Note taking
- 2. Taking good notes is one of several keys to academic success.
- 3. CORNELL NOTE TAKING THE PROCESS • Step One: RECORD • Step Two: QUESTION • Step Three: RECITE • Step Four: REFLECT • Step Five: RECAPITULATE • Step Six: REVIEW
- 4. STEP ONE: RECORD • Prepare your note paper by creating a two column table. • Summarized and paraphrase the facts and ideas presented. • Indicate charges in topic with headings or by leaving a space between topics. • Number, indent, or bullet key ideas presented with each topic. • Aim for brief sentences, abbreviations and symbols. • Write legibly so your notes make sense to you later. • Edit as soon as possible.
- 5. STEP TWO: QUESTION • Formulate test questions based on the information recorded in notes and write them in the recall clues column in the left hand side of notes. Questions should focus on specific definitions and "big ideas".
- 6. STEP THREE: RECITE 1. Recitation means explaining the information in the notes out loud, in your own words. The information should be triggered by the test questions in the recall clues column. 2. Purpose of recitation: a. Improves learning: Reciting aloud is a powerful technique for anchoring information in the long term
- 7. b. Ensures understanding: Reciting requires you to think about and understand the information you are committing to memory. c. Facilities Retrieval Understanding information improves your ability to retrieve your memory.
- 8. 3. Step in recitation: a. Cover up the notes in the "record" column or fold notes back along line separating the "clues" from the "record" column. b. Use recall clues to stimulate your memory and recite the relevant information. c. Check your answer. This gives you immediate feedback on how well you have learned and are able to retrieve the information.
- 9. STEP FOUR: REFLECT 1. Reflection has to do with thinking about the information you are learning. 2. One way to reflect is to look for connections with your own experiences and observations and with other facts and ideas discussed in class. 3. Another way to reflect is to ask question.
- 10. STEP FIVE: RECAPITULATE 1. Write a summary of the main ideas using your own words. 2. Use a section at the bottom of each sheet of notes to write your summary.
- 11. STEP SIX: REVIEW 1. A good guideline is to review nightly or several times. 2. Frequent review, brief review sessions aid more complete.