CORNELL METHOD
With the Cornell method, different parts of the
notebook paper have different functions. Notes are recorded on one half, key
words and concepts are recorded in another area called the recall column, and a
summary is recorded at the bottom of the paper.
The Cornell method is similar to the two-column method and the REAP strategy. More information related to the
Cornell method is included in the Reviewing Notes section of this page.
The Cornell method of notetaking
offers several advantages. It results in more organized notes. It allows
students to quickly and identify key words and key concepts from a lecture. The
notes can easily be used as a study guide for exam preparation. The
arrangement of information is aesthetically pleasing and easy to scan, making
it easy to locate particular pieces of information. The strategy may be adapted
to a number of presentation formats.
Directions for using the Cornell method are as
follows.
- Divide the paper
- Use loose leaf
notebook paper and write on one side of the page only.
- Divide the paper
vertically by drawing a line from top to bottom about 2" from the
left side of the page.
- Documentation
- Write the following
information at the top of each page: student name, course, date, and page
number.
- Record notes
- During lecture, record
the main ideas and concepts on the right side of the page. This is the
notes column.
- Rephrase the
information in your own words before writing it down.
- Skip one line between
ideas and several lines between topics.
- Avoid writing in
complete sentences; use symbols and abbreviations instead.
- The format or style of
the notes can vary, but avoid using a formal outline. Suggestions for organizing the
notes are:
- Paragraph Style: For
unstructured information, record notes in paragraph style with short,
telegraphic sentences and phrases.
- Topic and Ideas
Style: For expanded topic information, record topics and ideas.
- Sentence Style: For
ideas and concepts, record notes in short sentences.
- Definition Style: For
main topics and features, record definitions and explanations of words
in short phrases.
- Review and Clarify
- As soon after class as
possible, review the notes in the right column and clarify any ambiguous
information.
- Compare the
information with the book and/or other students' notes.
- Then pull the main
ideas, concepts, terms, places, dates, and people from the right column
and record them in the left-hand recall column.
- Summarize
- Prepare a summary of
the lecture material and record it at the end of the notes.
- The summary may be in
sentences or short phrases. It should include only the main ideas from
the lecture.
- Study
- Use both sections of
the notes to prepare for quizzes and exams.
- Some reviewing
strategies that are suited to the Cornell format are NoteSHRINK, NoteTALK, and NoteTHINK.
An example of the Cornell method
of notetaking is provided below.
The Cornell Method
Why should I use the Cornell Method?
1.
It
encourages you to organize your class notes.
2.
It
gives you a polished set of notes to study from.
3.
This
method gets the information into both short- and long-term memory.
4.
It
saves time when studying for periodic, mid-term, or final examinations.
How do I set up my notebook page using this method?
1.
Use
a loose-leaf notebook and paper.
2.
Draw
a line down the paper 1/3 from the left. Label this RECALL COLUMN.
3.
Always
title and date each entry.
How do I take notes during a lecture using the Cornell Method?
1.
Record
all your notes in the large section to the right of the recall column.
2.
Take
notes in the simplest form possible, using keywords and abbreviations.
3.
Try
to grasp as many main ideas and important details as possible.
4.
Skip
lines to indicate the end of one main idea and the beginning of another.
What should I do after my class is over?
1.
As
soon as possible, read through your notes and fill in any blanks. Highlight the
main ideas.
2.
Next,
fill in your recall column by jotting down keywords, phrases, or questions that
stand as cues for main ideas and facts on the right.
3.
Now
you can summarize these notes in a couple of sentences. Restate the information
in your own words.
4.
You
can review your notes daily and quiz yourself by folding the notes so only the
recall column is showing.
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The Cornell Method of Note Taking |
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2 1/2 inches |
6 inches
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Cornell Method |
This sheet
demonstrates the Cornell Method of taking classroom notes. It is recommended
by experts from the |
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Line drawn down paper |
You should
draw a line down your note page about 2 1/2 inches from the left side, or use
the paper that law students use which already has a wide left margin. On the
right side of the line simply record your classroom notes as you usually do.
Be sure that you write legibly. (See hints for recording notes below). |
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After the lecture |
After
the lecture you
should read the notes, fill in materials that you missed, make your writing
legible and underline any important materials. Ask another classmate for help
if you missed something during the lecture. |
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Use the recall |
The recall
column on the left will help you when you study for your tests. Jot down
any important words or key phrases in the recall column. This activity
forces you to rethink and summarize your notes. The key words should stick in
your mind. |
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Five R's |
The Five
R's will help you take better notes based on the Cornell Method. |
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Record |
1. Record
any information given during the lecture which you believe will be important. |
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Reduce |
2. When
you reduce your information you are summarizing and listing key
words/phrases in the recall column |
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Recite |
5. Cover
the notes you took for class. Test yourself on the words in the recall
section. This is what we mean by recite. |
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Reflect |
7. You
should reflect on the information you received during the lecture.
Determine how your ideas fit in with the information. |
|
Review |
9. If you review
your notes you will remember a great deal more when you take your midterm. |
The Cornell Note Taking System
Recall Column
------2 1/2”--------
----------------6”--------------------
Reduce ideas and facts to
concise
jottings and
summaries
as cues for
Record the lecture as fully
and as
Reciting, Reviewing, meaningfully as possible.
and Reflecting.
The format
provides the perfect opportunity for following through with the 5 R's of
note-taking. Here they are:
1. Record.
During the lecture, record in the main column as many meaningful
facts and ideas as you can. Write legibly.
2. Reduce.
As soon after as possible, summarize
these ideas and facts concisely in the Recall Column. Summarizing
clarifies meanings and relationships, reinforces continuity, and strengthens
memory. Also, it is a way of preparing for examinations gradually and well
ahead of time.
3. Recite.
Now cover the column, using only your jottings in the Recall Column
as cues or "flags" to help you recall, say over facts and ideas of
the lecture as fully as you can, not mechanically, but in your own words and
with as much appreciation of the meaning as you can. Then, uncovering your
notes, verify what you have said. This procedure helps to transfer the facts and
ideas of your long term memory.
4. Reflect.
Reflective students distill their opinions from their notes. They
make such opinions the starting point for their own musings upon the subjects
they are studying. Such musings aid them in making sense out of their courses
and academic experiences by finding relationships among them. Reflective
students continually label and index their experiences and ideas, put them into
structures, outlines, summaries, and frames of reference. They rearrange and
file them. Best of all, they have an eye for the vital-for the essential.
Unless ideas are placed in categories, unless they are taken up from time to
time for re-examination, they will become inert and soon forgotten.
5. Review. If you will spend 10 minutes
every week or so in a quick review of these notes, you will retain most of what
you have learned, and you will be able to use your knowledge currently to
greater and greater effectiveness.
©Academic
Skills Center, Dartmouth College 2001