Description and Example of the Cornell Method of Note Taking

Set-up

 

 

·        Start each note taking session on a new page.  Date and number each page.

·        Draw a vertical line down the left side of the page, 2 ½ inches from the margin.  To the left of this line will be your cue column, to the right of this line will be your notes column.

·        Draw a horizontal line across the page, 2 inches from the bottom.  This will be your summary section.

Record

 

·        Record your notes during the lecture or while reading in the notes column.   

·        Organize your notes by writing headings or titles at the top (underline these). 

·        Indent slightly under the heading to include the related main ideas.  Under each main idea, indent again to list details which elaborate on the main ideas.

Reduce

 (ASAP no later than 24 hours)

·        Review and condense your notes column.

·        In the cue column, write down questions, key words, and or phrases that represent the main points of the lecture or reading.   

·        Make sure to line up your cues (questions, key words, and or phrases) to correspond to content in the notes column. 

·        Use the summary section to briefly describe the information contained on that page of notes. This is also a good place to list the page number(s) of corresponding information from the textbook.

Review

·        Briefly review your notes (10 minutes) several times a week to retain what you have learned.

·        Cover up the notes column where you recorded your notes.

·        Use the questions, key words, and or phrases in the cue column to quiz yourself, jog your memory, and develop further learning.

·        Use this process to discover cause and effect of issues, identify and define related terms, and connect related concepts.

·        Add to your notes each time you review!