d.
PARAPHRASING:
This method of taking notes emphasizes taking the
materials read paragraph by paragraph and re-
rendering them in one’s word, to
bring out only m
ajor ideas with one’s personal interpretations of same.
e.
SUMMARISATION:
After reading a whole passage or a piece of materials the
student should ask himself what the author has said and write this down in his
own words. He can turn to the passage to remind himself of the key words and
ideas.
f.
THE VERBATIM REPORTER:
Majority of students use this method in
lectures. They want to put down virtually everything that the lecturer says and
once they miss out certain words, the notes taken become less useful. This
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method is very weak method and it is similar to taking down dictation from the
lecturer. This should not be encouraged.
g.
USE OF ABBREVIATIONS
: Another useful method of taking notes quickly
and effectively is the use of abbreviations. This method saves time and space
and helps the student catch up with important ideas especially in lectures. Some
subjects have specific signs/codes used as abbreviation. Each students has to
learn those in his subject. Sometimes there may be need to coin or invent
personal codes which the student employs as abbreviations. However, there is
need for care and caution in interpreting the abbreviated words as well as the
codes when revising.
3.5
Different Types of Reading:
The school counselor can also guide the students
regarding how to read. There are various reading strategies depending on the
purpose of reading. At times the students may need to read a book from cover
to cover, at other time, he might have to read just a few chapters in a book while
in other cases he might just be required to read a part of single chapter.
Basically there are five reading methods.
a.
Skimming:
This is done to have a general impression of the book, that
is to understand what it is all about. Not every word is read but key
areas like the title page and the major sub-headings, the first paragraph
of the chapter, the first one or two sentences of each paragraph, the last
paragraph of the chapter, the summary of the chapter should also be
noted.
b.
Scanning:
Scanning involves one’s eyes do
wn the pages to look for
specific information. There is no need of reading every word or detail.
For more understanding however, one may decide to read the paragraph
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or few sentences before and after the specific information one is
actually looking for.
c.
Critical Reading
: AT times, one may be reading only for the purpose
of finding out the author’s point of view, what motivated him to write
and his biases to assist one in making up one’s mind on certain issues.
The facts are therefore carefully separated from opinions and general
comments while reading.
