When you take notes, you write only a few words and phrase about the most important points. If you try to write too much, you will miss important information. Learn to listen for the main ideas and write the key words and phrases that will help you remember them. Make two columns on your paper and label them key words and main ideas as in the example below. As you listen, write the key words in the left column. After you listen, use the key words to fill in additional information about the main ideas in the right column.