Hornbill | Class 11 English Notes

Step 5: Characteristics of Good Notes

The final step in note-making is to ensure that the notes possess certain characteristics that make them effective study tools. Good notes should be short and identify the main points clearly. They must be written in 'note form', using phrases rather than full sentences, and should be logically divided and subdivided using numbers or letters. The chapter outlines two common numbering systems: the hierarchical system using numbers, letters, and Roman numerals, and the decimal system using numbers with decimal points to indicate subdivisions. Abbreviations and symbols should be used freely to save time and space, and articles, prepositions, and conjunctions are typically omitted. Most importantly, notes must make sense when read later; otherwise, they lose their usefulness. The chapter illustrates these principles with a passage about the formation of coal and petroleum, demonstrating how to underline key phrases, write points in note form, combine related ideas, and number them logically. This comprehensive approach ensures that notes are concise, organized, and meaningful, facilitating effective learning and revision.

📊 Diagram: No diagrams; focus on note-making principles.

🧪 Activity: Students analyze a passage on coal and petroleum formation and practice making good notes following the outlined characteristics.

🔗 Connection: This section concludes the note-making process and prepares students for other writing skills like summarising and essay writing.