7.1: Cornell's method of note taking

There are two columns in the Cornell's method of note taking as shown in the picture. 

The right column is the main section for the notes.

The left column is mainly designed for the key words and ideas that are related to that section of the notes.

A brief summary has to be written at the end of the column.

Cornell's Method of Note Taking

Advantages of Cornell Method

Organized structure: The layout fosters an organized approach to note-taking, helping you easily categorize and retrieve information later.

Summary skill: Writing summaries encourages synthesis and evaluation, making the process not just about capturing information but understanding it.

Review-friendly: Because it is structured, reviewing the notes is easier.

Disadvantages of Cornell Method

Not visual: Not ideal for visualizing information, or for subjects that require diagrams.

Time-consuming: Setting up the page requires time, especially adding cues and summaries afterwards.

Limited space: Handwritten notes may feel cramped.

Requires preparation: Pages must be organized in advance.

Thank You!

7: Note Taking

"Note-taking is the process of recording information from lectures, readings, or discussions in a structured way to aid understanding and retention."

Taking notes is one of the best way to store information.

Benefits of Note-taking

Taking notes enables students to:

-Actively and critically engage with the material being taught.

-Prepare for effective writing and develop well-structured arguments.

-Arrange information in a way that suits their learning style.

-Enhance understanding by rephrasing complex ideas in their own words.

-Support knowledge growth and improve memory retention.

-Manage study time effectively by focusing on key information.

Tips for Effective Note-taking

The 5 R's of note-taking include:

Record – identify and capture the main concepts.

Reduce – keep notes concise by using key terms and abbreviations.

Recite – review notes by reading them aloud or recalling them.

Reflect – consider the importance of the notes.

Review – prepare for exams, assignments, or presentations through regular review.

Thank You!

6.1: Purpose of referencing

A. It recognizes the contributions of the scholar or author, showing that their ideas have supported our own work.  

B. It offers readers a range of bibliographic information.  

C. It helps prevent plagiarism and preserves academic integrity.

Thank You!

6: Unit 5 APA Referencing Style

Referencing is a key academic skill that demonstrates understanding and rigor by situating our arguments within a relevant framework for the topic. It involves recognizing the contributions of other scholars, showing how their ideas support our work, and helping to avoid plagiarism while upholding academic integrity.

APA stands for the American Psychological Association. In academic writing, APA refers to a widely used citation style created by this association.

Five Criteria for Evaluating Sources

1) Authority: Understand the author’s identity, the information provided, and their area of expertise.

2) Purpose: Consider why the source was created and whether its intent is educational or persuasive.

3) Publication and Format: Note when the source was published, its version, and the publication format.

4) Relevance: Assess the source’s relevance to the research topic and the breadth of its topic coverage.

5) Documentation: Check if sources are cited properly and examine related sources for proper citation.

Thank You!

5: Unit 6 Academic Essay

An academic essay is a piece of writing that focuses on a topic, an idea, or a theme with a predictable pattern based on researched evidence using academic language.

One of the effective ways to read and understand instructions and questions in a university setting is to use the BUG method.

 BUG stands for the action to:

1) Box all the instruction words in the question

2) Underline all the content words in the question

3) Glance back and see what are neither instruction nor content words.

Format of an academic essay;

1) Introduction 

 -Thesis statement.

2) Body Paragraph 

 -Topic Sentence.

3) Conclusion 

  -Restatement of the Thesis.

Additional Materials.

1. https://youtu.be/MD2upUW9HgI(Essay Writing |Academic skills | University of Melbourne)

Thank You!

4.2: Do's and Don'ts in an academic writing.

We must take the following measures into consideration while doing academic writing.

- Avoid using personal pronouns like "I," "we," "my," or "myself."

- Refrain from using "you" to address the reader directly.

- Do not make broad generalizations without supporting evidence or research.

- Steer clear of phrases such as "obviously," "of course," or "everybody knows."

- Avoid contractions (e.g., "isn't," "aren't," "it's").

- Refrain from using informal language (e.g., "guys," "kids," "man").

- Avoid rhetorical questions; do not pose questions to the reader.

Thank You!

4.1: Important Features of Academic Writing

1) Formality: 

-The language should be more formal than everyday speech.

2) Structure: 

-Writing must be well-organized and clearly structured.

3) Logic: 

-Writers need to use logical reasoning throughout.

4) Evidence: 

-Academic writing relies on evidence rather than personal opinions.

5) Objectivity: 

-Avoid generalizations or exaggerations in presenting information.

6) Precision: 

-Be direct, supporting findings with specific facts and figures for validation.

Thank You!

4: Unit 4 Academic Writing

"Academic writing is a formal style of writing commonly used in universities, colleges, research publications and generally in the scholarly discourse." 

                                -Google

Academic writing is a formal way of writing practiced by the students of at the university level by meeting up the academic standards setup by the Universities.

Features of Effective Academic Writing

1) Reason of effective academic writing:

-Statements or data should result from research, using information from credible sources.

2) The student's claim are made with adequate supporting evidence: 

-Each claim must be backed by sufficient evidence, research, or statistics.

3) The students should not exaggerate on his or her claims:

-Writers should avoid overstating information based on personal interests and instead present it objectively.

4) Clear reasoning:

-Arguments should be supported by clear, verified research data and statistics.

5) Open-mindedness and discipline: 

-Writers should consider other viewpoints and maintain a focused approach.

6) Acknowledgment of opposing views:

-Respectfully include and recognize alternative perspectives when appropriate.

Thank You!

3.3: Paraphrasing

"Paraphrasing is the process of expressing the meaning of something written or spoken using different words, especially to achieve greater clarity." -Dictionary.

Paraphrasing involves rewording information from another source in your own words without altering its meaning.

Following are some of the Paraphrasing Tips that I have learnt:

1) Start at a different point than the original.

2) Use synonyms and related terms, keeping the original meaning.

3) Alter sentence structure and split information into separate sentences if needed.

4) Read the passage multiple times to grasp the meaning.

5) Take notes on key ideas after reading.

6) Rewrite based on your understanding, without checking the source.

7) Remember to cite where the information is from.

Thank You!

3.2: SQ3R Method -Francis P. Robinson

The SQ3R method is a helpful way to read and remember information while doing an academic reading.

1. Survey:  Skimming over the material quickly to see main ideas, titles, and headings.

2. Question: Think and form questions you want to answer while reading.

3. Read: Read actively to find answers to your questions and understand the main ideas.

4. Recite: Summarize the material in your own words to reinforce understanding and remember it better.

5. Review: Go over the material regularly to consolidate knowledge and remember it longer.

Using SQ3R makes reading easier to understand and helps you remember what you’ve learned.

Thank You!

3.1: Ways of an effective reading.

There are several ways which you can follow up to become an effective reader. Following are some of the methods I have learned to become an effective reader.

1.Skimming and scanning: It helps us get an overview of the text, identifying the main ideas and structure, while scanning allows us to locate specific information quickly. I realized that using these techniques can save a lot of time, especially when dealing with lengthy academic materials.

2. Active reading: It involves highlighting key points, taking notes, and asking questions while reading. This approach not only improves focus but also helps in retaining and understanding complex information. I tried this during the session, and I found that it made the content feel much clearer and more engaging.

3. Summarizing after reading: Summarizing forces us to process the information actively, solidifying our understanding and making it easier to recall later. 

Thank You!