If you have a method of taking notes from your books and lectures that works, stick with it.  If you're interested in some new methods, read on ... 

When taking notes for either a primary or a secondary source, it is helpful to make two "maps." One will detail the story or argument from start to finish, and thus provide a useful synopsis. This will help you remember the big picture.  For an example, click here or select "map for a timeline" in the nav bar to your left. 

The other map will show the issues, influences and characters at play throughout and their significance to events or ideas.  It creates an index of the relevant angles of analysis, making note of some of the author's specific examples. Note also any of your own criticisms of the categories. For an example, click here or select "map for angles of analysis" in the nav bar to your left. 

As you work, always remember to jot down page numbers next to thoughts, quotations, and telling statistics.  This will help you ground your class comments in specific examples and also provide a handy reference when you review your notes for tests and papers.