<p>I’ve taken AP Government (4) and AP US History (5), so you could say that I’m familiar with AP History textbooks…
Note taking is pretty personal, in that you’ll find out what works for you as you get more and more familiar with taking notes. I used to just write random crap on a page, but now I do a pretty complex outline.
What I would suggest is trying a couple of different methods, seeing which you like the best, and go from there. My personal favorite is outlining, which, if you don’t know what it is, I would suggest that you look up. Depending on your computer (I’m assuming that you’re planning on typing your notes), you’ll probably have a default outline somewhere in Word or Pages, and I can help you with that, as I am familiar with both. Outlining is basically when you list a big main topic, followed by sub-details, followed by sub-sub details…you get the picture. Not all “big detail” needs the same amount of sub detail.
Another style of taking notes is in a Cornell Note format, which is taught in many schools, so you may already be familiar with it. I don’t prefer it, and it is harder to type on the computer, so if you are more interested in using this style of notes, I would maybe suggest that you look up how to do that.</p>
<p>In terms of what is important, or what is not, I’ll just provide you with an example from the AMSCO AP US History book…</p>
<p>Lawyers: Often viewed as talkative troublemakers, lawyers were not
commonly seen in the colonial courts of the 1600s. In that period, individuals
would argue their own cases before a colonial magistrate. During the 1700s,
however, as trade expanded and legal problems became more complex, the
need for expert assistance in court became apparent. The most able lawyers
formed a bar (committee or board), which set rules and standards for aspiring
young lawyers. Lawyers gained further respect in the 1760s and 1770s when
they argued for colonial rights. John Adams, James Otis, and Patrick Henry
were three such lawyers whose legal arguments would ultimately provide the intellectual underpinnings of the American Revolution.</p>
<p>Clearly we don’t need all of the information in the passage. Who cares if lawyers were talkative troublemakers? But as we continue to read through this, we should note the major themes and points. Here are a few…</p>
<ol>
<li>In the 1600’s, individuals argue their own case before a colonial magistrate.</li>
<li>In 1700’s, lawyers became more popular because trade expanded, so they formed a bar.</li>
<li>Lawyers gained more respect by arguing for colonial rights.</li>
</ol>
<p>See? I just reduced a paragraph into 3 sentences. You should note that the above isn’t an outline format.
You need to learn to think in “Is this really necessary?” I know that this is going to be hard at first, but it’s a learned way of thinking that you will pick up on. You also need to keep in mind that CollegeBoard can’t test on little details, because how can they regulate what little details everyone learns? The big focus with AP History courses is on major themes and trends, though you will need to know some details of each time period.
If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to ask them! I’m here to help. :)</p>