A1003/UNIT6/0

UNIT 6: READING SKILLS

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UNIT 6: NOTE MAKING/TAKING and

SUMMARISING SKILLS

General Objectives:
To read and be able to skim and scan texts, understand
texts, make /take notes, write summaries and response to texts.

Specific Objective:
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
1. write short notes
2. distinguish relevant from irrelevant details
3. select and extract important information required for a particular
purpose.
4. give their opinions about information presented in the text
5. relate texts to experience/ other text/ other information.

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6.1 Taking notes

Input
Almost everyone who studies has to take notes at some time. But have you
ever asked yourself the reason for taking notes? There are three main reasons:
1.

to have a record of the speakers or writers main ideas but not verbatim
(to take down or copy every word).

2.

to help ones memory when revising , e.g. before an examination.

3.

to make what the speaker or writer says a part of your own knowledge.

Task 1
Read through the list of methods for taking down notes:

notes taken while listening

notes taken while reading

notes taken from memory

shorthand

underlining etc.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the methods listed with your lecturer.
Which methods do you use and which methods would be most useful to you?

Input
Taking notes from a text
First of all, survey the text to acquaint yourself with the text. This will help you to
find out what the writers main points are. Do your survey quickly and then read again
making note of the main points and how they are related to one another. If it is a short
text you can do it mentally; or on the text by underlining; or directly into your notebook.

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If you are writing the main points in a notebook, put them down in way that
relates them to one another. It is better to put them in a form of a diagram as it is easier to
remember in diagram form. If you decided to use a list, then you can use one of the
listing systems given.
Listing and numbering
Arabic numerals

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.

Decimal system

1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, etc. Subdivisions

e.g. 2.1.1 , 2.1.2 etc.

Large roman numerals

I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, etc

Small roman numerals (usually in

brackets)

(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vii) etc.

Capital letters

A, B, C, D, E, F, etc.

Small letters ( often in brackets)

(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), etc

Except for the decimal system, these systems can be used in combination.
Compare:
I
1
II A
2 (a)
B
(b)
1
(i)
2
(ii)
3
(iii)
4
(iv)
III A
3 (a)
B
(b)
C
(c)
IV
4

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Task 2
Below are some headings from a lecture on Communication. There are three main
sections to the talk: Non-electronic methods, Electronic methods and the Use of
satellites. Use numbering to show how the topics fit into one another.
COMMUNICATION
NON-ELECTRONIC METHODS
Messengers
Human messengers
Birds as messengers pigeons
Signals
Signals that can be seen
Smoke signals
Lighthouses
Semaphore
Handwritings
Printed books
Newspapers
Signals that can be heard
Drums
Horns (motor-horns, fog-horns)
ELECTRONIC METHODS
Using wires
Telephones
Cables
Without using wires
Radio
Television
Radio-telephone
Handphones
Cinema
THE USE OF SATELLITES
Communication satellites
Weather satellites
Navigation satellites

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Task 3
Look at the passage below. Arrange it in note form, using headings, numbering etc.
Acquiring information
What are the ways in which students can acquire information? Firstly, he will acquire
information from his tutors, in three main ways by lecture, by tutorial and by handouts
which the tutor may give him. Secondly, he may acquire information from other experts
outside his college: principally by reading but also by listening to the radio, listening to
cassette recordings, or watching educational TV programs. Thirdly, he will get
information from his fellow students: perhaps in student lead seminars, perhaps just
informal conversation. Lastly, he can acquire information himself! By thinking about his
subjects and linking together what he has heard and seen, he may come up with new
ideas, which are his alone.
Input
Semantic markers
When you are listening to a lecture or reading a text you should look out for semantic
markers. They signal the meaning and structure of the lecture or text and how the ideas
are organized.
Function of semantic markers
1. The markers may be used for listing, such as:
Firstly
Thirdly
In the first place
My next point
Secondly
Last/Finally
2. They may show us the cause and effect relationship between one idea and
another:
So
because
Therefore
since
Thus (we see)
3. They indicate the speaker or writer is going to illustrate his ideas by giving
examples:
For instance
Lets take ..
For example
An example/ instance of this is

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4. They may introduce an idea which runs contrary of what has been said, or is
going to be said:
But
and yet
Nevertheless
Although
On the other hand
5. A very important kind of semantic marker is one which shows that speaker ot
writer is about to sum up his message, or part of it:
To summarize
It amount to this
In other words
If I can just sum up
What I have said is this
6. Semantic markers may be used to express a time relationship:
Then
previously
Next
while
After that
when
7. They may be used to indicate the relative importance of something. The following
are some examples:
I would like to emphasize that.
It is important to note that
I repeat that
The next point crucial to my argument
It is worth noting
8. They may be used to rephrase what has already been said, or to introduce a
definition:
In other words
To put it another way
Let me put it this way
That is to say
9. Also, to express a condition:
If
Unless

Assuming that

Task 4
Look at the passage A. Read it through, noting down or underlining all the semantic
markers.
Passage A
The need for money originates from the fact that different people in society produce
different things. This means that people depend on each other for goods and services.
Let takes take the case of a farmer who produces more food than he requires and a
carpenter who lives nearby sells tables and chairs he has made. It will be obvious that
unless some means of exchange is found, the farmer will not be able to get rid of his
surplus food and the carpenter will starve! Clearly, the simplest means of exchange
will be for them to use barter in other words, to exchange a certain amount of one
kind of goods ( lets say flour) for certain amount of another (tables or chairs, in this
case).

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6.2 Response to texts.
Input
Responding to text means understanding the text and then commenting by giving
your opinions and relating to your experience.
You are supposed to understand texts before you could response to them. In the previous
lessons, you have studied how to skim and scan, comprehend and summarize a text. Your
previous knowledge should enable you to response to the text below and complete the
activity.

Task 1
Read the following dialogue.
Journalist:

Everybody says the Internet is really exciting. But what exactly is the
Internet?

Mr. Morgan: Well it is a global network of computer networks, which allow users to
share all sorts of information and computer resources. The system
comprises networks interconnected all over the world, from universities
and large corporations to commercial online systems and non-profit
organization.
Journalist:

And how do you connect yourself up to the Internet? What do you need?

Mr. Morgan: Well, you just need a PC, a modem and a telephone line. Not a lot really.
Journalist:

And is it easy to install a modem?

Mr. Morgan: Oh yes. You just connect one cable of the modem to the communications
port of the computer and the other to the telephone line.
Journalist:

Right. And I imagine you need special software to get online.

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Mr. Morgan: Yes, thats right. You need communications software. This enables you to
transmit and receive data. To get your Internet identity you have to set up an
account with an Internet service provider a commercial company that
offers connection for an annual fee.
Journalist:

Do you have to pay a lot of money?

Mr. Morgan: Not really. With a standard Internet account you pay just a few pounds. Of
course you also have to pay your phone bill for the time connected.
Journalist:

Right. And what services are offered by the Internet?

Mr. Morgan: It offers services such as e-mail, file transfer, news groups, real-time chats
and information retrieval on the World Wide Web.
Journalist: The Web is the most important part of the Internet, isnt it? What is the Web?
Mr. Morgan: The Web is a huge collection of pages stored on computers all over the
world. Web pages contain all sorts of information in the form of text,
pictures, sounds and video. They also have links to other resources on the
net.
Journalist:

OK, right. Thanks very much, Mr. Morgan. Youve been very helpful.

Answer these questions.

1. What is the main idea of the dialogue?
______________________________________________________________________
__
2. How do you connect yourself up to the Internet? What do you need?
______________________________________________________________________
__
3. Why do you need to install a modem?
______________________________________________________________________
__
4. What are the services offered by the Internet?
_____________________________________________________________________

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Task 2
Group discussion.
In groups of four, discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet. Present your
findings orally in front of the class.
SELF-ASSESSMENT.
Reading skills.

Computers.
Computers are machines that help people find answers to the questions. There are
many kinds of computers. Some are very large; others are so small that we can put them
in our pockets. The two basic, main, kinds of computers are analog and digital.
Computers can do many things. They can solve, answer mathematic problems,
record airline reservations, help in space flights and direct nuclear weapons. They can
even speak and make translations from one language to another.
Analog computers measure physical quantities, such as the movement of
electricity or temperatures. This kind of computer, however, often does only one job. For
example, it guides, directs, planes. Analog computers are often used in factories to
control machines, to aim guns, and to help ships and planes stay on course (in the correct
direction).
Digital computers count numbers. These devices are very adaptable, so they are
more popular than analog computers. Digital computers are often programmed,
(instructed) to work alone, without people. This device can make choices in the middle of
a problem. For example, if in the middle of a problem, the computer sees a positive
number, it will continue working on the problem. If it sees a negative number, it will stop
working.
Every digital computer has five basic parts: the input, the memory, the control, the
logic, and the output. The input is the information we put in the computer, like the data,
numbers, and the instructions. The memory holds this information until it is needed for
the problem. The control device decides where and when to send the information. The
logic section solves the problem by using the instructions. The output section shows the
information. Sometimes it is on paper. Sometimes it is on a TV screen.
A computer needs to have a program in order to work. A computer program is the
group, set, of directions that a computer needs to solve a problem. Programmers are the
people who write these instructions in computer language, such as COBOL for business
or FORTRAN for math and science. These instructions include a code which tells the
computer what to do and an address which tells it where to find the necessary information
in its memory.

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We see computers almost everywhere around us. They are in businesses, stores,
airports, schools, and homes. The young children learn to use them in their classes. Some
people are unhappy about the computer revolution, but it is here to stay.

Answer the following questions.

1. The author explains the following words. What do they mean?
a. basic
b. solve
c. on course
d. data
e. programmer
2. What do the following pronouns refer to?
a. them ( paragraph 1 line 2 )
b. it ( paragraph 3 line 3 )
c. they ( paragraph 4 line 1 )
d. it ( paragraph 6 line 5 )
e. them ( paragraph 7 line 2 )
3. Highlight the examples in this passage.
4. Underline the main idea in each paragraph.
5. From the information in paragraph 5, label this diagram.
TITLE ________________________________________________________

6. Complete this outline for the passage on Computers.

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Computers = _________________________________________________
A. Analog
1. Measure _______________________________________________
a. Examples: _________________ and __________________
2. Can do only ______________________ job
3. Uses
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________
B. __________________________________________________________
1. Count _________________________________________________
2. Works without __________________________________________
3. __________________ basic parts
a. ________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________
c. ________________________________________________
d. ________________________________________________
e. ________________________________________________
C. Programs = _________________________________________________
1. Programmer = __________________________________________
2. Languages
a. ________________________________________________
b. ________________________________________________
3. Include _______________________ and _____________________

Read the passages and then complete the table and diagram that follows.

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Three different kinds of engines have been used to move people and goods from one
place to another. The first of these was the steam engine which was used for many years
to move ships and trains. Then the internal combustion engine was invented. This is still
used in many motor vehicles and in some aeroplanes. The diesel kind of internal
combustion engine is used to move some trains and most ships. The most recent kind of
engine is the jet engine. It is used in many aeroplanes. There are also a few small jet
boats, and one day there may be jet cars and jet trains.
No
1.
2.
3.
4.

Engine

Forms of Transport

Metal- joining methods : Metal-joining methods may be divided into soldering,

welding and riveting. Three types of soldering may be distinguished : soft soldering,
silver soldering and brazing. Welding methods are of two kinds: oxy-acetylene welding
and electric arc welding.
Metal-joining methods

Electric arc