NOTE MAKING

It is difficult to retain all that you hear through the lectures of your teachers,
speakers or coaches. Hence, it becomes imperative to take down handy
notes for later references.

Taking down notes helps you reconnect to the moment. At times, our
memory misses on some points; notes help us connect to those points.

Also, it helps us to use the speaker’s effective language to make an

impactful statement.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

· Title/ Heading: the passage that you read has a central theme. This
theme or idea becomes your “title”.

· Always have a quick first read to understand the tone of the passage
and the message it tries to convey.

· In your second reading, make use of your pencil to underline the key
points that constitute the passage.

· Provide a “Heading” of the paragraph you read and look for sub-
points that support the heading. At times, you may find that your
supporting sub-point also has a supporting reference. This becomes
your “Sub sub-point”.

· Use phrases, abbreviations for writing your notes. Full sentences are
not required as notes are nothing but a quick jotting down of points
during an active talk/session.

· There are some accepted abbreviations that can be used. Also, you
can make your own abbreviation by keeping a few letters of the words
e.g. teacher – tchr (omit vowels), memory – mmry etc. keep 4 to 6
abbreviations in your note making.
· At the end, summarize your passage/notes in 80-100 words (1/3rd of
the passage).

FORMAT

NOTE-MAKING

MAIN HEADING/TITLE

(SUB –TITLE, IF ANY)

1. SUB HEADING

1.1 SUB-POINT

1.2 SUB-POINT

2. SUB HEADING

2.1 SUB POINT

2.1.1 SUB SUB-POINT

2.1.2 SUB SUB-POINT

2.1.3 SUB SUB-POINT

2.2 SUB POINT

2.3 SUB POINT

3. SUB HEADING

3.1 …

3.2 …
 3.3 …

3.3.1 …

3.3.2 …

4. SUB HEADING

4.1 …

4.2 …

4.3 …

Words Abbreviation

1. teacher tchr

2. student stdnt

3. engineer engr

4. solution soln

5. reaction rxn

Summary

In 80 – 100 words (usually 1/3rd of the text)

FORMAT ENDS (DO NOT WRITE THIS)

Known abbreviation:

● Acronyms like RADAR, UNESCO, UNICEF, AIDS

● Latin symbols like e.g., etc., i.e.
● Mathematical symbols such as +ve (positive), -ve (negative) =(is
equal to), > (is greater than), <(is smaller than)
● Shortened forms like govt., exam. univ., etc.
 NOTE MAKING SAMPLE:

Q.1. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
(8 Marks)

The tests of life are its plus factors. Overcoming illness and suffering is a plus
factor for it moulds character. Steel is iron plus fire; soil is rock plus heat. So,
let’s include the plus factor in our lives.

Sometimes the plus factor is more readily seen by the simple hearted. Myers
tells the story of a mother who was brought into her home – as a companion to
her own son- a little boy who happened to have a hunch back. She had warned
her son to be careful, not to refer to his disability. The boys were playing and
after a few minutes she overheard her son say to his companion “Do you know
what you have got on your back?” The little boy was embarrassed, but before
he could reply, his playmate continued “It is the box in which your wings are,
and some day God is going to cut it open and then you will fly away and be an
angel.”
Often it takes a third eye or a change in focus to see the plus factor. Walking
along the corridors of a hospital recently where patients were struggling with
fear of pain and tests, I was perturbed. What gave me a fresh perspective were
the sayings put up everywhere, intended to uplift. One saying made me
conscious of the beauty of the universe in the midst of pain, suffering and
struggle. The other saying assured me that God was with me when I was in
deep water and that no troubles would overwhelm me.

The import of those sayings also made me aware of the nether springs that flow
into people’s lives when they touch rock bottom or are lonely or guilt ridden.
The Nether springs make recovery possible, and they bring peace and patience
in the midst of negative forces.

The forces of death and destruction are not so much physical as they are
psychic and psychological. When malice, hatred and hard heartedness prevail,
they get channelled as forces of destruction. Where openness, peace and good
heartedness prevail, the forces of life gush forth to regenerate hope and joy.
The life force is triumphant when love overcomes fear. Both fear and love are
deep mysteries, but the effect of love is to build, whereas fear tends to destroy.
Love is generally the plus factor that helps build character. It creates bonds and
its reach is infinite.

It is true there is no shortage of destructive elements – forces and people who

seek to destroy others and, in the process, destroy themselves – but at the
same time there are signs of love and life everywhere that are constantly
enabling us to overcome setbacks. So, let’s not look at gloom and doom – let us
seek positivity and happiness. For it is when you seek that you will find what is
waiting to be discovered.

(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it
in points only, using abbreviations, wherever necessary. Also suggest a
suitable title. (5 Marks)

Answer:

Title: The Tests of Life- the Plus Factors

A. The Importance of the Tests of Life:

A.1. Illness & Suffering build Char.
A.2. Simple hearted-View disability +vely. Eg: boy with hunch-backed
companion.
B. Change of focus required:
B.1. Sayings in hospital: awaken one to universe amidst pain; presence of
God
B.1.1. Give strength to overcome obstacles
B.1.2. Realization – underlying him. strength in troubles
B.1.3. Bring Peace & Patience

C. Forces of Destruction
C.1. Psychic & psychological
C.2. Consist of malice, hatred & hard headedness
C.3. Fear destroys

D. Forces of Life
D.1. Openness, peace& good heartedness
D.2. Love overcomes fear. Love builds char.& bonds
D.3. Discover signs of love, defeat destructive elements.

Key Abbreviations
1. Character – char
2. Positively – +very
3. Human – Hum
4. Psychological – Psychlgcl
5. Destructive – destrctve

SUMMARY

The tests of life like illness, suffering, pain and disability build character. The
simple hearted have the ability to view them as signs of hope and the presence
of God. Even in the midst of suffering there is God. The belief that amongst pain
and suffering the universe is still beautiful and God present gives strength to
overcome obstacles. One must realize there is an underlying human strength
that emerges during troubles. This brings peace and patience. The forces of
destruction can be overcome by the power of love.

Q.2. Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
(8 Marks)

Conversation is indeed the most easily teachable of all arts. All you need to do
in order to become a good conversationalist is to find a subject that interests
you and your listeners. There are, for example, numberless hobbies to talk
about. But the important thing is that you must talk about other fellow’s hobby
rather than your own. Therein lies the secret of your popularity. Talk to your
friends about the things that interest them, and you will get a reputation for
good fellowship, charming wit, and a brilliant mind. There is nothing that
pleases people so much as your interest in their interest.

It is just as important to know what subjects to avoid and what subjects to

select for good conversation. If you don’t want to be set down as a wet blanket
or a bore, be careful to avoid certain unpleasant subjects. Avoid talking about
yourself, unless you are asked to do so. People are interested in their own
problems not in yours. Sickness or death bores everybody. The only one who
willingly listens to such talk is the doctor, but he gets paid for it.

To be a good conversationalist you must know not only what to say, but how
also to say it. Be mentally quick and witty. But don’t hurt others with your wit.
Finally try to avoid mannerism in your conversation. Don’t bite your lips or click
your tongue, or roll your eyes or use your hands excessively as you speak.

Don’t be like that Frenchman who said, “How can I talk if you hold my hand?”

.
(a) On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make notes on it
in points only, using abbreviations, wherever necessary. Also suggest a
suitable title. (5 Marks)

Title: The Art of Conversation Notes

A. Conv’n – most easily tch’ble art

A.1. Reqd. interest’g subject – hobbies
A.2. Talk about other fellow’s hobby
A.3. A good conversationalist
A.3.1. good f’ship
 A.3.2. charm’g wit
A.3.3. brl. mind

B. Fit subs, for conversationalist

B.1. What sujects to avoid/select?
B.2. Avoid unpl’nt subs.
B.2.1. sickness
B.2.2. death
B.2.3. Avoid talk’g about self

C. Qualities of a good conversationalist

C.1. What to say & how to say it
C.2. ment’y quick & witty
C.3. pleasant & unhurting
C.4. avoid mannerisms.

Key Abbreviations

1. Conversation – Conv’n
2. Touchale – Tch’ble
3. Required – Req’d
4. Interesting – Interest’g
5. Fellowship – F’ship
6. Charming – Charm’g
7. Brilliant – Brl.
8. Unpleasant – Unpl’nt
9. Talking – Talk’g
10. Mentally – Ment’y

SUMMARY

Conversation is the easiest and the most effective tool compared to other arts.
To have such attractive quality, you need to pick a subject that interests your
listeners more than you. Talk to your friends on topics that can indulge your
friends in the conversation for a longer period of time. Being a good
conversationalist, you have to be quick and witty. You should have a pleasant
and un-hurting quality. Mannerism should be avoided.
Q3.

1. A good business letter is one that gets results. The best way to
get results is to develop a letter that, in its appearance, style and
content, conveys information efficiently. To perform this function, a
business letter should be concise, clear and courteous.

2. The business letter must be concise: don’t waste words. Little

introduction or preliminary chat is necessary. Get to the point,
make the point, and leave it. It is safe to assume that your letter is
being read by a very busy person with all kinds of papers to deal
with. Re-read and revise your message until the words and
sentences you have used are precise. This takes time, but is a
necessary part of a good business letter. A short business letter
that makes its point quickly has much more impact on a reader
than a long-winded, rambling exercise in creative writing. This
does not mean that there is no place for style and even, on
occasion, humour in the business letter. While it conveys a
message in its contents, the letter also provides the reader with an
impression of you, its author: the medium is part of the message.

3. The business letter must be clear. You should have a very firm
idea of what you want to say, and you should let the reader know
it. Use the structure of the letter—the paragraphs, topic sentences,
introduction and conclusion—to guide the reader point by point
from your thesis, through your reasoning, to your conclusion.
Paragraph often, to break up the page and to lend an air of
organisation to the letter. Use an accepted business-letter format.
Re-read what you have written from the point of view of someone
who is seeing it for the first time, and be sure that all explanations
are adequate, all information provided (including reference
numbers, dates, and other identification). A clear message, clearly
delivered, is the essence of business communication.
 4. The business letter must be courteous. Sarcasm and insults are
ineffective and can often work against you. If you are sure you are
right, point that out as politely as possible, explain why you are
right, and outline what the reader is expected to do about it.
Another form of courtesy is taking care in your writing and typing of
the business letter. Grammatical and spelling errors (even if you
call them typing errors) tell a reader that you don’t think enough of
him or can lower the reader’s opinion of your personality faster
than anything you say, no matter how idiotic. There are excuses
for ignorance; there are no excuses for sloppiness.

5. The business letter is your custom-made representative. It speaks

for you and is a permanent record of your message. It can pay big
dividends on the time you invest in giving it a concise message, a
clear structure, and a courteous tone.

NOTE MAKING

Title: Writing a Business Letter

1. Features of a gd. busns letter

1.1 conveys info efficiently to get results

1.2 is concise

1.3 is clear

1.4 is courteous

2. How to write a gd. busns. letter

2.1 Making letter concise

2.1.1 Intro shd be brief

 2.1.2 make your pt in precise words and sent’s

2.1.3 short letr more effective

2.1.4 style is imp.—may ocasnly have hum’r

2.2 Achieving clarity

2.2.1 Have a clear idea of what you wish to say

2.2.2 structr the letter—intro & conclsn.

2.2.3 use accepted format; para, topic, sent’s

2.2.4 check facts, expl’ns, refs.

2.3 Being courteous

2.3.1 Expln. your pt. politely—avoid sarcasm/insults.

2.3.2 careful wrtg & typg.

2.3.3 gram. & spel’g errors to be avoided

3. Importance of busns. letr

3.1 a representative

3.2 permanent rec. message

Words Abbreviation

1. business busns

2. ocasnly
occasionally
 3. structure structr

4. important Imp.

5. point pt

6. spelling Spel’g

SUMMARY

A good business letter is one that lends you positive and quality results. To
get such results, a business letter should be effective in appearance, style
and content. Apart from this a letter should be concise, clear and
courteous. The business letter should be to the point as the message can
be clear to the reader with an impression of you. The structure of the letter
should have topic sentence, introduction, and paragraphs to conclusion.
Reread the points you have written to avoid sarcasm and insults that can
work against your motive. Furthermore grammar and spelling errors need
to be avoided.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q1.
1. Good decoration reflects the personality of the people who live in the home. It
should, first of all, be distinctive, just as each person is distinctive. A home should
have unity not only within each room but also throughout the house. Rooms
should, to some degree, harmonize with each other. The colour and styling of
each room, particularly, should fit into the colour and styling of the rooms which
run out of it.

2. Attractive home furnishings set the stage for pleasant living. If they are an
expression of yourself, you will have a feeling of satisfaction every time you
enter your home, and friends will share your enjoyment.
3. However, furnishings and surroundings expressive of just the right note of
restfulness, gay informality, or elegant simplicity are not often assembled by
accident. Even enthusiasm alone is not enough. For most home decorators, it
takes pouring over plans, trying colour schemes, finding ingenious ways to
make the best of what you have, and shopping around to search out just the
right purchases at prices you can afford to pay. But there is keen pleasure in
striving for the perfect result, and great satisfaction in achieving it.

4. A successful house and successful rooms will depend upon the proper
relationship of each element in it to the others and to the whole. Therefore, in
selecting each piece it is well to consider the background, the usage, the
draperies, the floor covering, the upholstering materials, the woods, shapes,
colour scheme, and the “feeling” you prefer for the room.

5. Work and plan to enjoy your house. Limit the expenditures of time, effort and
money to the extent of your abilities, so that just running the house doesn’t
dominate your life. Elegance and delicate things may be a drain you can afford
only in a limited way. If you can’t afford outside help, select a house and
furnishings that require less care. Plan your activities so that tumult and upset
are limited to a few rooms—an activity room or a bedroom, or a corner of the
dining room.

6. You’ll get more pleasure out of a house if you have a hobby connected with it—
collecting glass or antiques, gardening or indoor flower growing ceramics, art,
cooking, decorating, flower arrangements, etc. And you’ll get more satisfaction
and a great deal of help from studying household activities.

7. You can select a pleasing combination of colours from a wallpaper, a fabric, an

oriental mg, a flower or scene, or even a picture in a magazine. If you don’t
already have the furniture or mgs, it is a good idea to make up a colour
scheme in this way. Let one colour predominate. Limit a colour scheme to two
or three colours, with white or gray tones.