The best notes should accurately reflect the original material, not repeat it. Implied in the act of taking notes in class is the ability to listen carefully to what is being said, and to focus on the purpose of the lecture. Jotting down brief phrases that capture the meaning of ideas and organizing them in a logical sequence is the basis of meaningful notetaking.

Implied in the art of taking notes on reading material is the ability to read critically, and to assess the focus of the article, chapter, or Web site. In order for notes to be helpful in reviewing material either for tests or for writing papers, they again, must reflect the basic ideas stated in the article, not repeat it. Brief comments, short phrases, and lists are the best methods to use in taking notes on written information.