# Note-Taking

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Note-Taking
by S. S. SEWARD, Jr.
NOTE-TAKING
by
S. S. SEWARD, JR.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH IN LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
ALLYN AND BACON
Boston and Chicago
COPYRIGHT, 1910, BY BY S. S. SEWARD, JR.
pdm
Norwoob Pess J. S. Cushing Co.—Berwick & Smith Co. Norwood, Mass., U.S.A.
INTRODUCTION
This hook is written from personal knowledge of the insufficient, jumbled, and often misleading material with which the average student’s note-books are filled; from conviction that improved standards in note-taking will increase measurably the effectiveness of a student’s work; and from some experience in training students to better habits in the actual process of taking notes. For several years the writer has conducted classes that met once a week through a semester, devoting their time to various aspects of the note-taker’s problem; and into this book have gone the results of that experience.
Those who attempt to train students in note-taking must make the opportunity to do so, either taking up the subject by itself or treating it in connection with some regular lecture course. In the former case the subject is appropriately taught by the English department, as a branch of expository composition; but in the latter case the task may be undertaken by any instructor who finds that good notes are necessary for successful work in his course. The purpose of this book, therefore, is twofold to make suggestions, especially in the exercises, for a practical course in the subject; and to provide, both in the text and in the illustrations, sufficient material for instruction in note-taking under the direction of some interested teacher.
The plan of the book explains itself, and so needs no comment here; but some hints as to methods of class conduct may be useful. The work of the instructor is greatly ​facilitated by having selected passages typewritten and distributed to the class in mimeographed sheets. To correct carefully each set of notes collected from a large class is a laborious matter; but if typical papers, good and bad, are placed before the members, the qualities that go to make success or failure in notes can be brought out clearly, and with a minimum of labor. Typewritten passages in the hands of students are far more useful than the same passages written out by hand on the blackboard.
If the regular work of a course does not supply suitable material for note-taking, it can easily be supplemented; in fact, the opportunity thus given to draw on material not directly connected with regular work is itself a privilege. Every alert teacher finds abundance of topics of local interest, of large ethical significance, or of special importance politically and socially, by which he may stimulate the intellectual life of his students. He may use these topics for class talks or for assigned reports outside of class. If he prefers not to prepare original lectures, there are plenty of suitable addresses, articles, chapters, which he can use for reading aloud. For notes to be worked up outside of class there is admirable material in the current and bound numbers of such magazines as the Atlantic Monthly, or the North American Review, or in certain books from the library, a list of which may easily be prepared. No one book yields better results, as material for note-taking both in class and out, than does Bryce’s American Commonwealth, owing no less to the intrinsic interest of the subject-matter than to the care with which its organization is made clear.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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By Professor Edwin D. Shurter, of the University of Texas. ramo, cloth, 265 pages. Price, go cents.
THIS book treats chiefly of persuasive speaking, and the TH author lays stress on the fact that mental qualities, such as clearness, simplicity, vivacity, spontaneity, and sincerity, are of chief value in declamation. Although this principle is counted fundamental, the book has all the necessary rules and principles for the technique of public speaking, with exercises for perfecting the voice and for overcoming defects of speech. Gesture is treated in a very happy way, as the physical expression of earnestness. The chapters are:—
The Selections for Practice. The Selections for Practice include speeches from Lincoln, Roosevelt, Blaine, Grady, John Hay, Woodrow Wilson, Wendell Phillips, Henry Watterson, and many others.
A Drill Book in English
Compiled by George E. Gay, Superintendent of Schools, Haverhill, Mass, 12mo, cloth, 108 pages. Price, 45 cents.
THIS manual will appeal only to teachers who believe that is value in presenting to the pupils specimens of bad English for correction. It contains in brief form rules for spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and the most important principles of grammar and rhetoric. Abundant exercises for practice are given.
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By Elisabeth Woodbridge, Ph.D. 12mo, cloth, 198 pages. Price, 80 cents.
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The chapters are:—
Its broader foundations are laid in Freytag's Technik des Dramas, but it follows Freytag's footsteps only where it is unavoidable to any one venturing on the ground at all. The discussion itself is an original treatment on lines adapted to give the student a real knowledge and a permanent appreciation of the structure of the drama.
Selections from Carlyle
Edited by H. W. Boynton. 12mo, cloth, 288 pages. Price, 75 cents.
THIS volume includes material for the elementary study of Carlyle in his earliest and most fruitful period. It contains the Essays on Burns, on History, on Boswell's Life of Johnson, and selections from Heroes and Hero-Worship (the Introduction; the Hero as Poet—Dante, Shakespeare; and the Hero as Man of Letters—Johnson, Rousseau, Burns).
​An Old English Grammar and Exercise Book
With Inflections, Syntax, Selections for Reading, and Glossary. By C. Alphonso Smith, Ph.D., Professor of English in the University of North Carolina, 12mo, cloth, 201 pages, Price, $1.00.
THIS book is designed to meet the needs of those teachers T who wish a brief and simplified text-book in Anglo-Saxon. It will enable the student to read any of the dialects of the Old English period, and will also serve as a foundation for the study of Modern English, of historical English grammar, and of the principles of English etymology. Emphasis is constantly put upon Modern English equivalents, the student being thus led at every step to compare the words, inflections, and syntax of Old English with those of Modern English.
The book begins with a brief History of the Language, followed by Sounds, Inflections, and Syntax. The exercises will furnish all the drill necessary to enable the student to retain the forms and constructions given in the various chapters.
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Principles of Success in Literature
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THE object of reprinting this admirable little treatise on literature is to make it available for classes in rhetoric and literary criticism. Scarcely any other work will be found so thoroughly sound in principles, and so suggestive and inspiring. The value of the present esent edition is greatly increased by the excellent introduction by Professor Scott, and by a full index.
Spencer's Philosophy of Style and Wright's Essay on Style
Edited by Professor Fred N. Scott, of the University of Michigan. 12mo, 92 pages. Price, 45 cents.
THE plan has been followed of providing a biographical and critical introduction, an index, and a few notes. In the belief that the Philosophy of Style can best be understood in connection with the Spencerian philosophy as a whole, the Introduction has been made largely bibliographical. There are Appendices giving a criticism of Spencer's theory of the effect of rhythmical structure from Gurney's Power of Sound, and an extract from Spencer's First Principles touching the evolution of literature.
This work is in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
This work may be in the public domain in countries and areas with longer native copyright terms that apply the rule of the shorter term to foreign works.
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