes time. For this reason, probably the most effective approach to taking notes while reading is to use 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 looking to get the entire outline done with one pass. The first layer must certanly be based on the structure of the reading; if section headers are given, these could provide a readily available initial structure. Within each section, the first thing to determine is the objective of the section. Is this section putting forth an argument? Can it be explaining a concept? Providing a good example? Once the purpose is set, this should be written under the section heading.
Following the section's purpose is set, the reader then needs to include the details. I have found that carrying this out twice and comparing the outcomes creates the most truly effective notes. Browse the section through, creating an outline based on the reading. Following the section is done, the student normally has a better understanding of what that portion of reading is doing. Then reading the section a second time, creating a fresh outline can offer a fuller understanding. Whether this second reading is done immediately after the foremost is entirely around the student. With particularly difficult sections, going for a break between the readings can offer a fuller perspective on the reading, creating a better outline.
When the outline is done, it ought to be reviewed for completeness. Is anything in the outline unclear, confusing? If so, then a student has two options. Either they can reread the material, buying a clearer understanding, or a question may be designed for another class, looking a clearer understanding from the instructor.
Reading Technical Material
This technique is best suited 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, require a slightly different approach. The important thing sections for technical material tend to be not the sections provided by the reading material however the formulas being presented. When the formulas are presented, then a outline should provide first an explanation of what is in the formula then a minumum of one example; more examples are useful if the material is not clearly understood the very first time.
Practice makes Perfect
When there is any academic activity which improves with practice, it is reading and taking notes. Initially, the student will discover the endeavor difficult and fraught with uncertainty. Working together with others, comparing notes and examples, may be of immense help when learning how to take notes on reading material. Since the student practices, however, she'll notice an extraordinary improvement. As in a number of other efforts, persistence in reading and taking notes pays off.
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