Notetaking Symbols

Summary

This video covers essential symbols to use when taking notes in English, which can help you keep up with faster speakers. While most people write at a slower pace than they speak, symbols offer a shorthand solution to capture information quickly. Common symbols include the ampersand for 'and,' the dollar sign for 'money,' and arrows to indicate increase or decrease. By learning and using these symbols, you can save time and make your notes more concise and manageable, especially in settings like college lectures.

Takeaways

• 😀 Note-taking symbols help condense information and keep up with fast-paced speech.
• ✍️ The ampersand (&) or plus sign (+) can replace 'and,' 'plus,' or 'with' in sentences.
• 💵 The dollar sign ($) symbolizes money, value, or cost, and double dollar signs indicate high expense.
• 🔁 The equal sign (=) means 'is' or 'equals,' while the unequal sign (≠) represents 'is not' or 'does not equal.'
• 📈 The greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols are used for comparisons like 'more than' or 'less than.'
• 🌊 The wavy equal sign (≈) stands for 'approximately' or 'about.'
• 📅 The at symbol (@) represents 'at,' commonly used for times and locations.
• 🏷️ The number sign (#) signifies 'number' or 'pound,' and can also highlight the ranking of something.
• ➡️ Arrows (→) denote leads to, causes, or results in, helping illustrate relationships.
• ❓ The question mark (?) indicates uncertainty or doubt about information.

Q & A

Why is it important to use symbols when taking notes?

Using symbols allows you to write faster, helping you keep up with a speaker's pace. The average person speaks at 150 words per minute, but most people can only write 5-20 words per minute. Symbols provide shortcuts to record key information more efficiently.

What is the purpose of the ampersand (&) and plus (+) symbols in note-taking?

Both the ampersand (&) and plus (+) symbols are used to mean 'and' or 'with.' For example, if someone says 'cheeseburger and fries,' you can shorten it using 'cheeseburger + fries' or 'cheeseburger & fries' in your notes.

How can the dollar sign ($) be used in note-taking?

The dollar sign ($) can represent money, value, or cost. For instance, if the note mentions something expensive, you could write '$$' to indicate a high cost. It simplifies recording financial or cost-related information.

What does the equal sign (=) represent in note-taking?

The equal sign (=) represents 'is' or 'equals.' It can replace forms of the verb 'to be' like 'am,' 'is,' 'are,' or 'was.' For example, 'Knowledge is power' can be shortened to 'Knowledge = power.'

What is the use of the unequal sign (≠) in notes?

The unequal sign (≠) is used to mean 'is not' or 'does not equal.' For example, 'Being rich does not equal being happy' can be shortened to 'Rich ≠ happy.'

How do the greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols help in note-taking?

The greater than (>) symbol means 'more than' or 'greater than,' while the less than (<) symbol means 'fewer than' or 'less than.' For instance, 'Texas population is greater than Florida' can be written as 'TX pop > FL pop.'

What does the approximately symbol (≈) mean in notes?

The approximately symbol (≈) means something is close but not exact. For example, 'Jeff Bezos's net worth is about 180 billion dollars' can be written as 'Bezos ≈ $180B.'

How is the at symbol (@) used in note-taking?

In notes, the at symbol (@) means a specific time or place. For instance, 'I work at 7 a.m.' can be written as 'Work @ 7 a.m.' It's different from its social media use, where it refers to tagging users.

What does the arrow (→) symbolize in note-taking?

The right-pointing arrow (→) means 'leads to' or 'causes.' For example, 'Smoking can cause lung cancer' can be shortened to 'Smoking → lung cancer.'

What is the function of the asterisk (*) in note-taking?

The asterisk (*) is used to highlight important or special information. It emphasizes something that needs attention, like in a to-do list: '* Get milk.'

Outlines

00:00

📝 Why Note-Taking Symbols Matter

This section discusses the importance of using symbols for note-taking, especially in situations where you need to capture information quickly, like in a classroom setting. It explains that most people cannot write as fast as they can speak, so symbols are necessary to keep up with spoken information without missing key details. The section introduces the video’s focus on common symbols that can help in shortening phrases, allowing for more efficient note-taking.

05:01

➕ Using Ampersand, Dollar, and Equals Signs

This part introduces specific symbols for note-taking, such as the ampersand (&) or plus sign (+) to represent 'and' or 'with,' and the dollar sign ($) to indicate money or value. The equals sign (=) is explained as shorthand for 'is,' while the not-equal sign (≠) denotes inequality. Examples are provided to show how these symbols can replace words and phrases in notes, making it easier to quickly capture ideas.

10:02

🔢 Using Math Symbols for Comparison

In this section, the greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols are discussed. These symbols are useful for expressing comparisons, such as 'more than' or 'less than,' and their applications are demonstrated through examples involving population and net worth. Tips are given on how to remember which symbol represents greater versus lesser, and examples highlight how to condense sentences into symbols efficiently.

📍 Approximation and Location Symbols

This segment covers the approximate (≈) symbol, which can indicate something that is close but not exact. The '@' symbol is also introduced as a way to denote time or location, such as a specific time of day. Differences between how this symbol is used on social media versus in note-taking are clarified, with practical examples for each use case.

🔢 Number, Pound, and Arrow Symbols

Here, the number (#) or pound sign is discussed as a way to signify numbers or ranking, as well as its use for weight in some contexts. The arrow symbol (→) is introduced as shorthand for ‘leads to’ or ‘causes.’ Example scenarios include how these symbols can make note-taking more concise, particularly in discussing causes and effects.

❓ Question Marks and Arrows for Trend Indication

The question mark (?) is explained as a symbol to represent uncertainty or possibility in note-taking, like when the information is not definite. Additionally, up (↑) and down (↓) arrows are shown as indicators for increasing or decreasing trends, such as changes in market value. Examples illustrate how multiple arrows can represent rapid changes.

〰 Ditto and Repetition Marks

The ditto (”) mark is discussed as a useful tool for indicating repetition or similarity, saving time by avoiding redundant writing. An example with population figures demonstrates how ditto marks can be used for quickly noting when the same information applies to multiple subjects.

🌟 Highlighting with Asterisks and Stars

The section introduces asterisks (*) or stars as symbols to emphasize importance, making them useful for marking tasks or items that require extra attention. An example is given of marking items on a to-do list to ensure that the most crucial tasks are easily noticeable.

⚖️ Using 'Therefore' Symbols for Conclusions

This section covers symbols for expressing conclusions or results, such as the therefore (∴) symbol or a double arrow (⇒). It explains how these symbols can condense logical connections or cause-and-effect relationships, making note-taking more efficient and meaningful.

Keywords

💡Note-taking symbols

Note-taking symbols refer to common shorthand notations used to summarize information quickly when writing notes. In the video, symbols like the ampersand (&) for 'and', or the dollar sign ($) for 'money' are highlighted to help students keep up with lectures or conversations by reducing the amount of writing required.

💡Ampersand (&)

The ampersand symbol (&) represents the word 'and' or 'plus' in note-taking. It is introduced in the video as a way to shorten sentences, such as turning 'cheeseburger and fries' into 'cheeseburger & fries', making it a valuable time-saving tool.

💡Dollar sign ($)

The dollar sign ($) is commonly used to represent money, cost, or value. In the video, it is shown as a symbol for 'expensive' or 'cost-related' items, such as writing 'California is expensive living' as 'California $$ living.'

💡Equal sign (=)

The equal sign (=) is a versatile symbol used in note-taking to represent 'is,' 'are,' or 'equals.' It simplifies writing by replacing these words, for example, 'knowledge equals power' can be written as 'knowledge = power.'

💡Greater than (>) and Less than (<)

The greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols are mathematical notations used in note-taking to compare values or quantities. The video shows how to use these symbols to summarize comparisons, such as 'Texas population > Florida' to mean that Texas has a larger population than Florida.

💡Approximately (~)

The approximately symbol (~), resembling a wavy equal sign, is used to indicate that a value is not exact but close. In the video, it is used in contexts like 'Bezos ~ 180 billion dollars' to show that the exact number is around 180 billion but may not be precise.

💡At symbol (@)

The at symbol (@), typically seen in email addresses, is repurposed in note-taking to mean 'at' a location or time. The video gives examples such as 'work @ 7am,' using it to refer to a specific time or place in shorthand.

💡Arrow (→)

The arrow symbol (→) is used in note-taking to indicate causation or direction, meaning 'leads to' or 'causes.' For instance, 'smoking → lung cancer' is a way to summarize that smoking causes lung cancer, as demonstrated in the video.

💡Asterisk (*)

The asterisk (*) is a symbol that denotes something important or special. In the video, it's suggested as a way to highlight crucial points in notes, such as putting an asterisk next to 'get milk' in a to-do list to indicate its importance.

💡Therefore (∴)

The therefore symbol (∴) is a shorthand notation for 'therefore' or 'so.' It is used to show conclusions or logical outcomes. The video shows how to use it, for example, replacing 'I’m tired so I will drink coffee' with 'tired ∴ coffee.'

Highlights

The average American speaks at a rate of 150 words per minute but writes only 5-20 words per minute.

Taking notes with common symbols helps bridge the gap between the speed of speaking and writing.

The ampersand (&) and plus (+) symbols can replace the word 'and' or 'with' to shorten sentences.

The dollar sign ($) represents money, value, or cost, and multiple dollar signs ($$) indicate high expense.

The equal sign (=) can represent 'is,' 'are,' or 'equals,' while the unequal sign (≠) represents 'is not' or 'does not equal.'

The greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols represent 'more than' and 'less than' in shorthand.

The approximate sign (≈) indicates 'about' or 'close to' but not exact values.

The at symbol (@) can be used to indicate a specific time or location in note-taking.

The pound sign (#) represents numbers or weight in note-taking, not hashtags as in social media.

An arrow (→) represents 'leads to' or 'causes,' useful for showing cause and effect.

The question mark (?) can be used to represent uncertainty or possibility in notes.

Up arrows (↑) and down arrows (↓) represent increasing or decreasing trends, respectively.

Quotation marks or ditto marks (" ") can be used to repeat previously mentioned information.

The asterisk (*) can highlight important or special information in notes.

The 'therefore' symbol (∴) or double arrow (⇒) represents a conclusion or consequence in shorthand.

Transcripts

hello friends in this video we're going

to look at some common symbols

used for taking notes in english but why

well consider the fact that the average

american speaks

at a rate of about 150 words per minute

however the average american writes

at a speed of about 5 to 20 words per

minute

so if you can only write down 5 to 20

words per minute

that means you're missing about 130

words per minute that somebody's saying

and there's probably a lot of

information in those words

so if you're sitting in a college class

for example and you need to take notes

on what the teacher is teaching about

you're not going to be able to keep up

if you're just writing every word the

teacher is saying

so it's helpful to find some shortcuts

so that you can keep up

with listening to the teacher while also

writing down the important information

that the teacher is

saying so in this video we're going to

go through some

common symbols used to write down

some common information and this is one

shortcut that you can use

when you're taking notes so the first

symbol here

is the ampersand or the plus sign

either of these symbols mean and plus

or with for example

if somebody says i want a cheeseburger

and french fries

we could use either of these symbols to

help shorten the sentence

to be something like this cheeseburger

and fries

related to this plus sign here some

people will also write

a symbol like this so it's just a

shortened form of the plus

so you can do it without picking up your

hand off of the paper and this means an

the next one is a universally known sign

that's the dollar sign

so we can use the dollar sign to mean

money

value or cost so for example

if someone says california is an

expensive place to live and you need to

write that down

you can use the dollar sign to talk

about

the expense and how expensive it is so

your notes might look something like

this california

is expensive living and here

we can use like two dollar signs to talk

about you know

really expensive or more expensive

the equal sign can mean is or equals

basically it can mean

am is are was or were any of the be

verbs

or equals so when we're showing that

things are the same for example

if i say knowledge is power and i wanted

to write that down in my notes

then i could write it something like

this knowledge equals

power so knowledge is power

next to this is the opposite which is

the unequal sign

so this can mean is not or does not

equal

for example being rich does not equal

being happy

so we can use this symbol to take notes

on this and shorten it down to something

like this

so we can use this dollar sign for being

rich

and we can use the unequal sign for does

not equal

and the little smiley face for being

happy something like this

but it shows that the two things don't

equal each other or are not the same

the next symbol here is the greater than

symbol it's a math symbol

so this can mean more than greater than

or bigger than

for example if somebody says the

population of texas

is more than the population of florida

we can shorten this a lot

by using this symbol so we could write

something like this

in our notes so texas population

greater than florida

the opposite of this is the less than

symbol so less than

fewer than or smaller than it could mean

any of these things in your notes

for example if someone says mark

zuckerberg's net worth is less than jeff

bezos's

we could shorten that in our notes to be

something like this

zuck's money is less than bezos money

and if you're not sure who these people

are mark zuckerberg is the owner

of facebook or was the owner of facebook

i think it's a public company now and

jeff bezos is the founder of amazon

so jeff bezos is actually considered the

richest man in the world

now with the greater than

and less than symbol one way that you

can use to remember which one is which

is that the bigger number goes on the

open side

of the symbol and the smaller number

goes on the

pointy side of the symbol

the next symbol here is the

approximately or the about

symbol so it's like an equal sign but

it's a little bit wavy

so it means it's not exactly the same as

but it's close

for example if we say jeff bezos's net

worth is about 180 billion dollars

we can shorten this

to something like this so bezos

about 180 billion dollars

the next symbol is the at symbol and it

looks like an a with a little

hook around it now this one gets used on

social media but

when we're taking notes it means

something different than it's used for

on social media

so for example if i say i work at seven

in the morning i could

shorten this if i'm writing a note to

myself to something like this

work at 7am so we use this a lot for

times

on social media it's used for i think

talking to somebody

if you're naming them but here it just

means at so we call it the add symbol

and you can draw it just by doing a

little a and then doing

a circle around it like that

the next one is the number sign or the

pound sign

and this actually we can use to talk

about numbers

or we could use it to talk about weight

for example if we say heart disease is

the leading cause of death in the united

states

if we're taking notes on this

information we could shorten it to

something like this

heart disease number one killer in the

u.s

so we're using this number sign or pound

sign

to talk about the leading cause or the

number one

cause of death now on social media again

this gets used for something different

so if you're used to using it for like a

hashtag

um that's not what it's meaning here

it's meaning number or pound

and this actually comes from the

abbreviation for pound

which is lb which comes from latin and

when people would write this down they

would put a line over it and so

eventually we got this symbol here

so people used to call it the pound sign

but we also use it for numbers the next

symbol here is just the arrow

pointing to the right and so we can use

this for

leads to or causes

for example if we say smoking can cause

lung cancer then we could

shorten this in our notes to something

like this

smoking arrow lung cancer so leads to or

causes

lung cancer

if you're not sure about some

information if you have a question or

you're uncertain or if something's

possible

then we can use the question mark so

if somebody says it is possible that

cell phones cause cancer

then we could do something like this in

our notes cell phones

cause cancer question mark meaning it's

possible or we're not exactly sure about

that

if numbers are increasing or going up we

can just use the

up arrow like this for example

if we say home values are increasing we

could write that down

as house money increasing so

here we're using for values we're using

the dollar sign

home house we could use either one of

these and then

our increasing we're just using the

little arrow there

now if if it's going up a lot like if

something is rapidly increasing or

increasing a lot

we could use two arrows next to each

other

to show that it's rapidly increasing or

increasing dramatically

if something's going down we use the

down arrow

for example the number of homes on the

market has been decreasing

so when we're talking about the number

of homes we already looked at the symbol

for that

on the market decreasing so we could use

a couple of symbols here

so number of houses going down

decreasing

the next one is the quotation mark we

call these uh the ditto mark

or we use it to mean ditto and ditto is

just when you're repeating some

information or saying the same thing

so ditto just means same as above or

same as before for example

if you say go to starbucks or something

and you say i'll have a black coffee and

the person with you wants the same thing

they can just say ditto

instead of saying i'll have a black

coffee oh i'll have a black coffee too

the second person can just say ditto so

you're just repeating what was said

before

this is very very helpful for your notes

if

there's some part of the information

that's just repeated you can just use

these

quotation marks for example if we say

minnesota has a population of over 5.5

million people

so do wisconsin and colorado we can

shorten this

a lot this is two sentences and we can

make it very short in our notes

so minnesota pop is greater than

5.5 mil and then we can say ditto

wisconsin and colorado so we're using a

few of our

symbols here that we've looked at

already

and then we're just using the

abbreviations for the states which are

common abbreviations and we'll look at

these in another

lesson so you can see how much we can

shorten what is said into

our notes

the next symbols here are the asterisk

or just the star

and these can mean if something is

important or special

so really these are used to kind of like

highlight information that is really

important that you need to remember

or that you want to focus on

for example if you're making a to-do

list for yourself

and you really don't want to forget to

buy milk because you need milk you need

it very very badly

so in your notes or in your to-do list

you could do something like this

get milk and again we could use a couple

of these

symbols if it's really really important

then the last one here is the

therefore symbol so we can use these

three dots or

the double lined arrow to mean therefore

and therefore is just a fancy word for

saying so

for example if i want to say i'm tired

so i will drink coffee then i could

shorten this to

tired therefore coffee just like that

and so

learning these symbols practicing with

them uh

and using them when you're taking notes

can save you a lot of time and help you

to keep up with

whoever you're listening to whether it's

your teacher

or a recording or a video lesson

online they can save you a lot of time

the important thing

is to use the symbols that work

the best for you and ones that you will

be able to

understand when you check your notes a

day later or a week later or a month

later

so that's really the important thing is

that you're using something that makes

sense

to you but these are some common ones

that most people use when they're taking

notes

in college so that's it for this lesson

thanks for watching