What’s The Difference Between Note Taking and Note Making?
Sep 26, 2025
You’ve probably heard people say how important it is to make good notes. But when it comes to actually doing it, things can get a little confusing. Sometimes you might write down everything you hear or read. Other times, you might try to rework the information in your own way. Both sound like smart moves, right? But they aren’t the same thing. Before you choose how you want to study, it helps to understand the two ways you usually deal with notes.
What’s The Difference Between Note Taking and Note Making?
Note taking is when you quickly write down the important points during a lecture or while reading. You’re capturing information as it comes, without changing much or adding your own thoughts. It helps you record the basics so you don’t miss anything.
Note making happens after. You take what you wrote earlier and start working with it. You organise it, rewrite it in your own words, and connect it with what you already know. This step is all about understanding the topic better and making it stick.
Let's take a closer look at their differences below:
Note Taking vs Note Making
Aspect | Note Taking | Note Making |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | To quickly capture important points as they are being delivered. | To understand and organize information in your own words for deeper learning. |
When It Happens | Usually done during lectures, meetings, or while reading. | Usually done after going through the material or notes, as a way of revising or processing. |
Content Style | Focuses on writing down facts, figures, and points exactly as they are presented. | Focuses on explaining concepts, making connections, and adding examples or summaries. |
Level of Understanding | Can be done even with limited understanding, since it is mainly about recording. | Requires understanding of the material because you need to rewrite and reorganize it. |
Structure | Often linear, written in the same order as the speaker or text. | Can be organized in charts, diagrams, mind maps, or structured outlines. |
Personal Input | Minimal. Mostly a copy of what is said or written elsewhere. | High. Includes your thoughts, comparisons, and highlights of what is most important to you. |
Use of Language | Generally uses the same words or phrases as the source. | Uses your own words, simpler explanations, and sometimes examples that you can relate to. |
Revision Value | Good for recalling what was said or written, but may lack clarity later if not understood fully at the time. | More helpful for revision, since the content is in your own words and organized for quick recall. |
Examples | Writing down lecture notes word-for-word, jotting down minutes of a meeting, copying bullet points from a book. | Creating a summary sheet, drawing a mind map, rewriting notes into your own language with added examples. |
Examples of Note Taking Methods or Techniques
When you’re sitting in class or watching a lecture, note taking helps you capture the important stuff quickly so you don’t miss anything. Different methods work better for different people, so here are a few you can try:
The Outline Method: Perfect for organizing information in a structured way. You write main ideas first, followed by supporting points. It’s neat and easy to scan later.
The Cornell Method: You divide your page into three parts: notes on one side, cues or keywords on the other, and a summary at the bottom. It helps you review and test yourself later.
The Mapping Method: Great if you’re a visual thinker. You start with the main idea in the center and draw branches for related points. It looks like a mind map and helps you see connections between topics.
The Charting Method: If you’re dealing with a lot of facts or comparisons, this method works well. You create columns and fill them in as the lecture goes on.
Digital Note Taking: If you prefer typing or recording, tools like AudioNotes help you take voice notes, organize them, and even convert them to text.
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Examples of Note Making Methods or Techniques
Note making is what you do after the class or reading session. This is when you take the rough notes and turn them into something meaningful that helps you revise and understand better. Here are a few ways to do it:
Summarizing: Read your notes or textbook and write the information in your own words. Focus on what’s important and leave out the extra fluff.
Mind Mapping: Just like in note taking, this method helps you organize your thoughts visually. It’s perfect for reviewing big topics before an exam.
Question-Answer Format: Turn your notes into questions and try answering them without looking. This technique helps you actively recall and remember better.
Flashcards: Break your notes into bite-sized pieces and put them on cards. It’s especially useful for definitions, formulas, or quick facts.
Topic Sheets: Pick one topic and put everything important about it on a single page. Use bullet points, short phrases, and diagrams to keep it sharp and to the point.
Related Read: Methods of Note Taking
Benefits of Note Taking
Here’s a closer look at the benefits of taking notes:
Helps you stay focused during lectures or meetings
Captures important points quickly so you don’t miss anything
Keeps your memory fresh by recording ideas in real time
Saves time during revision because you already have the main details
Related Read: Best Note Taking App for Android
Benefits of Note Making
Here’s a closer look at the benefits of note making:
Deepens your understanding by making you rephrase and organize what you’ve learned
Improves memory retention since you're processing the information actively
Helps with exam preparation through clear summaries and practice questions
Builds better learning habits by turning passive reading into active learning
Makes revision faster and smarter because the notes are structured in your own words
Related Read: Benefits of Note Taking in Detail
Similarities Between Note Taking and Note Making
Active Listening and Engagement
In both cases, you’re not just writing for the sake of it. You’re involved in the process. Whether you're jotting things down during a class or creating notes while revising, you need to pay attention to what's being said or read and stay mentally involved the entire time.
Organization of Information
Both note taking and note making help you organise information in a way that makes sense to you. You group similar ideas, highlight what’s important, and create a layout that’s easier to revisit when you’re revising. That structure can make even the toughest topics feel more manageable.
Enhanced Memory Retention
When you write things down, you tend to remember them better. That’s true for both taking notes in real time and making them later. The act of writing helps lock the information into your memory. It gives your brain another chance to process and retain what you’re learning.
Elevated Concentration and Focus
Doing either of these requires focus. You’re more likely to stay on track with your learning because your brain is actively working.
Critical Thinking
You’re constantly deciding what’s important, what needs more detail, and how to put it in your own words. This builds a habit of thinking clearly and making sense of the topic, instead of just copying what’s in front of you.
Closing Thoughts
We hope this blog helped you understand how both note taking and note making work. They may seem similar, but each one plays its own role in how you learn and remember things. Whether you're sitting in class or revising at home, knowing when to use which method can make your study time more useful. Try them out and see what works best for you.
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