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Proper way of taking notes

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Paper 3 Part B - Question-oriented answering techniques

To take notes effectively, it is important to know beforehand what you are listening for and why. You also need to be selective when you take notes.

You should only jot down what is necessary for the tasks. You can refer to the note headings or to the way the message is conveyed. For instance, the speaker sometimes repeats the important message so that you can write it down properly, or they will give you clear prompts to remind you to jot it down.

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Knowing well the situation and the task requirements is essential for effective note-taking and better understanding of the listening component.

Candidates who get poor results fail to understand that unwanted answers never score. Worse still, including irrelevant points may result in the deduction of marks. Don't forget, the Data File provides not just relevant points, but also irrelevant ones. You should read the instructions carefully and ask yourself the following questions:

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Who (you are writing to) - this can help you adopt an appropriate format and style

Why (you are writing) - this can help you form a good purpose statement

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