WRITING
FOR SUCCESS
Cornell Style Notes
Writing for Understanding-
The more you write about what you are learning,
the more you will understand all of the information that you need to remember.This
section on writing shows you all the important ways to use writing to understand,
to remember, to analyze, to reflect, to think, as well as to develop essays
for class assignments.
Class and book notes form the foundation for students’
success in academic class and for study groups.Again
and again, students say that their ability to take good, Cornell style
notes help them be successful in high school, a job right after high school,
community college, four-year colleges and universities, and also in their
new careers.Learn to take thorough,
useable reference-handy notes from school lectures, books, discussion,
films, and work-related activities.This
takes time, practice, and familiarity with the note taking strategies.
Cornell style notes have been used in law schools
for many years.It is now being used
in high schools, middle schools, and junior high schools across the country.
TAKE YOUR NOTES IN THIS FORMAT
Topic
Name
Class
Date
________________________________________________________________________
The left hand side is used
Mark a wide left margin (approx. 1/3 of the page).
for study questions and
main ideas.
Right-hand side is used for specific information.
While taking notes, write in the right hand column.
Use abbreviations. (See essential study skills)
Within 24 hours of taking
notes, develop study questions
Paraphrase to capture content but simplify writing.
and identify main ideas about
specifics in the right hand
Use symbols (arrows, circles) or highlight important
comlumn
information, ideas/words that are unclear,
relationships between ideas/information.
Include graphics (figures, charts) when relevant.
Skip lines between ideas.
At end of note taking write a summary paragraph.
Back to How to be Successful in Class