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How can I take notes effectively?
Taking notes effectively will aid your understanding, writing and remembering.
- Scan for the main ideas and to increase interest.
- If the material is relevant, read in full.
- Read with purpose - highlight the most important points.
- Now take brief notes, preferably in your own words.
- Be a critical thinker. Ask yourself questions.
- What is the main idea?
- What are the supporting ideas?
- How do these ideas compare with those in other texts?
- Is the text biased/narrow point of view?
- Are there any key quotes?
To be an effective reader you need to read with:
- a purpose (know why you are reading)
- a plan (know the way you need to read to match the purpose of your reading)
- cite your source
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