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How to Take Notes on a Text

Fiction No. 1, Koshiro Onchi (1953)
Scholars:

 Copy and paste this information into a Word document. Print it out. Write your name, the date, and the period at the top. (You may also handwrite the suggestions below instead.) Then use a three-hole puncher so that you can keep the list of pointers for note taking in your three-ring binder.
  1. Summarize important chapters/scenes/sections of the text.
  2. Write down all vocabulary words that you do not know.  Look up the definitions and write them down.
  3. Write down any questions you have about what you are reading, i.e., things that you don’t understand. Ask your teacher in class about confusing sections.  Be sure you have written down the page numbers for confusing sections in the text.
  4. Write down good examples of figurative language—similes, metaphors, personification.  Quote; provide the page number.  Elaborate on the effectiveness of the figurative language.
  5. Write down which sections/aspects of the text you liked best.  Provide page numbers. Explain why you liked those sections.
  6. Write down which sections/aspects of the text you liked least.  Provide page numbers. Explain why you did not prefer those sections.
  7. Write down predictions that you have about the story as you are reading.  What do you predict will happen in terms of plot or characterization?
  8. Write down examples of themes you have discovered in the text.  Indicate parts of the text (page numbers) where the theme is most evident.  Provide a good quote that represents the theme.
  9. Write down any links that you can make to another subject you have learned about, or perhaps something relevant in the media (movies, news, etc.)
  10. Quote sections of the text that reveal characterization of the most important characters.  Explain what the quote reveals about that character’s personality/motivations/intentions.  Be sure to indicate the page number.
  11. Write down examples of passages with good imagery, descriptive language, or symbolism.  Explain what you like about that imagery, descriptive language, or symbolism; explain why it is effective.  Cite page numbers.

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