Skidmore College Department of Classics

There is no one "correct" way to take notes. We can all develop our own idiosyncratic way of taking notes, and very different approaches can be equally effective. Whichever technique you employ it is important not to let notetaking become a slow, boring and passive form of learning.

DO NOT

• copy out comments, sentences, or passages verbatim UNLESS YOU INTEND TO QUOTE THEM DIRECTLY
  
• copy a mass of factual information

DO

• be neat
  
• use headings, numbered points, and highlight by underlining or different colored ink
  
• leave large spaces for amendments and additions
  
• use abbreviations and shorthand PROVIDED YOU CAN RECOGNIZE SUCH ABBREVIATIONS LATER!
  
• note fully the lecturer and date; the author, title, publisher, date, and pages of all works consulted