NOTE TAKING: USING SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

When you are taking notes during a lecture, you have to write down a lot oi’ information very quickly. Instead of writing out each word separately, you should develop the habit of using symbols and abbreviations.

You may want to change some of the symbols and abbreviations below to ones that are easier for you to remember and use. You will probably also want to invent some of your own, depending on the content of the lecture you are attending. When you invent symbols and abbreviations, it is important to review your notes as soon as possible after the lecture while their meanings are still fresh in your mind.

Symbols

Here are some symbols that are commonly used in English. Many of them come from the field of mathematics.

Abbreviations

In addition to using symbols, good note takers abbreviate long words or words that are frequently used. Here are a few standard abbreviations that are commonly used in English. Notice that some are based on Latin words.

(for example; "e. g.” is from the Latin exempli gratia) (with)

(and other similar things, from the Latin etcetera) (before noon, from the Latin ante meridiem)

(after noon, from the Latin post meridiem) (government)

(education)

(Professor)

(Doctor)

(usually)

Pro and Con

pro (for, a Latin prefix meaning "in favor of”) con (against, an abbreviation of the Latin contra)

When taking notes, these tw»o words are useful. Many texts and lecturers talk about arguments for or against something, or the advantages and disadvantages of something. In such cases, it is easy to simply use the heading pro for arguments in favor of something or its advantages, and the heading con for arguments against something or its disadvantages. (The terms may be used in the plural as well: pros and cons.) It is also common for people to use these terms in conversation.

1 Study the symbols and abbreviations in the column on the left. Match them with their definitions in the column on the right. You might want to use some of these symbols and abbreviations in your notes for the lecture in this chapter.

Compare your answers with a partner.

Now listen to an excerpt from the lecture. Take notes as you listen, using symbols and abbreviations. Use your notes to tell your partner what you heard. Did you gather the same information?

LECTURE, PART ONE: Disadvantages and Advantages of Single-Sex Education for Girls

GUESSING VOCABULARY FROM CONTEXT

1 The following items contain important vocabulary from Part One of the lecture. Work with a partner. Using the context and your knowledge of related words, take turns trying to guess the meanings of the words in bold.

1 I’m often asked to defend single-sex education.

___ 2 as if girls’ schools were on trial

3 goes against the aims and the goals of feminists

4 Single-sex schools do not provide a smooth transition into the adult world.

5 Single-sex education values girls.

6 It values girls’ unique qualities.

___ 7 It helps girls develop self-confidence.

2 Work with your partner. Match the vocabulary terms with their definitions by writing the letter of each definition below in the blank next to the sentence or phrase containing the correct term in step 1. Check your answers in a dictionary if necessary.

a unusual, special b easy way

c the feeling that you can manage any situation d being questioned in a court of law e people who support womens rights f encourages and supports g explain why I am in favor of

NOTE TAKING: USING SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

1 Look at these notes on Part One of the lecture. Think about what kind of

information might belong in the blanks. Notice that these notes are formatted in columns. The Cons (disadvantages, reasons against) arc in the first (left) column because these are the first aspects of the topic that Dr. Frosch presents. The Pros (advantages, reasons in favor of) are in the second (right) column. Putting your notes in columns labeled Pros and Cons is often an effective way to organize notes if a lecture is an argument for or against something, which this lecture is.

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Now listen to ParL One of the lecture. Take notes on your own paper. Remember to use symbols and abbreviations.

3 I Use vour own notes to complete the notes in step 1.

4 ! Compare your completed notes for step 1 with a partner.