Notetaking Graphic Organizer for Reading
June 05, 2026
Posted by STLCC in Reading Resources
Taking good notes is essential to success in college, but the truth is that many students don’t consistently take notes because they don’t have a system that works. Once you’ve reviewed our handout on Notetaking Strategies and thought about how you learn, then it’s time to think about your plan for reading required materials and taking useful notes.
This guide covers the steps for taking good notes while reading and provides a template as well.
Steps for Good Notes
- List the date, text and topic at the top.
- Identify headings, subheadings and other textual clues in required reading, such as textbooks, and look for details that explain what they mean. Annotate by highlighting or underlining.
- Annotate text to identify the main idea and then record it in your notes in your own words.
- Identify the supporting evidence or details while annotating the text.
- Indicate key words and important vocabulary. Look up any words you don’t know.
- Get creative with highlighters, colored pens, sticky notes and colored flags.
- Always note anything you don’t understand. Then look it up later or ask for clarification and fill that information in your notes.
- Include page numbers from your text where you can, in case you have questions later.
- Summarize chapters or lectures in your own words. This helps you engage with what you learn and helps you retain the knowledge.
- Leave enough white space to add information later. Some students even leave one side of the page blank so they have room for additional notes.
Notetaking Example
Date: January 26, 2026
Text: American Gov and Politics Today (chapter 3)
Topic: Federalism
Main or Implied Idea
Headings and subheadings provide clues.
Federalism and Its Alternatives: A Unitary System, A Confederal System and a Federal System
Supporting Details
Examples, evidence and sources
A federal system is different from a unitary or confederal system because the flow of power goes in both directions from the state to the central government.
Key Terms and Vocabulary
A Unitary System: “A centralized governmental system in which ultimate governmental authority rests in the hands of the national or central government” (page 52).
A Confederal System: “A system consisting of a league of independent states, in which the central government created by the league has only limited powers over the states” (page 53).
A Federal System: “The Federal System lies in between the unitary and confederal forms of government. In a Federal System, authority is divided, usually by a written constitution, between a central government and regional, or subdivisional governments” (page 53).
Organize Information With a Chart
Create charts to help organize information in your notes.
| Key Terms | Supporting Details | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Unitary System | Central government has ultimate authority. Most popular globally. |
Britain, Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Sweden |
| Confederal System | Opposite of a unitary system. Central government cannot make laws without members’ support. | U.S. during the Articles of Confederation European Union |
| Federal System | Somewhere between unitary and confederal. Power flows both ways. |
U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Mexico |
Summary
This chapter covers three different forms of government, including unitary, confederal and federal, and explains how they differ, why the United States adopted federalism and how federalism works in the United States in terms of the ways power is distributed.
Notetaking Template
Date: ____________________ Text (chapter): ____________________ Topic: ____________________
Main or Implied Idea
Headings and subheadings provide clues.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Supporting Details
Examples, evidence and sources
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Key Terms and Vocabulary
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Create a Chart
Create charts to help organize information in notes. Graph paper can help with this. Here’s an example, but you can label the columns any way you want.
Summary
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Want extra support with these resources?
You don’t have to figure it out on your own. STLCC tutors can help you use these writing,
reading and academic success tools to improve your skills and build confidence. Meet
one-on-one with a tutor to get personalized help that fits your goals.
