I'd like to welcome Dr Norton to our series of lectures on study skills. And I must say, judging by the numbers of you in the audience out there, that is the most practical lecture we have had in the whole term. So rather than take up any more of your time, I'd like to introduce Dr Norton. Thank you. I'd like to begin by saying how pleased I am that so many of you have come to the first of our study skills sessions this term. Today I'll talk about how to take notes. Note-taking is quite an interesting topic to discuss. First I would ask, why do you take notes? I think you might consider two reasons. First, notes are an aid to memory. Obviously if you are reading for a long essay over a period of weeks, or for two or three essay simultaneously, then you must have some system of sorting and recalling the information you will need when you finally come to plan and write the essay. Second your notes provide the raw material on which your mind must work in relation to your set essay topic. And you will need certain types of information, such as facts, figures and direct quotations. They must be available quickly and accurately. When you take notes, the process of doing it helps you to summarise ideas and arguments, select points relevant to your purpose, and finally understand and interpret the original source.