A Guide to Note-Taking in Class

Adapted from Note Taking Systems. Cal Poly, 2020

Taking notes of what happens in class is necessary for two main reasons. Firstly, and perhaps most obviously, we take notes to help us remember the main points of the class. We use these notes to go back to when we are reviewing or studying. Secondly, we take notes to help us learn as we listen. This works because a good note-taker is focusing on fully understanding the concepts as he or she structures them on paper.

How to Prepare to Take-Notes

You need to be ready for class to take good notes. Ensure that you have completed your assigned readings, assignments, and have reviewed your notes from the previous class. Now you are in the best position to understand the lecture, anticipate what information might be important, connect the class material with the course as a whole, and formulate questions you may want to ask.

What to Write in Your Notes

Don’t try to write down every word the teacher speaks and writes. You will be so busy recording the lecture that you will not be able to learn. Instead, listen and actively make an effort to understand the class material as it is presented. As you listen, organize and contextualize the important ideas, concepts, and facts. By focusing on writing down just what is most important you will have the time to be engaged in class, and complete a good set of notes that you can refer to when you are reviewing and studying.

How to Organize Your Notes

There are five common methods for organizing your notes:

• The Cornell Method
• The Mapping Method
• The Outlining Method
• The Charting Method
• The Sentence Method

Find the method that works for you, combine and modify them to suit your needs. Remember that your notes are for you and you alone, so organize them in a way that works for you.

After the Lecture

Revise your notes within a day or two, and review them again before your next class. Discuss with other students what points they found interesting and important. Keep your notes in mind as you complete your readings. Rephrase them as your understanding evolves. Seek out help from your instructor or tutor about anything you still don’t understand.

Keep practicing! The skill of taking notes in class takes time to master. However, once learned you will get the most out of all of your classes and your grades will reflect it!

The Cornell Method

This method was first popularized by Dr. Walter Pauk at Cornell University. The Cornell Method is a simple and efficient system that has been successfully used for many years.

Divide your paper as in the example below. During the lecture write the main points of the lecture in the notes column. After the lecture pull out single words or phrases that will help you remember the information in your notes. These could be main ideas, concepts, terms, places, or dates. You can also write study questions here. Use the recall column to test yourself. Look at only the notes in your recall column and ask yourself questions. After the lecture you also write a summary of your notes in the summary box. Writing a summary helps you review and critically think about the lecture.

Example

The Mapping Method

With the mapping method you create a graphic representation of the lecture. Every Topic, fact or idea is related to each other visually.

Example:

The Outlining Method

The Outlining Method is perhaps the most common way to organize notes. With the Outlining Method you organize your notes with indentations. The level of importance is indicated by the distance from the left margin.

Example:

The Charting Method

The Charting Method uses a table to organize your notes. It is useful for lessons that cover a lot of facts.

The organization of the chart makes for easy review. However, If the topics are not obvious, the system can be hard to use in a lecture.

Example

Alternative Energy Systems

The Sentence Method

The Sentence Method involves using sentences to summaries and organize your thoughts.

You write each topic and the supporting details in sentences using your own words. Each new topic begins on a new line with a number in the margin.

The advantage of using the Sentence Method is that a full sentence is often clearer to understand than a few linking words. This method also promotes you to be fully engaged in class and to critically think about what to write and how to write it concisely.

Example: