Page 55 - DENG101_Communication Skills-I

Communication Skills-I

Notes 4. Conciseness

5. Underlined or highlighted key points
6. Margins or written on every other line to allow space for comments or future additional
notes
7. Inclusion of diagrams, flow charts and colours (if appropriate)

8. Suitable layout

Example: The following is an example of sequential note-making on Indian
States:
Indian States
1. Delhi
(a) Capital of India

(b) Major business and cultural hub
(c) Famous for its Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Jama Masjid
2. Tamil Nadu
(a) Southernmost state
(b) Chennai is the capital city
(c) Good literacy rate

And so on…
The notes given in the example are clear and organised which forms a pattern and it’s easier to
store the information in long-term memory. The use of key ideas or words is crucial to sequential
note-making. It is therefore important that you choose these carefully at the outset before
compiling your notes.

5.6.2 Pattern Note-Making or Mind-Mapping

In 1979, Tony Buzan advocated that we need to make more use of note-making forms that use
the right side of our brain. The left side of the brain works in a linear way; it deals with lists and
sequences. On the other hand, the right side builds and stores images and patterns.

Buzan introduced the concept of mind-mapping which involves making notes with patterns and
by using images. Buzan believes that these images and patterns can be important aspects of our
learning processes and provide effective routes to understanding.
This technique is a more visual method of note-making than a linear approach. This approach
uses arrows and circles to connect key words/phrases and should lead to the creation of a
spreading pattern in all directions, rather than just words which start at the top of the page and
work down. It is same as mind mapping technique we discussed in unit 5.
The main features of pattern note-making/mind-mapping include:

1. Starting with a central heading / concept in the centre of the page
2. Noting key words, ideas and / or concepts which surround the central idea / concept
3. Heading and subheadings highlighted with boxes / circles
4. Underlined or highlighted key points

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