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Note-taking: a Practical Guide

Charting method

Dive into the world of effective note-taking strategies.
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The Charting method


What is the Charting method?


The Charting method (also known as grid notes) is an efficient note-taking technique that organises information into charts.

This method divides a document into columns and rows, summarising topics and ideas for easy comparison. It's kind of like creating a spreadsheet, where each column categorises information, and each row focuses on a specific topic.

This method works particularly well for subjects with clear, structured information or when comparing and contrasting data, since it helps with the visual organisation and retrieval of notes. It's ideal for comparing facts, statistics, or different concepts, and it's especially useful if you need to compare and synthesise information from numerous sources because it helps you to:

  • pull all your notes together in one place;
  • focus on finding just the information you need in the multiple sources;
  • identify patterns in the source information;
  • plan, structure and write.

Taking notes with the Charting method

Grid notes [YouTube] | Grid notes [Google Doc]

  1. Identify categories and topics: Review any supplementary materials or information to determine the main topic, subtopics, and information categories relevant to the thing you'll be taking notes on.
  2. Prepare your chart: Beforehand, set up a paper or digital spreadsheet with columns for each category and rows for subtopics. Include an extra column for additional notes.
  3. Fill in information: Add details to the appropriate columns based on the discussed subtopics.
  4. Categorise information: Arrange your notes into the chart, categorising data under the predetermined headings to facilitate easy reference and comparison.
  5. Review and update: Afterwards, review your chart to fill in any gaps or add extra notes, ensuring a comprehensive summary of the material.

Charting method example

MethodDescriptionApplicationExamplesReference
Topic 1
Topic 2
Topic 3

Advantages and disadvantages of the Charting method

Advantages

  • Note reduction: This method allows for the minimalistic recording of information, making it easy to compare across subtopics.
  • Structured organisation: Classifies information logically, significantly reducing revision and review time.
  • Quick information retrieval: Facilitates fast extraction of relevant details — ideal for later review or for making notes on a text.
  • Enhanced memorisation: Simplifies the study of facts and relationships between topics through its visual structure.
  • Dense content: Ideal for content-rich topics with fast-paced delivery.
  • Efficiency: Reduces time on note editing and review/revision.
  • Course overview: Can be used to offer a visual summary of an entire course of study on a single page.

Disadvantages

  • Requires preparation: Categories and subtopics must be determined beforehand, limiting flexibility.
  • Not suitable for all topics: Its text-based approach can be harder to work with for STEM subjects that require visual representations like graphs or formulas.
  • Challenging in fast-paced settings: Difficult to adapt during lectures or talks that introduce new topics unexpectedly or are unstructured.
  • Time-intensive setup: Organising information into charts can be more time-consuming than linear note-taking methods.

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