Reading Assessment

Note-taking While Reading Activity 1

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When reading for study purposes, it is common to take notes. People take notes for different reasons: to stay focused on what they are reading or listening to, to remember information better, or to deepen their understanding of the information.

Here are some steps for note-taking:

1. Define your purpose for reading. Is it to get a general understanding of the text? To find specific information for a class assignment? Or to be able to recall information during an exam? Thinking about the purpose will help you stay focused on the information in the text that is relevant to your needs.
2. Preview the text to get a general sense of its content and how the information is organized. For example, skim headings, sub-headings, chapter summaries and charts. Getting a sense of how the entire text is organized and what the main ideas are will help you organize your notes. For example, the headings in the text (or table of contents) can be used as headings for your own notes.
3. While reading the text, try to differentiate between the main points and supporting details. It is helpful to read the introduction to the text and topic sentence of each paragraph for the main points. Take notes of the main points and supporting details.

1. What are the reasons that people take notes? (Select all that apply, then click "Check.")
   1. to help them recall
   2. to write down what they already know
   3. to increase their knowledge of a topic
   4. to see how much they can remember
   5. to help them be more attentive
2. One of the keys to good note-taking is to keep in mind your ________ for reading the text. (Answer with one word.)
   purpose
3. ________ taking notes, it is a good idea to understand a the organization and general idea(s) of the reading. (Answer with one word.)
   Before
4. When taking notes from a reading, it is a good idea to use the headings or table of contents to help ________ the notes.
   organize
5. Which word in the text means "to perceive the difference between two things?"
   differentiate
6. Understanding the difference between ________ is important when taking notes from a reading.
   1.   major and minor supporting details
   2.   main ideas and supporting details
   3.   heading and subheadings
   4.   all of the above