Home Guides Taking Effective Notes Using Notes to Write Papers

Introduction

Before the Lecture

During the Lecture

Example

Listening Hints During the Lecture

After the Lecture

The Cornell System for Note Taking

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Taking Notes During Discussions

Using Notes to Write Papers

Using Notes to Study for Exams

Additional Resources

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Authors & Contributors

Using Notes to Write Papers

As you begin a paper based on class notes, here are some starting points:

• Use critical thinking techniques to reflect on the material--what is your opinion of it? What additional examples or explanations can you provide? Can you connect this material to other classes, outside reading, your own experiences?
• Be sure to distinguish in your notes among what your professor says, what information comes from the book, what a classmate has said, and your own ideas that you wrote down. This way, you can return to the source to search for more information (and credit the appropriate source).