taking notes
Writing things down
Taking notes is the practice of writing down key information while listening, reading, or observing—capturing what seems important for later reference.
Students take notes in lectures, journalists take notes during interviews, and anyone might take notes in a meeting.
The phrase implies selective recording rather than transcription: I was taking notes the whole time but still missed the main point.
Writing briefly
- scribblingIllegible hasty writing
- shorthandAbbreviated writing system
- bullet pointsMarked summary elements
- outliningTracing outer contours
summarizing · paraphrasing · annotating · highlighting · underlining · mind mapping · sketching · doodling
Blank pages for jottings
- penInk-filled writing tool
- pencilGraphite writing instrument
- paperPressed pulp for writing
- laptopPortable hinged computer
tablet · stylus · app · Evernote · OneNote · index cards · binder · folder
Educational spoken presentation
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- classroomEducational instruction space
- tutorialInstructional step-by-step guide
- textbookAcademic subject manual
seminar · exam prep · review · research · scholarship · coursework · homework · reading
Continued holding or possession
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- focusConcentrated attention point
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
recall · memory · absorption · encoding · processing · learning · attention · active listening
Gathering for discussion
- minutesSixty-second intervals
- agendaFormal discussion list
- action itemsTasks requiring follow-up
- follow-upSubsequent action on something
briefing · conference · presentation · interview · debrief · brainstorming · whiteboard · stakeholder
Paying close notice
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- organizedSystematically arranged
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
thorough · disciplined · focused · observant · conscientious · systematic · efficient · legible
jotting
Writing briefly
- scribblingIllegible hasty writing
- shorthandAbbreviated writing system
- bullet pointsMarked summary elements
outlining · summarizing · paraphrasing · annotating · highlighting · underlining · mind mapping · sketching · doodling · transcribing
notebook
Blank pages for jottings
laptop · tablet · stylus · app · Evernote · OneNote · index cards · binder · folder · highlighter
lecture
Educational spoken presentation
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- classroomEducational instruction space
- tutorialInstructional step-by-step guide
textbook · seminar · exam prep · review · research · scholarship · coursework · homework · reading · discussion
retention
Continued holding or possession
- comprehensionMental understanding of meaning
- understandingMental comprehension of something
- focusConcentrated attention point
concentration · recall · memory · absorption · encoding · processing · learning · attention · active listening · synthesis
meeting
Gathering for discussion
- minutesSixty-second intervals
- agendaFormal discussion list
- action itemsTasks requiring follow-up
follow-up · briefing · conference · presentation · interview · debrief · brainstorming · whiteboard · stakeholder · project
attentive
Paying close notice
- diligentPersistently attentive to tasks
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- organizedSystematically arranged
methodical · thorough · disciplined · focused · observant · conscientious · systematic · efficient · legible · accurate
- precautionscaution, double-checking, verifying, safety checks, checking mirrors
- drudgerychores, housework, grunt work, busywork, drudgery
- work habitspunctuality, attendance, productivity, professionalism, reliability
taking notespassive listening
Hearing without deliberate focus
zoning out · tuning out · daydreaming · not paying attention · spacing out
taking notespresenting
Displaying to an audience
teaching · speaking · dictating · broadcasting · holding forth
take, note, notes, noted, noteworthy, notepad, notation, annotation, notary