Comments on How to Take Reading Notes

Use colored pens in your notes - you'll remember it better. You can also make up your own system of color coordinating your notes (Ex. red = main ideas, blue = names/dates/etc., black = details). And make sure you keep your notes organized! A loose-leaf binder or spiral bound notebook will help.

Use colored pens in your notes - you'll remember it better. You can also make up your own system of color coordinating your notes (Ex. red = main ideas, blue = names/dates/etc., black = details). And make sure you keep your notes organized! A loose-leaf binder or spiral bound notebook will help.

The most helpful tip I have found is to type my notes as soon as possible after class. Also typing notes while reading the text or those you have highlighted. This may sound like to much extra work, but if you have a poor memory then this will help. Plus you will have a great study guide to go over for the test.

The most helpful tip I have found is to type my notes as soon as possible after class. Also typing notes while reading the text or those you have highlighted. This may sound like to much extra work, but if you have a poor memory then this will help. Plus you will have a great study guide to go over for the test.

When you find something important use those mini Post-it note tabs and place it on that page. Then write down a few notes on it, or you can get colored tabs and have a different color for each character, quote, etc.

Don't take any notes, pure and simple

Using the outline method, turn headings into questions. Then read and take notes that answer the question. For example: Heading: "Our National Parks Are Being Threatened." Turn into a question and read and take notes to get the answer: "What Are National Parks? How Are They Being Threatened?" This is a great way to review for exams. You'll find that many times these same questions appear on tests!

Use colored pens in your notes - you'll remember it better. You can also make up your own system of color coordinating your notes (Ex. red = main ideas, blue = names/dates/etc., black = details). And make sure you keep your notes organized! A loose-leaf binder or spiral bound notebook will help.

Use colored pens in your notes - you'll remember it better. You can also make up your own system of color coordinating your notes (Ex. red = main ideas, blue = names/dates/etc., black = details). And make sure you keep your notes organized! A loose-leaf binder or spiral bound notebook will help.

When you find something important use those mini Post-it note tabs and place it on that page. Then write down a few notes on it, or you can get colored tabs and have a different color for each character, quote, etc.

During class, write down your notes so you can at least read them. Then, when you go home later, make a nice and organized outline. Maybe even do it on the computer. It is always much more interesting when it's neater.

I've found it helpful to write down only the points that I find hard to understand or did not know before. Often there is information in reading material you've already run across. There's no need to waste your time recording these things.