Kenwood Academy High School
"Success Express"

 

The Cornell Note-Taking System

The Cornell Note-Taking System was designed to both save time and be efficient. It involves no rewriting or retyping of notes, and can be used during a lecture/presentation as you listen, or from a textbook as you read.

The system has Four Major Note-Taking Goals:

1. 1. Provides the student with a written record for review.

1. 2. Forces the student to pay attention.

1. 3. Requires the student to be organized - an active effort on his/her part.

1. 4. Necessitates the student condensing and rephrasing the lecture/text - which aids understanding.

The system has Three Basic Steps:

1. 1. PREPARATION-Using a large looseleaf notebook, draw a vertical line about 2-2.5 inches from the left side of the paper
1. The left side represents the RECALL column where key words and phrases will later be recorded.
2. The right side represents the CENTER column where lecture/textbook notes will be written.
2. 2. DURING CLASS-Record notes in paragraph form on the right side, capturing as many important ideas as possible.
1. Skip lines to show end of ideas or thoughts.
2. Use abbreviations or notations to save time.
3. Write legibly so you'll understand it later.
3. 3. AFTER CLASS-Read through your notes and make them as readable as possible.
1. Using the left RECALL column, jot down key words and phrases across from your notes (called "reducing).
2. Re-reading the lecture/text notes will assist you with #1.
3. Cover the right-hand (CENTER) column of the page and attempt to recite the general concepts and ideas of the lecture/text.
4. Uncover the notes and check to see if you got them right.
5. Repeat as necessary.