Note taking – the act of recording information you have heard or read in shortened form.

Formats/Kinds of note taking

 Cornell method- provides a systematic and organized method of taking down notes
 Note taking through graphics/ graphic note taking- refers to drawing images/ visuals to record and
remember important details from the materials read or lectures heard
 Outline method- most common format of note taking
- a short verbal sketch that shows the flow of ideas of a text
- consists of main ideas and sub-ideas

Outline Formats
 Roman and Arabic Number and Letter System
- Also known as the Roman Alphanumeric System and/or the Standard Outlining Format
- This format uses Roman numerals and alphabets

 Decimal Numbering System

- This format only makes use of decimal numbers

Roman and Arabic Number and Letter System Decimal Numbering System
Title Title

I. First Main Idea 1.First Main Idea

A. Sub-idea 1.1 Sub-idea
B. Sub-idea 1.2 Sub-idea
C. Sub-idea 1.3 Sub-idea
i. Supporting idea 1.3.1 Supporting idea
ii. Supporting idea 1.3.2 Supporting idea
a. Minor idea 1.3.2.1 Minor idea
b. Minor idea 1.3.2.1 Minor idea
II. Second Main Idea 2. Second Main Idea
III. Third Main Idea 3. Third Main Idea

Remember that outlines may have several levels depending on the text that you are going to write or read. It can
be a one-level outline, a two-level outline, a three-level outline, and so on.

Summary –is a shorter version of the original text, including only the major details. It is told from the third
person point of view

Precis – a kind of summary or condensation in one’s own words of a longer piece of writing, closely
following the general order and proportion of the original text as well as maintaining its tone (Tone
refers to the attitude of the writer toward the subject matter and audience).
– the point of view of the author of the original text is maintained
– involves stripping the text to its essentials or basics
– follows the paragraph format and looks like a mini version of the original
– reduction of original material to one-fourth or one-third of its length

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Paraphrase – a restatement or rephrasing of the original text in simpler terms or words for it to be more
understandable
–it is a kind of translation from one language register to another (i.e. from scientific to layman’s
terms)
–a full rewriting of the original text and it usually becomes longer than the original

Scanning – this reading skill is used when searching for a specific piece of information. Instead of reading an
entire text, the reader’s eyes search quickly for what is needed. You scan when you are looking for the
telephone number of a particular person in the telephone directory.

Skimming –is a reading strategy to get the gist of the text or an overview of the ideas presented. You do not
read the entire text, you just quickly go through the reading material and get the main ideas.

Active Reading –is a type of reading where you involve yourself with the reading material. You highlight,
underline, and annotate details as you read. When you are reading a literary piece, you ask questions about why
the character acted in a particular way or what is the meaning of a certain event in comparison with the real
world.

Extensive Reading –is when you read longer pieces of writing for leisure. You are not time pressured and you
read at your own pace.

Intensive Reading –is when you read a shorter reading material but you have specific learning aims and tasks
for the said material.

Short Story –is a brief fictional narrative. It is very short compared to a novel.

Elements of a Short Story

Character –refers to the people in the story

Two kinds of characters
–A Flat character only has one outstanding trait/ feature (example: antagonist)
–A Round character is dynamic meaning she can change or develop (example: protagonist
Plot –is a dramatic situation where a character wants something, tries to get it, and is opposed (this is where the
conflict rises)
Point of View –refers to who is the narrator or the story-teller
First person –the main character serves as the narrator and the first person pronoun “I” and “me” is used.
Third Person Limited Omniscient –the story is told from the third person meaning the narrator is outside
the story. She cannot reveal the thoughts of the characters. The pronouns he, she, and they are “used”.
Third Person Omniscient –the story is told from the third person and yet the thought of every character is
made known to the reader

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