This eight-part series on note-taking is about the planning stage of the writing process, when you need to collect, organize, and assess content whether reporting on a meeting, documenting a project, or writing an essay for publication.
Assuming you have captured the key words and phrases described in part 2 of this series, you should now be ready to transcribe them into a bullet list of high points. You're still in the note-taking stage, so quantity is more important than quality. Don't even concern yourself with organizing your list of ideas; that step will come after you have content to assess. You should get started as soon as possible to maximize your chances of recalling what you heard and saw at the meeting.
As an example, Gino's assignment is to determine the feasibility of renting a satellite office for his company in a neighboring town. Your assignment is to capture the key points of the discussion at a weekly meeting. Your notes look something like this:
Now create a bullet list of the items under an agenda-item heading:
But what if questions pop up about how great the space itself is? They likely won't, but you'll always have your notes if they do.
As an example, Gino's assignment is to determine the feasibility of renting a satellite office for his company in a neighboring town. Your assignment is to capture the key points of the discussion at a weekly meeting. Your notes look something like this:
Not feasible to rent 135 Main Street, 3rd floor, only available space in Oakville. Toured area. No problems there except no public transportation. No big deal, all of our staff drive to work. Good restaurants a block away (Big Garden Chinese, Americana Diner, Supreme Soul Food, Suave Soups). Walked entire floor: 2,000 square feet, sufficient for proposed 15 staff. Rent $12.75 square foot. Area average $8.40 square foot. Report at meeting next week on Parkton rental space.
Now create a bullet list of the items under an agenda-item heading:
Satellite Office Feasibility Study
- Gino says: not feasible to rent 135 Main Street, 3rd floor, 2,000 square feet, only available space in Oakville
- Rent: $12.75/square foot, 52% higher than area average
- Gino will check in Parkton, report in meeting next week
But what if questions pop up about how great the space itself is? They likely won't, but you'll always have your notes if they do.
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Part 1: Preparing to Take Notes
Part 2: Listening with a Purpose
Part 3: Reading with a Purpose
