Cornell Notes

How Do I Set Up Cornell Notes? Name Date Topic of Notes Period Take notes on topic here Draw or fold a line 2.5 inches from left side Write questions/ subheadings in this left margin 3 to 4 sentence summary across the bottom of the last page of the day’s notes

Why Take Notes? Cornell note-taking stimulates critical thinking skills. A good set of notes can help you work on assignments and prepare for tests It helps you pay more attention to the lecture or text

Why Take Notes? Good notes help you to be more organized Good notes help you recall if you review and use your notes multiple times. They can help you get better grades! Note-taking is essential in college How do I know what I think until I see what I write!

History of Cornell Notes Developed in 1949 at Cornell University by Walter Pauk. Designed in response to frustration over student test scores. Meant to be easily used as a test study guide. Based on processing and memory research conducted by Dr. Pauk

Taking Class Notes Record from “lecture”, text, video, observation, project, activity, etc. in big margin notes are usually subject-oriented...what is important to write down? format of notes, e.g., visual cues, are learned from subject area teachers What will I need to remember?

Taking Class Notes Don’t copy text or try to write every word from a lecture. Do not use complete sentences or paragraphs. Do use abbreviations, symbols, charts Do use bullets, dashes, numbers, spaces to organize and separate notes Do write neatly!

What to Write in the Left Column… purpose of creating questions in left column is to deepen your understanding of the information in your notes Write questions that get answered in your notes section Information you don’t understand or want to discuss with your teacher/tutor. Gaps in your notes-what do you still need/want to know?

After You Finish: Review and fill in gaps or missing info Highlight or underline important ideas, terms, themes Compare notes with partner, add to them Write a 3-4 sentences summary of these notes: What were the key ideas I learned from this text or lecture? (If you were to read just the summary of your notes, you should be able to know what the whole page would basically be discussing)

How to Use Your Completed Notes Re-read them before a test or quiz Re-copy them to help you remember information Fold left margin and have a partner ask you questions; quiz yourself Go through and highlight parts you still don’t get and take them to your teacher

Practice the 6 R’s of Note-Taking RECORD REREAD REDUCE REFLECT RECITE REVIEW