took notes
Jotted things down
Took notes is the past tense of take notes, meaning to write down information while listening or reading.
Students take notes during lectures; journalists take notes during interviews.
The phrase implies selective recording of key points rather than verbatim transcription: I took notes during the meeting so I could brief the team later.
Brief, hasty recording
- scribbleWrite without care
- transcribeConvert to written form
- write downRecord in text
- jottingWriting briefly
shorthand · dictation · minutes · documentation · logbook · notepad · chronicle · inscription
Marked summary elements
- headingsLabels for text sections
- outlineSummary of key elements
- summaryCondensed account of essentials
- highlightsNotable moments emphasized
key points · index · tabs · binders · folders · dividers · labels · checklist
Attending to sound
- focusConcentrated attention point
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- engagedPledged to marry
- alertWarning or watchfulness
observant · mindful · absorbed · diligent · meticulous · intent · perceptive · active listening
Educational spoken presentation
- textbookAcademic subject manual
- study sessionScheduled time for learning
- seminarGroup discussion for learning
- tutorialInstructional step-by-step guide
coursework · readings · revision · summarize · outline · highlighter · underlining · scholarly
jot
Brief, hasty recording
- scribbleWrite without care
- transcribeConvert to written form
- write downRecord in text
jotting · shorthand · dictation · minutes · documentation · logbook · notepad · chronicle · inscription · transcription
bullet points
Marked summary elements
- headingsLabels for text sections
- outlineSummary of key elements
- summaryCondensed account of essentials
highlights · key points · index · tabs · binders · folders · dividers · labels · checklist · categorizing
listening
Attending to sound
- focusConcentrated attention point
- concentrationSustained single-minded attention
- engagedPledged to marry
alert · observant · mindful · absorbed · diligent · meticulous · intent · perceptive · active listening · paying attention
lecture
Educational spoken presentation
- textbookAcademic subject manual
- study sessionScheduled time for learning
- seminarGroup discussion for learning
tutorial · coursework · readings · revision · summarize · outline · highlighter · underlining · scholarly · classroom