Note Taking
It may seem a simple task for students to write a summary of a particular chapter in a book for homework, but unless they are first shown select relevant material, they seldom know do it. Many students become confused as to what is relevant and tend to write far more than is necessary in a summary. Acquiring skills such as selecting a heading and a topic or theme is invaluable, especially if the student has thoughts of attending college or university.
Instructions
Headings
1. Make use of the author's headings. If the text has already provided each section with bold-type headings, it is preferable to use those because they best describe the theme of the related text. Have students read the paragraph and jot down the main idea. Then have them re-read each sentence and jot down the main sub-idea from each sentence. From this point they can reconstruct a general theme of the written text in fewer words.
2. Make use of visual displays. Have students break up their notes in much the same way as any overhead transparencies (OHT) that are displayed in the lesson. Under each heading, if the teacher has already summarized the lesson, students should write out the complete OHT as well as any extra points that the teacher inserts by way of explanation during the lesson. Later when students are studying and re-reading the notes, they should remember what the teacher said in the course of the lesson, especially when prompted by extra notes they have taken.
3. Summarize a chapter in a novel. Students often approach reading as a chore. Learning to break down novel chapters into their key points helps students understand the text and hopefully will foster their love of reading. As students read through their novel, they will find that it is usually divided into paragraphs. One method of summary is to write a sentence that captures the theme of each paragraph. Another method is to write a chapter summary by recalling the events of the whole chapter.
4. Make use of commercially available summaries such as CliffsNotes. Students should not, however, replace reading the novel with prewritten summaries. Once the novel is read, consulting works such as CliffsNotes can show students by example exactly lay out a summary. Students will see which points the professionals have selected and compare and hone their own skills in the same way. There are many uses of good summary skills and successfully teaching these can give students a lifelong ability for analysis and understanding.
