First: The Article

First, you will read a short article about an academic topic. It is important to
understand how the article is structured, because every article is structured
in the same way.
The article begins with a main idea. The main idea is clearly expressed in
the first paragraph of the reading. In our example question, the main idea is:
Rembrandt did not paint 'Portrait of a Woman in a White Bonnet.'
The main idea is followed by three paragraphs. Each paragraph explains one
point that supports the main idea. In the sample question, the points are:
1. The painting pairs a simple servants camp with a luxurious coat.
2. The light and shadows in the painting are inaccurate.
3. The portrait was painted on wood panels that were glued
together.
The reading also includes supporting details, but we'll talk about those
later.
Second: The Lecture
After you are done with the reading, you will listen to a short lecture on the
same topic. At the beginning of the lecture, you will hear the lecturer's main
idea. It will always be the direct opposite of the main idea of the
reading. In our example question, the main point of the lecture is:
Rembrandt did paint 'Portrait of a Woman in a White Bonnet.'
See? It is the complete opposite of the main idea from the reading!
After stating his main idea, the lecturer will describe three counterpoints that support his main idea. It is important to note that these counterpoints directly challenge the points made in the reading. Not only that,
but they challenge them in the same order. In our example question, the
counter-points are:
1. The luxurious fur collar was added later by another artist.
2. When the collar is removed, there are no errors in light and
shadow.
3. The wood panels were glued together at a later date.

These reasons are also called counter points.

How to Take Notes

Now that you know how the sources are structured, note-taking should be
easy. Do it just like this:

However, it is important to note that in addition to noting the points and

counter-points, you need to get some of the supporting details. In the
reading, these are mentioned in the same paragraph as each point, and in
the lecture they are mentioned at the same time as the counter-point. Here
are my notes from the example question (supporting details are in red):
Reading
Pairs servants cap
Point 1 +
with luxurious coat //
Counterpoint
R. would not make
1
such a mistake

Lecture
Fur collar added at a
later date // Done to
increase value of
painting

Point 2 +
Poor light & shadow // When collar is removed
Counterpoint R. would not make
no errors // original

such an error

Painted on panels
Point 3 +
glued together // R.
Counterpoint
never did this

version up to Rs
standards
Wood panel was
expanded later //
original painting on one
panel, just like R.

Paragraph One (Introduction)

The reading and the lecture are both about ________, which is _________.

The author of the reading believes that ______________________.

The lecturer casts doubt on the claims made in the article.

He/She thinks that _____________________.

Paragraph Two (Body)

First of all, the author claims that __________________.

He believes ______________________.

This point is challenged by the lecturer.

She says that ____________________.

Furthermore, she points out _____________________.

Paragraph Three (Body)

Secondly, the author states that ______________.

He argues ______________.

This argument is rebutted by the lecturer

She suggests _____________________.

She elaborates on this by mentioning that _______________.

Paragraph Four (Body)

Finally, the author mentions that _____________.

He is of the opinion that _____________

The lecturer, on the other hand, feels that _____________.

She puts forth the idea that _______________________.

Paragraph Five (Conclusion)

In conclusion, the lecture and the reading are both about

______________.

The professor effectively challenges the claims made in the article.

Your integrated essay should be about 250-300 words in length. The reading
and the lecture are about Portrait of an Elderly Woman in a White Bonnet,
which is a painting that may or may not be a work of Rembrandt. The author
of the reading believes that the painting was not done by the Dutch master.
The lecturer casts doubts on the claims made in the article. She thinks that
it was, in fact, painted by Rembrandt.
First of all, the author claims that the womans outfit is inconsistent, as
it pairs a servants cap with a luxurious coat and fur collar. She believes that
Rembrandt would not have made such a mistake, as he paid very careful
attention to detail. This point is challenged by the lecturer. She says that
the womans fur collar was added to the painting by another artist at a later
date. Furthermore, she points out that this was likely done to increase the
value of the painting.
Secondly, the author states that the depiction of light and shadow in
the portrait is poorly done. He argues that Rembrandt would not have made
the mistakes which are seen in this particular painting. The lecturer rebuts
this argument. She suggests that when the aforementioned fur collar is
removed, no mistakes with light and shadow remain. She elaborates on this
by mentioning that the original version of the painting is up to Rembrandts
usual standards.
Finally, the author mentions that the portrait was painted on a
series of panels which were glued together. He notes that while Rembrandt
often painted on wood panels, there is no evidence that he ever used panels
that were glued together in such a fashion. The lecturer disagree with this.
She states that the wood panel was expanded many years after the painting
was originally done. She puts forth the idea that this is evidence that the
painting was originally completed on just a single panel like other works by
Rembrandt.