Even though visual notes include many visual elements, text is also important. Text in normal handwriting is still a big part of my visual notes. Below are my visual notes for Fast-Draft Your Memoir by Rachel Herron. The text portion (regular and headers) is below, and the other elements are combined on the next page. Symbols, containers, and people support and emphasize the text.
Write headers above content—Headings are great ways to divide a page of notes into sections for easy navigation and readability.
Place in containers to highlight content—Placing text in a rectangle or other shape will draw attention to it.
Label visual elements—Notes composed purely of visual elements may be challenging to understand later. Adding a few words will help you recall the context of the visuals.
Connect ideas together—I often use mind map style layouts in notes with a keyword inside a container and lines extending to other words or images.
Below is an integrated version of the split note on the previous pages (text vs. other elements). In bringing all of the visual and text elements together, you can see how I applied the recommendations I just listed.
Look At My Notes
This post is from Look At My Notes! How to take and share visual notes. It is available at Amazon.com.
Visual notes consist of text and graphical elements arranged to enhance learning. Because emphasizing content visually makes it memorable, visual notes are ideal for learning, training, and handouts.
In Look At My Notes you will learn (1) how to take and share visual notes with others, (2) why visual notes are effective, and (3) what to include in your visual notes.
Notes For Learning 