LitMUSE » notes

Forum: Top 5

Dr. Lucas — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:18:34 +0000

The top five reasons for poor grades on forums:

Not posting enough; you need to post a minimum of twice per forum. Remember that doing the minimum will likely earn you the minimum grade, perhaps lower.
Starting a new thread on the same or similar topic. This shows me you’re not reading. If you start a new thread on a topic that already has a thread, you will receive fewer points.
Mechanical and grammatical errors. I have begun posting solutions to common errors on the Composition FAQ. Be sure to proofread.
Not having a point. Observations are good. Close readings and explications are good. However, be sure you give a reason for doing so. That is: state explicitly what you feel your observation makes obvious. Remember the thesis statement?
Not using MLA citation method. This is easy. Just do it. Remember, though, it’s not necessary to have a works cited entry for texts we have in common for class.

Folks, forum grades are still low. I’m about ready to give up on the forums in all classes and start assigning essays.

Literary Theory Notes

Dr. Lucas — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:17:26 +0000

The following links are my notes about some of the literary theory that we’re discussing this semester. They are offered as thoughts about our readings, not definitive interpretations of these challenging texts. I will likely be adding to this list all semester, but you might wish to subscribe to the Humanities Index RSS feed.

Notes

Dr. Lucas — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:20:23 +0000

Students must keep thorough notes, both from classroom lecture and individual reading. Even if you are absent, you are held responsible for obtaining missed notes. Notes should not only reflect good listening skills, but individual interest in every topic discussed in class. You are encouraged to individually research topics discussed in class. Although notes will not receive a grade, they should be diligently kept in all classes. You should always endeavor to improve note-taking skills.

Good Advice for Notetakers

Dr. Lucas — Tue, 13 Mar 2001 21:15:53 +0000

Go to Class

Even though you can get notes elsewhere, without hearing the lecture and participating in the discussion, you will probably not have the prior knowledge or cognitive framework necessary to assimilate the externally provided notes.

Take Many Notes

There is a significant relationship between note completion and achievement. Those not permitted to review notes will recall from 34 to 78% of any information they recorded, but only 5 to 34% of information they did not record.

Take Paraphrases or Summaries

Paraphrases serve a reconstructive function because they help you to construct factual information that was originally not noted. They also help with actually learning the material; when you put what you read or hear in your own words, you tend to assimilate it better than just copying verbatim.

Revise Notes Following the Class

To fill in the omissions or gaps in notes and then personally integrating lecture content. Active integration organizes ideas in memory and facilitates retrieval. Typing summaries and paraphrases of your class notes as soon as you can after the class will help you learn the content in your own way. Do not try to organize and process curing class; wait until you have time to link similar ideas in to a cohesive whole.

Reference

Modified from Kenneth A. Kewra “Acquiring Effective Notetaking Skills: An Alternative to Professional Note Taking.” Journal of Reading, January 1984.