The Meeting Jotter

By Earl Edgardo Alonzo

M
eeting notes are important because it help us remember what was discussed in a meeting. More often than not, we need to submit a report after attending a meeting so our superiors would have an idea how a particular issue was discussed.

Writing is an essential communication tool in our everyday lives. We communicate by email, text messages, Post-it notes, etc. in the office. At home we leave notes on the fridge, on the counter-top or message board. It is a way to get our message across when the other person is not available for us to talk to.

One of the limitations of writing is that the reader cannot immediately get clarification from the writer on points that maybe obscure. So we go to the person who gave us the note and ask. Clarifications are made and a way forward is agreed upon. After awhile you ask yourself, what did we discuss again? How are we going to move forward?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781312479142

Book preview

The Meeting Jotter

The Meeting Jotter

How to Take Meeting Notes Effectively and Write Reports Clearly

E a r l  E d g a r d o  A l o n z o

Copyright © 2014 Earl Edgardo Alonzo

All rights reserved. Without limiting rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, introduced into a retrieval system, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including without limitation photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. The scanning, uploading, and/or distribution of this document via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the author is illegal and is punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrightable materials.

Table of Contents

About the Author

Introduction

Chapter 1

Active Listening

Improving our Memory

The Method of Loci

Chapter 2

Preparation

Briefing

Research

Some Tips on Research

How Boolean Logic works

Methods for Taking Notes

The Outline Method

The Cornell Method

The Mapping Method

Chapter 3

Writing down the Details

Details

Names of Attendees, Reference Materials for the Meeting

Chapter 4

Writing the Report

Clear and Concise Writing

Executive Summaries

Drafting the Report

The Basic Five-Paragraph Model

Some Points on Style

Some Tips on Editing

Some Common Errors in Grammar

Quality Reference Materials

About the Author

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The author works for the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. He was detailed at the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa for six years. There he handled economic diplomacy where marathon meetings are everyday occurrence, as well Consular concerns. He was able to hone his skills in note taking and drafting reports by being immersed in such a high pressure work environment. He is now currently assigned at the main Consular Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines.

Introduction

M

eeting notes are important because it help us remember what was discussed in a meeting. More often than not, we need to submit a report after attending a meeting so our superiors would have an idea how a particular issue was discussed.

Writing is an essential communication tool in our everyday lives. We communicate by email, text messages, Post-it notes, etc. in the office. At home we leave notes on the fridge, on the counter-top or message board.