Note taking
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................... 2
Why take notes?...................................................................................................................2
The note taking process....................................................................................................... 2
Top tips for note taking........................................................................................................3
The Cornell Method............................................................................................................. 3
Tools for note taking............................................................................................................ 4
Summary.............................................................................................................................. 5
References............................................................................................................................5
Full URLs............................................................................................................................... 5
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Last reviewed: September 2024
Review date: Summer 2025
Introduction
Note taking is an active way to make a record of an event such as a class. This will increase
your understanding and allow you to pick out the most important points and themes. This
tutorial will get you thinking about:
Why we take notes.
The process used to make notes both in class and whilst reading.
How to make notes using the Cornell Method.
Top tips to apply to your own note taking.
Tools used for making notes.
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Why take notes?
To aid memory via active writing and active listening.
To organise thinking, by noting key ideas and concepts.
To provide a record of lectures, reading, meetings, etc.
To follow up on action points or references.
To consolidate ideas, make connections, help with revision, and to keep a copy.
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The note taking process
Note taking is a process and requires different approaches for different situations. It isn’t
just about what you do when you are in class or when you’re reading. Successful note taking
requires preparation beforehand and follow up activities afterwards.
Stages of note taking – in class
Before: prepare by completing any reading and familiarise yourself with assignments
required. If possible, get a copy of the class slides or handout.
During: apply a technique (such as the Cornell method); note the session objectives,
the summary and references, and keywords to follow up.
After: follow up any references, organise and review notes.
Stages of note taking – when reading
Before: think about the information you need. Do you require an overview, case
studies, definitions, ideas or evidence? This will influence what you need to read and
improve your motivation.
During: Apply different techniques whilst reading. Scanning at first, then critical in-
depth reading and annotating for key information.
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Last reviewed: September 2024
Review date: Summer 2025
After: Make sure you keep a full note of the references for what you are reading.
Organise, and review notes. This may lead to follow ups.
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Top tips for note taking
Be concise – use bullet points and abbreviations.
Paraphrase – this will help you to process the information. Paraphrasing is when you
use your own words to express someone else’s ideas (written or spoken).
Space material out so it is easier to understand.
Use pictures and colours to increase memory and engagement.
Try using the Cornell method – see the next section for more information.
Annotate lecture slides if available - this helps you to focus on capturing your
thoughts about the content.
Afterwards, read through your notes and fill in any gaps.
Store your notes somewhere safe – consider keeping a copy in the cloud.
Use the note taking process to help you make connections between information.
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The Cornell Method
The Cornell method of note taking requires splitting your page into two columns. On the left
is a narrow cue column; on the right is your main note-taking column; and underneath both
columns you write your summary.
Cue column – After your class or reading, pick out the keywords from the further
notes section and put them in this column. This will help you make links and organise
your information.
Further notes – During your class or reading, make notes in this column using the
tips suggested and your own technique.
Summary – Finally, cover the further notes and summarise the keywords (from the
cue column) in this bottom section and reflect on the material identifying gaps and
further reading.
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Last reviewed: September 2024
Review date: Summer 2025
Try it yourself
Watch this video about online filter bubbles and try make notes of your own.
You may want to use the Cornell method for note taking. You can download the Cornell
method template and use it to make your notes.
You can then look at an example model answer.
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Tools for note taking
Google Drive – A collaborative cloud-based app and online tool. Stores and
synchronises across devices to enable collaboration on word process, spreadsheet
and presentation functions.
Evernote – An app and web-based tool for note taking, organising, making lists, and
archiving. To compile formatted text, weblinks, images, voice memos and
handwritten memos.
Google Keep – Is another useful collaborative app to use across devices to save
notes, photos and audio.
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Last reviewed: September 2024
Review date: Summer 2025
Summary
You have reached the end of this resource. This information has been adapted from the
Note Taking tutorial.
See our other Research Skills and Critical Thinking Tutorials for school and college students
See our other Research Skills and Critical Thinking Tutorials for apprentices
Visit our FAQs: Library FAQs
Get in touch: library@sheffield.ac.uk
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References
University of Sheffield: StudySkills@Sheffield (2024) How to make notes. Available at:
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/study-skills/research/reading/make-notes (Accessed: 24
September 2024).
Cornell University: The Learning Strategies Center (n.d.) The Cornell Note-taking System.
Available at: https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-note-taking-system/
(Accessed 24 September 2024).
Cottrell, S. (2013) The study skills handbook. 4th edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Godfrey, J. (2014) Reading and making notes. 2nd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Pariser, E. (2011) Beware online “filter bubbles”. Available at:
https://www.ted.com/talks/eli_pariser_beware_online_filter_bubbles (Accessed: 24
September 2024).
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Full URLs
Cornell method template:
https://librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/Assets/word-docs/preentry/cornell-note-
taking-template.docx
Example model answer using the Cornell method:
https://librarydevelopment.group.shef.ac.uk/Assets/word-docs/preentry/cornell-method-
example.docx
Note taking tutorial:
https://vle.shef.ac.uk/bbcswebdav/xid-47984380_1
Research Skills and Critical Thinking Tutorials for school and college students:
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/library/study/schoolsandcolleges
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Review date: Summer 2025
Research Skills and Critical Thinking Tutorials for apprentices:
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/library/study/apprentices
Library FAQs: https://libraryhelp.shef.ac.uk/
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Last reviewed: September 2024
Review due: Summer 2025
Except otherwise noted, this work by The University of Sheffield Library is licensed under
the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialShareAlike 4.0 International License. To
view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/.
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