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Textbook Note Taking Forms

Taking notes from a textbook can sometimes be difficult. Where do you start and what are the important ideas and their supporting details. Use these graphic organizers to help.

TIP

  1. Choose note-taking graphic organizers based on which topic or medium you are taking notes from.
  2. Scan the textbook section by noting the topics and keywords in bold print.
  3. Write down the key points (they are often in bold print or italics) and their definitions.
  4. Read the paragraph or section.
  5. Think: what is this telling me about?
  6. Write the important points in your own words.
  7. List any pictures or charts.
  8. Color-code your notes by category or topic by using colored pencils, highlighters of different colors or highlighter tape. Color-coding improves retention by 25%.
  9. Read your notes aloud to review them.
  10. Try walking around, pedalling a stationary bike, or sitting on an exercise ball and bouncing while reviewing your notes. This added movement helps to channel any excess energy while you focus on the learning task.
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Descriptive Paragraphs

Descriptive paragraphs are used quite often. Anytime you are telling someone about an event, you are describing it. Anytime you tell someone about an object or a new shiny thing, you are describing it. Use the following template to easily write a descriptive paragraph

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Formal Essay

This is a more advanced form for outlining essays. When you have a clear outline of your essay, you make sure that each of your points serve a purpose. It is okay for this to be a working document as you piece together your essay. It helps to complete this outline before starting your essay and then reference it as you actually write the essay.

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Hamburger Paragraph

Compare writing a paragraph to building a deluxe hamburger. The top of the bun is the topic sentence. The hamburger and all its fixings are the supporting details. The bottom of the bun wraps up or concludes the paragraph.

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Narrative/Sequential Paragraph

In the United States, we write paragraphs in a basic format. First, we tell you, the reader, what we are going to tell you (main idea or thesis). Then, we provide details that support the main idea. Finally, we restate what we told you (concluding or ‘wrap up’ statement).

Tip
Good writers use a variety of types of sentences in their paragraphs.

Narrative/Sequence Paragraph
This type of paragraph is a group of sentences that specify an order of events, using words like first, next, then, after that, and finally.

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Descriptive Paragraph

In the United States, we write paragraphs in a basic format. First, we tell you, the reader, what we are going to tell you (main idea or thesis). Then, we provide details that support the main idea. Finally, we restate what we told you (concluding or ‘wrap up’ statement).

Tip
Good writers use a variety of types of sentences in their paragraphs.

Descriptive Paragraph
This type of paragraph is a group of sentences that work together to describe something specifically. Our descriptive paragraph form gives you the formula to do this easily.

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Basic American Paragraph

In the United States, we write paragraphs in a basic format. First we tell you, the reader, what we are going to tell you (main idea or thesis). Then, we provide details that support the main idea. Finally, we restate what we told you (concluding or ‘wrap up’ statement).

TIP
Good writers use a variety of types of sentences in their paragraphs.

Basic American Paragraph
This type of paragraph is a group of sentences that work together to support an idea. It includes a topic sentence, detail sentences and a concluding sentence.

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Universal Organizers

Universal Organizers

These forms are more free-form, so they can be adapted for different uses. These can be used for note-taking, planning, or just organizing your thoughts and ideas. These forms can help you visualize and prioritize hard to resolve thoughts and ideas for project planning and more.

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Storyboards

Storyboard

Storyboards are great for illustrating events in a sequence and are often used for planning the scenes in movies and commercials. They also work well for planning trips and telling stories about trips you have taken. In the large box, draw the scene, and with the lines below write down the notes that describe it.