The Cornell Method

The Cornell method provides a systematic format for condensing and organizing notes
without laborious recopying. After writing the notes in the main space, use the left-hand
space to label each idea and detail with a key word or "cue."

Method

Rule your paper with a 2 ½ inch margin on the left leaving a six-inch area on the right in
which to make notes. During class, take down information in the six-inch area. When the
instructor moves to a new point, skip a few lines. After class, complete phrases and
sentences as much as possible. For every significant bit of information, write a cue in the
left margin. To review, cover your notes with a card, leaving the cues exposed. Say the
cue out loud, then say as much as you can of the material underneath the card. When you
have said as much as you can, move the card and see if what you said matches what is
written. If you can say it, you know it.

Advantages

Organized and systematic for recording and reviewing notes. Easy format for pulling out
major concept and ideas. Simple and efficient. Saves time and effort. "Do-it-right-in-the-
first-place" system.

Disadvantages

None

When to Use

In any lecture situation.

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The Outlining Method

1. The information which is most general begins at the left with each more specific group
of facts indented with spaces to the right.
2. The relationships between the different parts is carried out through indenting.
3. No numbers, letters, or Roman numerals are needed.

Method

Listening and then write in points in an organized pattern based on space indention. Place
major points farthest to the left. Indent each more specific point to the right. Levels of
importance will be indicated by distance away from the major point. Indention can be as
simple as or as complex as labeling the indentations with Roman numerals or decimals.
Markings are not necessary as space relationships will indicate the major/minor points.

Advantages

Well-organized system if done right. Outlining records content as well as relationships. It

Disadvantages

Requires more thought in class for accurate organization. This system may not show
relationships by sequence when needed. It doesn't lend to diversity of a review attach for
maximum learning and question application. This system cannot be used if the lecture is
too fast.

When to Use

The outline format can be used if the lecture is presented in outline organization. This
may be either deductive (regular outline) or inductive (reverse outline where minor
points start building to a major point). Use this format when there is enough time in the
 lecture to think about and make organization decisions when they are needed. This

format can be most effective when your note taking skills are super sharp and you can
handle the outlining regardless of the note taking situation.

Example:

 Extrasensory perception
 definition: means of perceiving without use of sense organs.
 three kinds
 telepathy: sending messages
 clairvoyance: forecasting the future
 psychokinesis: perceiving events external to situation
 current status
 no current research to support or refute
 few psychologists say impossible
 door open to future
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The Mapping Method

Advantages

This format helps you to visually track your lecture regardless of conditions. Little
thinking is needed and relationships can easily be seen. It is also easy to edit your notes
by adding numbers, marks, and color coding. Review will call for you to restructure
thought processes which will force you to check understanding. Review by covering lines
for memory drill and relationships. Main points can be written on flash or note cards and
pieced together into a table or larger structure at a later date.
Disadvantages

You may not hear changes in content from major points to facts.

When to Use

Use when the lecture content is heavy and well-organized. May also be used effectively
when you have a guest lecturer and have no idea how the lecture is going to be
presented.

Example:

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The Charting Method

Method
Determine the categories to be covered in the lecture. Set up your paper in advance by
columns headed by these categories. As you listen to the lecture, record information
(words, phrases, main ideas, etc.) into the appropriate category.

Advantages

Helps you track conversation and dialogues where you would normally be confused and
lose out on relevant content. Reduces amount of writing necessary. Provides easy review
mechanism for both memorization of facts and study of comparisons and relationships.

Disadvantages

Few disadvantages except learning how to use the system and locating the appropriate
categories. You must be able to understand what's happening in the lecture

When to Use

Test will focus on both facts and relationships. Content is heavy and presented fast. You
want to reduce the amount of time you spend editing and reviewing at test time. You
want to get an overview of the whole course on one big paper sequence.

Example:

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The Sentence Method

Write every new thought, fact or topic on a separate line, numbering as you progress.
Advantages

Slightly more organized than the paragraph. Gets more or all of the information. Thinking
to tract content is still limited.

Disadvantages

Can't determine major/minor points from the numbered sequence. Difficult to edit
without having to rewrite by clustering points which are related. Difficult to review
unless editing cleans up relationship.

When to Use

Use when the lecture is somewhat organized, but heavy with content which comes fast.
You can hear the different points, but you don't know how they fit together. The
instructor tends to present in point fashion, but not in grouping such as "three related
points."

Three Examples:

Example 1:
A revolution is any occurrence that affects other aspects of life, such as economic life,
social life, and so forth. Therefore revolutions cause change. (See page 29 to 30 in your text
about this.)

Sample Notes:
Revolution - occurrence that affects other aspects of life: e.g., econ., socl., etc. C.f. text, pp.
29-30

Example 2:
Melville did not try to represent life as it really was. The language of Ahab, Starbuck, and
Ishmael, for instance, was not that of real life.

Sample Notes:
Mel didn't repr. life as was; e.g., lang. of Ahab, etc. not of real life.
Example 3:
At first, Freud tried conventional, physical methods of treatment such as giving baths,
massages, rest cures, and similar aids. But when these failed, he tried techniques of
hypnosis that he had seen used by Jean-Martin Charcot. Finally, he borrowed an idea
from Jean Breuer and used direct verbal communication to get an unhypnotized patient to
reveal unconscious thoughts.

Sample Notes:
Freud 1st -- used phys. trtment; e.g., baths, etc. This fld. 2nd -- used hypnosis (fr. Charcot)
Finally -- used dirct vrb. commun. (fr. Breuer) - got unhynop, patnt to reveal uncons.
thoughts.