ACADEMIC PLANNING

Success Strategies

Note Taking
Outlining Method

In the Outlining Method, you use indenting to show the relative importance of ideas. Start at the left side of the paper with the most important points. Then indent the next line to add a supporting point. As information gets more detailed, indent further to begin writing each new point. The more major the point, the closer to the left margin. Because each level of supporting information is indented farther to the right, it is easy to see how points are related to each other. Some people use roman numerals as in a traditional outline or a combination of dashes and bullets to signal the beginning of a new level. However, this may not be necessary since each the relationship between the various points is visually clear.


First major point = far left: The first level (starting at the left margin) is reserved for main topics.
  • – first subpoint = Indent right: This point supports the main point above.
    • supporting detail = further right: Indent even further right for details that support the point noted in the level above.
    • another supporting detail for subpoint (indenting show that this is at same level as detail above.
    • a third supporting detail for subpoint
  • – second subpoint to support main point: The degree of indenting shows that it is qt the same level of importance as the first sub-point
    • -supporting detail for second subpoint
    • etc.
Second major point = Start at the far left again.
  • – subpoint for the second major point = Indent right
    • supporting detail = further right:Indent even further right for details that support the point noted in the level above
      • minor detail or example of above = Indent even further

EXCERPT
Cell Division I: The Cell Cycle
Example

You can take notes on a lecture or a reading. Click on the excerpt button to your left to see an excerpt from "Cell Division I: The Cell Cycle," Visionlearning. Then explore the sample notes below by moving your mouse over the colored text.

You Write:

Cell Division Today’s Date

  1. Prokaryotes = simpler
    1. Examples
      1. bacteria
      2. others
    2. Characteristics
      1. no nucleus
      2. division simpler, no phases.
        1. divide by binary fission
        2. no mitosis
  2. Eukaryotes
    1. Examples:
      1. plants
      2. animals
      3. fungi
      4. Protists
    2. Characteristics

Two Column Method
Charting Method