Note-taking systems

How to take notes

There are 5 main "official" systems for taking notes in longhand:

• Cornell (easy)
• Outline (good, if the instructor doesn't go too fast)
• Mapping (tricky till you get the hang of it)
• Charting (only useful for certain situations)
• Sentence or List (easiest but also least useful, requires rewriting later)

This sounds very complicated, but you will find yourself using at least one of these, and possibly 2-3 in different situations. Once you read the descriptions below, you may discover that you are already familiar with at least one!

 

Quick summary

Cornell	divides page into sections take freeform notes in the main and later add reminders of the key points in the left and a summary at the bottom; very flexible and does not require notes to be rewritten later
Outlining	create an indented outline main topics are indented least, shows how points are related; requires some thought during the lecture
Mapping	a.k.a. mind maps, creates a graphical representation of the content shows how points relates to everything else; doesn't work for everyone
Charting or tables	uses columns and tables to record information; great for heavy fact-based classes like certain history classes
Sentence or List	Write every piece of new info on a separate line and number them; doesn't show any relationship or group information together

 

How do they work?

Cornell

1. Divide each page into 2 columns and 1 vertical space, leaving approx a 2" margin on the left and a small horizontal area on the bottom
2. Use the main part of the page to make freeform notes (however you want)
3. After the class, write "cues" on the left to remind you of the main details and a short summary of the lecture in the space at the bottom of the page

Best for - any type of class

For an example, click here.

 

Outline

1. Start each new topic/main point on a new line
2. Each more specific piece of information relating to that topic is indented a bit more
3. Use the same amount of indenting for related information; this means the most important facts are indented least, and related facts are grouped together to make it easy to see correlations
4. You can also underline/highlight key points

Best for - organized lectures presented in an outline format

For an example, click here.

 

Mapping

1. Write the title/key point of the lecture in the center of the page
2. For each point, write it down and link it using lines, colors or numbers
3. You should end up with the major "headings" as the first points out from the center, then sub-headings a little farther out, and so on

Best for - organized classes which are heavy on content

There are many ways to draw a mind map. Click the links for an example of a hand-drawn map, a tree-style or a star-style map.

 

Charting

1. Before the class starts, determine the categories of information you will need,
   e.g. for a history class: year, type of event, who was involved, key factors, significance
2. Mark your paper into columns or a table using those categories as headings
3. Each time your instructor mentions another fact, note it down
4. Fill in any blanks after class

Best for - classes heavy on straight factual content that is presented quickly

For an example, click here.

 

Sentence or List

1. Write every new piece of information on a new line
2. Number each sentence as you progress

Best for - quickly getting down information, people who will rewrite and organize notes later

Now you've had a chance to read the details, think about your preferred style.
Do you like to rewrite and organize your notes later? Sentence-style might be for you.
Do you want to take notes and leave them as-is? Try the Cornell method.