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Note Making Class 11: Title, Headings, Key, Summary

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EnglishCBSE Class 11 · Note Making and Summarisation

Note Making and Summary (Class 11 English Core): Title, Headings, Key and Summary

Updated 17 October 2026 · Draft, not yet fact-checked

Note making carries 5 marks (title 1, numbering and indenting 1, key 1, notes 2) and the summary of up to 50 words carries 3 marks (content 2, expression 1). Give a short title, divide the notes into numbered main headings with indented sub-points in phrases, use recognisable abbreviations with a key, and then expand the notes into a connected summary within 50 words.

Notice the short title, numbered headings with indented phrase sub-points, a key for every abbreviation, and the notes then becoming a summary.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary

Read first. Read the passage once for the main idea, then again with a pencil, underlining main points and examples. Decide how many main parts the passage has (usually two to four).

Title. Choose a short title that tells the subject, for example "Importance of Sleep". Do not copy a long sentence.

Headings and sub-headings. Use a numbering system (1, 1.1, 1.2 or 1, a, b) and indent sub-points under their main heading. Each heading is a phrase; each sub-point is also a phrase, without full verbs or articles where meaning stays clear.

Abbreviations and key. Use standard short forms (govt., edu., &, e.g., approx.) and symbols (->, +). List every abbreviation you use in a key at the end or beginning. Do not invent a short form that a reader cannot decode, and do not use abbreviations for the heading words.

Content. Include all main points and important sub-points, leave out examples that do not carry the idea, and do not add your own ideas.

Summary. The summary is written in full sentences, in your own words, in up to 50 words. Use the notes as your plan, leave out examples, and connect ideas with words like because and therefore. Neighbouring topics (the five marks split) are on the chapter page.

Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary: key facts

Marks for notes
  • Title 1
  • Numbering and indenting 1
  • Key 1
  • Notes 2
Five marks in all.
Marks for summary
Content 2 | Expression 1
Up to 50 words.
Numbering
  • 1
  • 1.1
  • 1.2
  • 2
Keep it consistent.

How to answer Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary questions

Use this for any passage of 200-250 words.

  1. 1Read and underline the main points.
  2. 2Write a short title.
  3. 3Make numbered headings and indented sub-points in phrases.
  4. 4Add abbreviations and a key.
  5. 5Write the summary in up to 50 words from the notes.

Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Notes from a lecture

Suppose a student listens to a 20-minute talk on healthy eating and writes only phrases under four headings: Meals, Snacks, Water and Sleep. Later she revises the whole talk in five minutes from these notes.

Which feature of note making does this show?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Headings group ideas.
  2. Phrases save time.
  3. Notes work as a revision plan.

Answer: It shows that clear headings and short phrases make a quick, usable record that can be expanded later, as the summary is expanded from notes.

Memory hook: Short, grouped, useful.

Tricks to remember Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • T-N-K-N

    Title, Numbering, Key, Notes.

    Use it when: The four marked parts.

  • Phrases, not sentences

    Drop verbs and articles when meaning is clear.

    Use it when: Style of notes.

Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Marks · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The marks for note making are
(a) 3 (b) 5 (c) 8 (d) 10

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Note making carries 5 marks (1 mark).

Answer: (b)

Example 2: Phrase form · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

Convert to a note: "The body repairs its muscles and the brain sorts the learning of the day while we sleep."

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Drop the full verbs (1).
  2. Keep the key ideas (1).

Answer: During sleep: body repairs muscles; brain sorts day's learning

Example 3: Make notes · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Read the passage and make notes with a title, numbered headings and a key. Passage: Sleep is a need, not a luxury. During sleep the body repairs its muscles and the brain sorts the day's learning. Teenagers need more sleep than adults, yet many sleep little because of late-night screen use. Lack of sleep causes poor concentration, mood swings and weak immunity. Experts suggest a fixed bedtime, no screens before bed and a cool, dark room.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Title (1).
  2. Numbering and indenting (1).
  3. Key (1).
  4. Main points and sub-points (2).

Answer: Title: Importance of Sleep
1. Need of sleep
1.1 body repairs muscles
1.2 brain sorts learning
2. Problem in teens
2.1 need more sleep than adults
2.2 late-night screens -> little sleep
3. Effects of lack
3.1 poor conc.
3.2 mood swings
3.3 weak imm.
4. Remedies
4.1 fixed bedtime
4.2 no screens before bed
4.3 cool & dark room
Key: conc. — concentration; imm. — immunity; -> — leads to; & — and

Example 4: Summary · 3 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Write a summary of the passage above in about 50 words using your notes.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Content: need, problem, effects, remedies (2).
  2. Expression: full sentences, own words (1).

Answer: Sleep lets the body and brain recover, but teenagers often sleep too little because of late screen use. This causes poor concentration, mood swings and weak immunity. A fixed bedtime, no screens before sleep and a cool, dark room can help.

Example 5: Fix the notes · 3 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

A student wrote: "1. Sleep is a need and not a luxury for everybody 2. Lack of sleep is not good for health." Give three faults and rewrite. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Faults: no title, full sentences, vague point, no sub-points or key (1).
  2. Rewrite as phrases with headings (1).
  3. Use of abbreviations and key (1).

Answer: Faults: there is no title, the points are full sentences, and the second point is vague, with no sub-points or key. Rewritten: Title: Sleep and Health. 1. Need of sleep 1.1 repair of body 1.2 brain function. 2. Lack of sleep 2.1 poor concentration 2.2 weak immunity. Key: imm. = immunity.

Where students lose marks in Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: No title

    It is one of five marks.

    Wrong working

    Notes begin at heading 1.

    Right working

    Title: Importance of Sleep.

    Do this: Write the title first.

    Usually costs: 1 mark of 5.

  • Mistake: Full sentences in notes

    Notes use phrases.

    Wrong working

    The body repairs its muscles during sleep.

    Right working

    body repairs muscles

    Do this: Drop verbs and articles.

    Usually costs: 1 mark of 5.

  • Mistake: Summary over 50 words

    The limit is part of the task.

    Wrong working

    A 75-word summary.

    Right working

    A 48-word summary.

    Do this: Count and cut.

    Usually costs: 1 mark of 3.

Exam tips

  • Write the title first.
  • Use a consistent numbering system and indent sub-points.
  • Add every abbreviation to the key.
  • Write the summary in your own words in up to 50 words.
  • Leave out examples in the summary.

Practice questions on Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    A suitable title for notes should be
    (a) a full paragraph (b) short and relevant (c) the first sentence (d) left blank

    Hint

    It names the subject.

    Answer

    (b)

  2. Q2 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Read and make notes (title, headings, key): Reading daily improves vocabulary and concentration. It also reduces stress because the mind relaxes. Experts suggest choosing books of interest, reading at a fixed time and keeping a small notebook for new words. Schools can help by providing a library period and a quiet reading corner.

    Hint

    Three headings: benefits, tips, role of school.

    Answer

    Title: Benefits of Daily Reading
    1. Benefits
    1.1 better vocab.
    1.2 more conc.
    1.3 less stress
    2. Tips
    2.1 books of interest
    2.2 fixed time
    2.3 notebook for new words
    3. Role of schools
    3.1 lib. period
    3.2 quiet rdg. corner
    Key: vocab. — vocabulary; conc. — concentration; lib. — library; rdg. — reading

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Write a summary (about 50 words) of the passage on daily reading above.

    Hint

    Use the notes in sentences.

    Answer

    Daily reading improves vocabulary and concentration and reduces stress. Choosing books of interest, reading at a fixed time and noting new words help readers. Schools can support them with a library period and a quiet reading corner.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Explain two differences between notes and a summary. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Style and length.

    Answer

    Notes use phrases, headings and abbreviations, while a summary is in full, connected sentences. Notes may be longer and record details, whereas a summary is brief, up to 50 words, and uses only main points.

  5. Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    Why must the key list every abbreviation, and what may go wrong if it does not? (3 marks)

    Hint

    Think of the reader.

    Answer

    The key lets any reader decode the short forms. Without it, the reader may misread or not understand the notes, so the examiner may deduct the key mark and perhaps the content marks too.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.How many marks for note making?Show answer

    5 (title 1, numbering and indenting 1, key 1, notes 2).

  2. 2.How many marks for the summary?Show answer

    3 (content 2, expression 1).

  3. 3.What is the summary word limit?Show answer

    Up to 50 words.

  4. 4.Should notes be in full sentences?Show answer

    No, in phrases.

  5. 5.What is a key?Show answer

    The list of abbreviations used.

Note Making: Title, Headings, Key and Summary: frequently asked questions

Can I use my own abbreviations?

Yes, but they must be clear and listed in the key.

Do I need a title for the summary?

No, the title is for the notes.

How long is the passage?

About 200-250 words.