English 101

Live Session Week 1

Course description
This course explores basic study and notetaking skills which will assist
students with their studies. In addition, basic grammar will be reviewed
and usage issues will be discussed. Students will learn how to take
notes effectively, write summaries, and learn how to identify and
correct grammatical errors in their writing. There will be two
assignments, a midterm, and a final. There will be live sessions as well;
attendance is highly recommended.

NOTE: there will only be ONE assignment

Reading
Required Text:
• The Sealed Nectar by Safiur-Rahman (1995 edition) or you may use
the pdf that has been uploaded to the English Learning area (Modules
1-7)
• English Grammar for the Utterly Confused by Laurie Rosakis (Modules
8-30) B.
• Supplementary Texts: Study Guide (in English Learning area)
• Student Expectations: To read the books and, while reading, take
notes and/or complete the grammar exercises. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO
SEND ME YOUR NOTES. This was done in previous semesters.
Study Skills
Study Environment
– Quiet
– Suitable- desk, chair
– Organized
Time Management
– To Do List
– Suitable time- Qiyamul Layl, then study
– Enough sleep
– Avoid procrastination (Starting is half the battle)
Note cards
Why take notes?
• Success begins with being organized and ready to learn during a
lecture.
• You need to take down the important facts that might be asked on a
test or quiz.
• Note taking helps you be focused and on task in class.
• Often times teachers ask specific questions on an exam/quiz that may
have been discussed in class but where not found in the textbook.
Tips on note taking
• Begin by writing down the title of the lecture. If the instructor uses a white
board, overhead projector or PowerPoint slides, write down in outline form
what the instructor is emphasizing.
• Be brief in your note taking. Summarize your notes in your own words.
Remember: your goal is to understand what your teacher is saying and not try
to record everything word for word.
• Keep the main subject in mind. Listen and watch for key points. Give each
subject a new section in your notes. Watch for keywords used in class taken
from textbook headings, Powerpoint slides or whiteboard notes and write
them in your notes.
• Compare your notes with a classmate to make sure you both have the main
points of the lecture.
Notes as a study tool
• Taking notes will help you to extend your attention span. When reading or listening,
your mind may tend to wander off. You might be inclined to think about work, money,
or relationships. Taking notes helps keep you focused on your subject area and to the
task at hand
• Taking notes will help you to remember what you have heard or read. We learn more
effectively when we use multiple senses and multiple activities. When note-taking we
are using listening and writing skills and we are using our brain and muscles. Also, by
writing down notes, you are paraphrasing the lecture or reading material into your
own words and into a format that you are more likely to understand when you review
the notes. And as an adult learner you are more likely to remember what you have
heard or read if you take an active part in your learning. Rather than being a passive
listener or reader, note taking makes you an active learner.
• Note taking helps you to organize the ideas you are learning about. Good notes
should arrange topics into easy-to-review chunks of information that are clear and
well referenced. This is important if you’re using your notes to review for an
examination or for as a starting point in an assignment.
Taking notes
• When writing down notes, try to distinguish between facts, opinions, and
examples. It is important to write down relevant facts. Facts are “true”
statements that should be supported by research or evidence. It is also
important to write down important, relevant, educated opinions.
• When reading or listening, don’t write out notes word for word. Notes should
not be an exact copy of the lecture or reading. They should be a summary of
the main ideas and should be used to help jog your memory.
• Use shortcuts that you will understand and that will make the writing process
quicker. Abbreviations (e.g. instead of “for example”), symbols (= instead of
“equals”), and drawings can sometimes help you take notes more quickly.
• Use font, color and size to draw attention to important points.
 The ”SQ3R” approach
• Survey – flip through the chapter or book and note the layout, first and last chapters
or paragraphs, look at the headings used, familiarize yourself with the reading.
• Question – Ask questions about the way the reading is structured and think about the
questions you will need to keep in mind while reading. Think about whether or not
you think the book is relevant or if it’s current and if it suits the purpose of your study.
• Read – read actively but quickly, looking for the main points of the reading – don’t
take any notes – you might want to read through twice quickly.
• Recall – Write down the main points of the reading and any really important facts,
and opinions that help support the main points. Also record the bibliographic details.
• Review – repeat the first three steps over and make sure you haven’t missed
anything. At this point you might like to finalize your notes and re-read your notes or
write down how the material you’ve just covered relates to your question or task.
Organizing and storing your notes
As soon as it is possible, outside the lecture or away from the reading,
re-read your notes and rewrite them if necessary into a clearer format.
Here are some more tips on organizing and storing your notes. Write
your notes on large pieces of paper. A4 size is best and be sure to leave
a wide margin down one side for future notes or to add comments or
references to other notes or reading materials. Organize and file your
notes in well-labeled folders or in a similar system. You might like to file
your notes according to the week, topic, or assignment.
The Outlining Method
Dash or indented outlining is usually best except for some science
classes such as physics or math.
• The information which is most general begins at the left with each
more specific group of facts indented with spaces to the right.
• The relationships between the different parts is carried out through
indenting.
• No numbers, letters, or Roman numerals are needed.
Method (outlining)
Listening and then write in points in an organized pattern based on
space indention. Place major points farthest to the left. Indent each
more specific point to the right. Levels of importance will be indicated
by distance away from the major point. Indention can be as simple as
or as complex as labeling the indentations with Roman numerals or
decimals. Markings are not necessary as space relationships will
indicate the major/minor points.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
Well-organized system if done right. Outlining records content as well as
relationships. It also reduces editing and is easy to review by turning main
points into questions.

Disadvantages:
Requires more thought in class for accurate organization. This system may not
show relationships by sequence when needed. It doesn't lend to diversity of a
review attach for maximum learning and question application. This system
cannot be used if the lecture is too fast.
(http://www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/notetakingsystems.html)
Example
I. Title
1. Subject 1
a. Item 1
b. Item 2
c. Item 3
2. Subject 2
II. Title 2
…
Questions?