what to do: / The Cornell Note-Making approach is a guided note taking strategy which uses a prepared template.
The template can be used to take notes from lectures, presentations, meetings, readings, podcasts, videos, films etc.
This (adapted) Cornell Note-Making Template divides the page into:
1.Main Notes
2.Summary
3.Follow-UP
The note-taker fills out sections 1, 2, and 3 in turn.
why this approach might be helpful for students: / Using a template sets notes out in a non-linear form.
The template page is divided into distinct sections. This not only makes it easier for the eye to negotiate the page, it also requires the reader to reduce and review their notes.
The Summary section at the bottom of the page is useful both to reinforce the main notes, and also as a revision aid.
The Follow-Up column allows the note-taker to reflect on anything that might require further research/clarification.
notes: / The template below has been adapted from the standardCornell Note-Making template by the inclusion of the column called: Page Numbers. This column can be used when taking notes from written sources, to link the notes to page numbers in order to helpwith referencing.
The template can be adapted to the learner’s preferences or individual needs. This means that different templates could be used for different purposes.
- author, lecturer, presentation, source etc.
- title, subject etc.
- date of publication, presentation, lecture etc.
3. Follow-Up
This section is for you to write any ‘follow-up’ notes you feel you might need.
For example:
Is there a technical term you need to look up?
Does the author mention another work you want to refer to? / Page
Number / 1. Main Notes
Write your main notes here.
Ideally, keep them brief and, where possible, use symbols and abbreviations (the study guide: Common Abbreviations might help you identify existing short-hand or encourage you to create your own).
If you feel it might help you, use different colours (e.g. a colour-coding system to distinguish between different types/categories of information) Drawings or doodles can also be incorporated.
Try to leave enough blank space in this section so that it is easy to read your notes back to yourself. Leaving space also allows you to add information later on if you feel you want to.
2. Summary
Write a summary here. This should be short. A summary allows you to review and consider the notes you have written above. It also means that, when you read through your notes, you can start by reading the summary and then decide if you want/need to read the notes. The summary should be written immediately after the lecture, presentation, reading etc.