Home Guides Taking Effective Notes The Cornell System for Note Taking

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

The Cornell System for Note Taking

The Cornell system uses a double column format for taking notes. The lefthand column (called the Recall column) is reserved for marking main ideas and jotting down questions when you review your notes. The larger, righthand column (called the Capture column) is used for the notes themselves.

The Cornell system, useful for taking notes both in lectures and from textbooks or other print material, relies on four steps.

• Step 1
• Step 2
• Step 3
• Step 4
  
  

If you'd like to see a sample of notes taken with the Cornell system, view the following sample.