Sample Notes and Procedures/Expectations
My process for note-taking is as follows:
1. READ – I read the textbook.
2. RE-READ TEXTBOOK & TAKE NOTES IN YOUR OWN WORDS – Then I reread the textbook and take my notes in my own wording.
a. STRUCTURE OF NOTES: First, I structure my notes based on the sub-headers in
the textbook’s section. I write down the important themes from the sub-header and I
bold/highlight any words that the textbook bolds or italicize/highlight specific key
words.
EXAMPLE: Below is an example from Chapter 3, Section 1. There is a sub-header titled,
Wilmot Proviso Seeks to Limit Slavery. Here are the notes I took from that sub-section:
Wilmot Proviso Seeks to Limit Slavery
Since America’s founding, American political elites had avoided tackling the issue of slavery
and its expansion. America’s victory in the Mexican War of the late-1840s made avoidance no
longer possible. Congress had to decide whether to designate newly acquired lands from Mexico
as either free or slave territories. This decision would ultimately determine the political balance
of power between the North and South.
During the early stages of the Mexican War, Pennsylvania Congressman David Wilmot
understood the potential dilemma regarding slavery and its possible expansion as a result of this
war. He proposed a bill in the House of Representatives, which became known as the Wilmot
Proviso, making slavery illegal in any territory the United States annexes from Mexico.
Southerners were outraged and opposed the bill. Even though the Northern-controlled House
passed the bill, the Senate rejected it.
Below is the actual reading from the textbook so that you can compare my notes to what is
specifically in the reading.