1. Cornell
Notes

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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!

5. 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

6. 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?

7. 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!

8. 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?

9. 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)

10. 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

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