Notetaking in lectures

We often just focus on the lecture itself, but effective notetaking has three stages.

1.  Before the lecture:

  • Know what the lecture will be about and identify the key things you are listening for.
  • Set up your own abbreviation system to make it quicker to take notes.  (It is a good idea to write the abbreviations out, so that you don’t forget them later!
2.  During the lecture:

  • Use a notetaking system that works for you.
  • The lecturer will often signal important points through her language:
    1. Often the introduction to the lecture will give you the structure.  Take note of this so that you can structure your notes in the same way and make sure you cover everything.
    2. If a point is repeated, it is often important.
    3. Most lectures end with a summary.  Use this to check that you have covered everything in your notes.
    4. Make notes on key theorists and theories, as well as anything that is defined for you.
    5. Signalling words (‘first’, ‘then’ and ‘next’) help to structure the lecture and your notes.
  • Important points might also be signalled verbally or physically.
    1. A pause is a good hint that what follows is important.
    2. Take note of facial expressions to clarify what is important and what is not.
    3. If the lecturer steps forward, it is a cue they think the point is important.
3.  After the lecture:
  • Review your notes to make sure they are complete and make sense.

Need more information?  Try these sources…

Last modified: Monday, 30 August 2021, 3:31 PM