Note Making and Summarising for Class 12

When we listen to a speaker or come across any information, it is not possible to note down each and every word. In such scenario, Note Making becomes very handy and reliable. A good example is, listening to a sermon in the church and noting down some pertinent points. 

Note Making and Summarising

Tips:

It should be short

Main points only

Avoid complete sentences

Write the summary from your notes.

If you provide only summary without notes, you get ZERO mark.

For more information see textbook page: 5

NOTE MAKING

Must write the title. It should state what the majority of the passage talks about.

 

Minimum 4 abbreviations to be used in note making and make key to abbreviations after writing the notes and not after the summary. (maximum abbreviations :7)

 

Helping verbs ,articles ,pronouns and determiners could be omitted

                                                           

Write phrases not complete sentences

 

Do not use numbers as abbreviations :

 

SUMMARY

Do not exceed word limit given in the exam

Summary is made out of notes not the passage

Do not divide the summary in different paragraphs.

It should be attempted just after the note making

Do not start like this : ‘The passage talks about’

Do not use any abbreviations in summary

Write complete, grammatically correct sentences.

The Letter 'A' by Christy Brown

Self Measure in the Making of Brilliant Leaders by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Self Measure in the Making of Brilliant Leaders by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

                                                         Exercise A

1. What factors have made things better in modern times?

Ans:    The factors that have made things better in modern times are the social and organisational transformations affecting all aspects of our lives.

• Why does the writer refer to our society as a ‘dynamic paradigm?’

Ans:    The writer refers to our society as a ‘dynamic paradigm’ because in today’s society, both leaders and the followers need to constantly evolve and adapt to each other’s needs.

• What according to the writer, are the qualities required in today’s times?

Ans:    According to the writer, in today’s times, our society calls for a leader who first and foremost, knows when and how to collaborate, accept feedback, analyse it, and then be confident and decisive in his actions.

• Write a note on ‘Emotional Intelligence’ as described by the writer. What is its relevance for any individual?

Ans:    Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is the ability to identify, assess and control the emotions of oneself, of others and of groups.

            The relevance for any individual is that, it helps a person to do well within his work environment, in his professional career or in society. Emotional Intelligence also helps an individual to demonstrate good leadership qualities by being self-aware and self-regulating.

• Who were Peter Salovey and John D Mayer?

Ans:    Peter Salovey and John D Mayer were leading researchers on Emotional Intelligence. They proposed a model that identifies four different factors of Emotional Intelligence viz., Perceiving Emotions, Reasoning with Emotions, Understanding Emotions and Managing Emotions.

• What do you understand by ‘Reasoning with Emotions?’

Ans:    According to Peter Salovey and John D Mayer, ‘Reasoning with Emotions’ is the ability to control and make use of emotions to facilitate various cognitive activities such as thinking and problem solving.

• What does neuro-leadership entail? How relevant is its study for the modern individual?

Ans:    Neuro-leadership focuses on leadership and leadership development.

            This study enables the modern individual to learn about his weakness and his strength and thereby resolves it accordingly which results in better work relationship and success in professional and personal life.

• How can one gauge the effect of Emotional Intelligence in a leader?

Ans:    One can gauge the effect of Emotional Intelligence in a leader by looking at the working and success of an organisation because a leader’s ability is usually reflected in the response of his associates and followers.

• What are the promises of EQ development?

Ans:    The promises of EQ development are greater personal and organisational or social effectiveness, improved leadership, and overall better quality of life.

1. Why does the writer regard acquiring feedback as the most important thing a leader does?

Ans:    The writer regards acquiring feedback as the most important thing a leader does because feedback, by far, is the most valuable tool leaders can use to improve the working environment and is crucial for a leader’s success.

1. Which skills has EQ been compared to and considered more important than in the article?

Ans:    Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has been compared to technical skill and cognitive ability and has been found out that over four-fifth of the difference in the performers was due higher EQ.

1. What happened to Harvinder’s school when the principal changed his behaviour?

Ans:    After Harvinder changed his behaviour away from ‘command and control’ and instead offered support, guidance and advice, the difference according to him was amazing. People were happy and were looking for ways to contribute instead of finding excuses to wriggle out of commitments

A Piece of Bread: Points to Remember

A Piece of Bread

Main characters:

Duke de Hardimont: A wealthy aristocrat from France who happens to befriend a poor soldier named Jean Victor.

Jean Victor: A poor soldier. Jean-Victor was a tall, large young fellow but badly made; with feverish eyes and a hospital beard. He was so thin that his shoulder blades stood out beneath his well-worn cape.

Hardimont learnt the news that France had lost a battle at Reichshoffen.

>He enlisted himself in the regiment which protected the Cannon of Fort Bicetre.

>Jean-Victor tried different works like chair mender, with masons, shop boy, floor polisher; at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the army.

>The piece of bread is pivotal to the story. It is the piece of bread which brought them together defying social barriers or class.

>Jean-Victor sacrificed his life for his friend -Hardimont.

> Keep in mind the small act of kindness shown by Duke de Hardimont to Jean Victor which made Victor felt so loved that he went to the extent of putting his body on the line although sadly it cost his life.

 You can also download the directly from the link provided below:

A Piece of Bread

Cover Letter for Job Application

Tips:

1.      A cover letter is as important as the CV/Resume.

2.      Mention the job or title you are applying for and where you saw the advertisement.

3.      Why the job interests you.

4.      Convince the reader why you are suitable for the job by emphasizing your skills, experience and personal qualities.

5.      For more information see textbook page: 80

Below is a sample cover letter

Sample Cover Letter for a Resume

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State, Zip Code
Your Phone Number
Your Email

Date

Name
Title
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:

Subject: Application for the post of English Assistant Professor

I am interested in the author's assistant position at ABC, as advertised in XXX. I am currently employed as an English teacher at XXXX School. I believe that the skills and experiences I have gained at this position make me an ideal candidate for the job.

In this paragraph, mention about your work experience and your overall skills.

You can mention more about your skills and the works you do in your current company.

I am confident that my experience in teachings and writing skills qualify me for consideration. If you would like, I can provide you with current samples of my work. I have also enclosed my resume. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing my qualifications in more detail.

Sincerely,

Lam Morgan

Resume/CV

Name and Contact Details

Lam Morgan

8826922848

ram@gmail.com

Vasant Vihar Enclave Opposite JNU.

South Delhi 110067

Educational qualifications

Certificate/Degree	Year	Institute	Subjects	Result
Master’s Degree English	2013-2015	Delhi University	English	Passed
Bachelor’s Degree English	2010-2013	Delhi University	English	Passed
Higher Secondary School	2009-2010	Greenwood School	English	Passed

Work Experience

Organisation	Duration	Designation and responsibilities	Reason for leaving
St. Stephen College	1 year	Assistant Professor	Salary Constraint
Jesus and Mary College	1 year	Assistant Professor	Better opportunities elsewhere
St. John College	2 years	Assistant Professor	Better opportunities elsewhere
Hindu College	6 months	Assistant Professor	Low Salary

Declaration

I do hereby declare that that the above statements are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Business Letter

BUSINESS LETTER

 

Tips:

1.      Keep it short and simple

2.      Use active verbs.

3.      Use Dear Sir or Madam: (if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing the letter to)

4.      Use Dear Mr. Mrs. Miss or Ms: (if you know who you are writing to, and have a formal relationship)

5.      In the end, use Yours faithfully, (if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing the letter to)

6.      Use Yours sincerely, (if you know who you are writing to, and have a formal relationship)

7.      For more information, see textbook page: 33

Short example below:

Business Letter Format

Contact Information (Your contact information)

Your Name

Your Address

Your City, State, Zip Code

Date

Contact Information (The person or company you are writing to)

Name

Title

Company

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Salutation

Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name: (Use a formal salutation not a first name)

Body of Business Letter

When writing a business letter, keep your letter simple and targeted, so the purpose of your letter is clear. Single space your letter and leave a space between each paragraph.

The first paragraph of your business letter should provide an introduction to why you are writing.

Then, in the following paragraphs provide more information and specific details about your request. Explain why you are writing so it's easy for the reader to understand what you are asking.

The last paragraph of your letter should reiterate the reason you are writing and thank the reader for reviewing your request.

Respectfully yours,

Gary Lin

Newspaper Reports

Tips:

1.      It is a written report for publication.

2.      Write only the facts without any bias or comment from the reporter.

3.      Do NOT give your personal opinion.

Format:

1.      Title or heading

2.      Byline (Name of the reporter)

3.      Newspaper’s name

4.      Lead paragraph: this includes 5 Ws – what, where, why, which, when

5.      For more information, see textbook page: 84

Car thief caught trapped in target vehicle

Rachel Crow, Staff Reporter

Wed, Sep 15, 2017

Writing Article

Tips:

1.      There is a difference between an article and an essay

2.      Article is more informative and deals mostly with issues of present day interest.

3.      For more information, see textbook page: 67

Format to write an article:

1.      Headline: Give an eye catching headline so that your readers will be interested in reading your article (e.g., Decline of True Feminism)

2.      By line: Name of the writer. Place. And year

 e.g., By Visalia Patel

Bangalore, September 15 2017

3.      Introductory paragraph: Opening of your article. Introduce the issue you will be discussing in your article. Give clear information.

4.      Body: Discuss all the solutions to the problem you provided in the introduction. Break it into separate paragraphs with five sentences in each paragraph.

5.      Conclusion: Include a short summary of your article and offer suggestions/solutions or call for the readers to take action.

Decline of Feminism (Headline)

By Piers Morgan (Name of the writer)

London, September 15 2017 (Place, date and year)

Writing a Speech

Tips:

1.      Choose a topic

2.      Write in a way that makes you comfortable

3.      Remember to end your speech in an inspirational and uplifting note.

4.      Use short sentences and avoid words your audience can’t understand.

5.      Keep each sentence easy to follow.

6.      Make the topic/theme clear to the readers.

7.      End with a memorable statement that captures your speech.

8.      For more information, see textbook page: 52.

Format:

Title of your speech (e.g., Health Hazards of Fast Food)

Date of presentation (September 15, 2017)

Introduction: Opening lines. Try to capture your audience’s attention.

Body: Build up your case or the main reason for your speech.

Concluding lines: Give a suggestion or challenge to your audience.

Closing notes: Thank you.

Q. Fast food is quick and easy. It is also delicious. You are going to speak at the State Level forum on “the health hazards of fast food.” Write a speech you plan to deliver in 200 words. [2014]

Expressing opinions

When we are negotiating, expressing opinions or simply chatting with a friend, we often have to agree to agree or disagree with the other person. We should not make a fight out of this, so we should know how to show sympathy with different opinions and also disagree without sounding aggressive.

Tips:

1.      Express your opinion, at the same time show that you are listening, understanding and appreciating the other opinions.

2.      It is always a good idea to justify your opinions. Don’t say “I agree” or “I disagree” but say “I agree because I think that … (explain your reason or point of view).”

3.      For more information see textbook page: 13

4.      Use the below lists as a reference. If possible practice dialogues with your classmates and try to use expressions from below.

Personal:

1.      In my opinion…

2.      In my experience…

3.      Speaking for myself…

4.      Personally, I think…

5.      I strongly believe that…

6.      I really feel that…

General:

1.      Some people say that…

2.      Most people think/believe that…

3.      Everybody knows that…

4.      The point is that…

Explaining things better:

1.      What I mean is that…

2.      What I am trying to say is that…

Disagreeing politely:

1.      Sorry I don’t agree with you.

2.      I don’t see it that way.

3.      On the contrary…

4.      Yes, but the problem is…

5.      You are probably right, but…

6.      I partly agree, but…

Q. read this news item and say who you would like to defend and why: [2016]

Man Takes Revenge on Noisy neighbours

When Korby’s neighbours refused to turn down their Television at two O ‘clock in the morning…

Writing Messages

Tips:

1.      Date and time of the message should appear on top

2.      Mention the name of the person for whom the message is intended.

3.      Make your language simple.

4.      Write your message in about 50 words.

5.      Use indirect speech (avoid direct speech)

6.      Always write the message in a box to indicate that it is written on a slip of paper.

7.      For more information, see textbook page 49.

Q. You had to leave for Mumbai suddenly before your mother returned from work and she forgot to take her cell phone. So you leave a message for her explaining the reasons. Write the message in about 50 words. (2016)

15th Sept. 3.30 p.m. Mom, My friend from Mumbai just called me up. He needs some help with her upcoming projects. I have left the house and will be back by next week. Let me know when you get this message. Reuben