QuickRef 13

Listening to lectures

Language of the lecture and lecture hints

When you are listening to a lecture, it is impossible to write down all the information presented. You therefore have to make judgments about what information is important and whether to note it down.

Think about the following points in regard to your note-taking:

Your position in the lecture theatre

Don't be frightened of the lecturer. Sit close to the front, and look interested. You will hear and see better, and are more likely to find yourself in the company of committed students.

The lecturer's use of voice/body language

The lecturer's use of repetition, a change of tone, meaningful pausing or an upraised finger, etc., may indicate important content. Listen and watch for these signals.

Lecture language

A lecture is not a dictation exercise. You need to listen and make your own judgements about what you should write down. The following hints however, may help you.

Argument structure

Words such as first, second, also, furthermore, moreover, therefore and finally indicate stages in the lecturer's argument. But and however indicate a qualification, because a reason, and on the one hand and on the other hand indicate a contrast.

"Signalling" words (used to indicate parts of the lecture)

• Introducing the lecture: "I want to start by..."
• Introduction of a main point: "The next point is crucial..."
• Rephrasing the main point: "The point I am making..."
• Introducing an example: "Take the case of..."
• Moving on to another main point: "I'd like to move on and look at..."
• A digression: "That reminds me of..."
• Summing up main points: "To recapitulate..."

Abbreviations in note-taking

Reducing the language - common abbreviations

• Arrows
• Mathematical symbols
• Common abbreviations

Arrows

Symbol	Meaning
	an increase
	a decrease
	causes/leads to/results in
	is caused by/is the result of
	is related to

Mathematical symbols

Symbol	Meaning
	therefore
	because
	is the same as
	is not the same as
	is greater than
	is less than
%	percent

Common abbreviations

Symbol	Meaning
	and
	right
	left
	with
	which
eg	for example
re	concerning
ca	about
A.M.	morning
P.M.	afternoon
etc.	and so on
N.B.	note well
	18th Century
b/f	before
cf	compared
viz	namely
q.v.	refer to, see (often used as a cross reference)
i.e.	that is
pa	per annum, each year
et al.	and others

Emphasise/shorten suffixes

Underline Capitalize Highlight		to show what is important
n		tion/sion
g		ing

Other useful references

Burdess, N 1998, Handbook of student skills, 2nd edn, Prentice Hall, Sydney, NSW (Chapter 2 Lectures)

Clerehan, R 1994, The study skills handbook for tertiary students, Monash University, Caulfield East, Vic

(Chapter 2 Making the Most of Class Time)

Cooper, G 2003, The intelligent student's guide to learning at university, Common Ground, Altona, Vic.

(Chapter 3 Learning from Classwork)

Cottrell, S 1999, The study skills handbook, Palgrave, Basingstoke (pp. 126-127).

Language and Learning Online listening

Listening and notetaking in lectures, Academic skills, Deakin University

Listening, Language and Academic skills, La Trobe University