Meaning Of Note Taking
Defines note taking, shows what information it captures, explains its study use, and compares common class note formats.
By Academic Writing Club Newsroom
Note taking means recording information as written words, typed text, or visuals for later use. The format can change based on the source, such as a lecture, reading, meeting, audio recording, or video.
| Feature | Fact |
|---|---|
| Main use | Record for later review |
| Sources | Lectures, books, articles, meetings, podcasts, and videos |
| Traditional form | Handwritten notebook notes |
| Digital form | Software based notes |
| Cornell Method | Created by Walter Pauk at Cornell University in the 1950s |
| Typical lecture speed | 120 to 180 words per minute |
| Student typing speed | 33 words per minute |
| Student longhand speed | 22 words per minute |
What Note Taking Means
The University of Illinois Chicago describes note taking as making a written, typed, or graphical record of information for later reference. Students may take notes while listening, reading, watching, or participating in a meeting.
Building Connections: Reading, Writing, and Academic Success defines notetaking as recording information from sources and platforms. Notes capture the main ideas, so the writer does not need to rely on memory for every detail.
Meeting notes may be called minutes. Building Connections: Reading, Writing, and Academic Success says they can sometimes be the only record of an event.
Why Students Take Notes
The University of Illinois Chicago says note taking creates material for review and supports encoding, which is the process of storing information in memory. Its page reports higher test scores and better understanding among students who take notes than among those who do not, even when notes are not reviewed afterward.
The Learning Center says active note taking can help students concentrate and understand main concepts. It also identifies notes as useful for reviewing class material and preparing for exams.
Building Connections: Reading, Writing, and Academic Success says listening and then summarizing can support later understanding and memory. It says notes should focus on key ideas rather than every spoken word.
Ways To Take Notes
Notes may be handwritten, typed, or visual. The University of Illinois Chicago includes graphical representations, while The Learning Center lists flowcharts and concept maps for content with sequences or steps.
The Learning Center lists Cornell Notes, flowcharts or concept maps, charting, and the sentence method. It says students can use different structures because no single note format works for everyone.
According to The Learning Center, handwriting can support learning and recall of conceptual material. Typing can provide faster recording and storage.
