The purpose of a person's note-taking greatly affects how they take and use their notes. Here are a few examples of how this works:
-
Studying for a Test: If a person is taking notes to study, they might write down key points, definitions, and important examples. They may also highlight or underline things that are most likely to appear on the test. After taking notes, they will review them to help remember the information.
-
Meeting Notes: If someone is in a meeting, they might focus on action items or decisions made. They will write down who is responsible for what tasks. Later, they will use these notes to follow up on their responsibilities or to remind others of what was discussed.
-
Journaling: If the purpose is personal reflection, a person might write freely without worrying about structure. They might express feelings and thoughts. Later, they can read back to understand their feelings better or see how they have changed over time.
-
Research for a Project: If someone is gathering information for a project, they will take detailed notes and organize the information in a way that makes sense for their work. They might categorize their notes by topic so they can easily find what they need later.
In summary, the reason for taking notes shapes how a person writes them and how they use them later. Different purposes lead to different styles and focuses in note-taking.