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By Swati Singh
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Updated on 12 Sep 2025, 16:24 IST
Note making is one of the most important writing skills introduced in Class 11 English (CBSE). It is tested in board exams and is a valuable skill for academics, competitive exams, and real-life learning. Through note making, students learn how to summarize, organize, and present information clearly and briefly. In this blog, we’ll cover what note making is, its format, key features, and examples so you can master it step by step.
Note making is the process of extracting important ideas from a given passage and writing them down in a short, structured, and easy-to-recall format. It involves:
Identifying main points
Using headings and sub-headings
Employing abbreviations and symbols
Writing a summary for quick revision
User Intent: Students often struggle with the format in exams. Remember, marks are awarded for clarity, proper indentation, and summary.
Saves time during revision
Makes large texts easier to understand
Improves focus and analytical skills
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Helps in quick recall of key points
The correct format carries marks in board exams. Follow this 4-step structure:
Title → Represents the central theme of the passage.
Main Notes → Headings, subheadings, and key points written with indentation.
Use proper numbering system (I, II, III → 1, 2 → a, b → i, ii).
Abbreviations and Symbols → Write at least 4–5 abbreviations with a key.
Example: govt. = government, imp. = important, edu. = education
Summary → A short paragraph (around 50 words) highlighting the main ideas.
Use phrases, not full sentences
Maintain logical order of ideas
Do not copy entire sentences
Use abbreviations wherever possible
Keep it short, clear, and neat
Passage: Education is the backbone of any nation. It not only develops knowledge but also shapes personality and character. In today’s world, education creates better job opportunities, reduces poverty, and spreads social awareness. However, challenges like lack of resources, inequality, and rising costs of education must be addressed for inclusive growth.
Notes: Title: Importance of Education
I. Role of Edu.
1. Builds knowledge
2. Shapes personality & character
II. Benefits
1. Job opp.
2. Reduces poverty
3. Social awareness
III. Challenges
1. Lack of resources
2. Inequality
3. Rising costs
Abbreviations:
edu. = education, opp. = opportunities, imp. = important
Summary: Education plays an imp. role in building knowledge, personality, and social awareness. It creates job opp. and reduces poverty. Yet, challenges like inequality, lack of resources, and rising costs must be solved to achieve inclusive growth.
Always give a titl
Use minimum 4 abbreviations and provide a key
Keep notes concise and in proper format
Summary should be in your own words
Maintain neat indentation
Note making is more than just an exam skill—it is a lifelong learning tool. Whether you are preparing for Class 11, board exams, or future competitive tests, mastering the note making format will save you time and boost your understanding. With practice, you’ll be able to quickly extract key ideas and present them in a structured way.
Final Tip: Practice with unseen passages from newspapers and NCERT to sharpen your note making skills.
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Note making is the process of writing down the main points of a passage in a short, structured, and organized format using headings, subheadings, abbreviations, and a summary
It helps students save time, revise quickly, and understand texts better. It also improves concentration and analytical skills, which are useful for board exams and competitive exams.
The CBSE format includes:
Title
Main notes (headings + subheadings)
Abbreviations & symbols with a key
At least 4–5 abbreviations should be used, and they must be explained in the abbreviation key at the end.
Note making: Uses points, headings, subheadings, and abbreviations.
Summary writing: A short paragraph in continuous prose, written in full sentences.
Use only key words/phrases (no full sentences).
Keep it short, clear, and logically arranged.
Use indentation and numbering.
Avoid unnecessary details.
The summary should be about 50 words, written in your own words, highlighting the main ideas of the passage.
Yes, symbols like “&”, “→”, “+”, “=” can be used to make notes concise, along with abbreviations.
In the CBSE Class 11 exam, note making and summary together usually carry 8 marks.
Practice with newspaper articles, NCERT passages, and sample papers. Focus on identifying main ideas and summarizing them in a structured format.