Cornell notes

The Cornell Note Taking System

1. Cornell Note
Taking
A method of note
taking used when
reading or viewing
new material.

2. Steps in Cornell Note Taking
1. Organize your paper, draw a
large, off centered capital I.

3. Steps in Cornell Note Taking
2. Write the topic,
name and date
above the top line.
3. While reading or
viewing the
material, take notes
in the large portion
of the I.
Write topic, name, and date here.
Save this spot for the summary.
Notes and
drawings will
go here.

4. Steps in Cornell Note Taking
4.After reading or
viewing the new
material and
taking notes,
use those notes
to pull out:
•Main Ideas
•Key Points
•Important Dates
Write topic, name, and date here.
Save this spot for the summary.
Notes and
drawings will
go here.
Main
Ideas, key
points,
and
important
dates
here

5. Steps in Cornell Note Taking
5. The bottom section
is for the summary. A
summary is a few key
sentences that sum
up the key points and
main ideas.
* Ask yourself, “If I was
going to explain this to
someone else, what
would I say?”
Write topic, name, and date here.
Summary
Notes and
drawings will
go here.
Main
Ideas, key
points,
and
important
dates
here

6. Steps in Cornell Note Taking
6. Study for a test or
quiz.

•Reread your notes in the
right column.
•Focus on understanding
the key ideas in the left
column.
•The key ideas are the
most important things –
you are likely going to see
them on a test.
Write topic, name, and date here.
Reread
Reread for
examples
S
T
U
D
Y

7. Steps in Cornell Note Taking
6. Study for a test or
quiz.

•Reread your notes in the
right column.
•Focus on understanding
the key ideas in the left
column.
•The key ideas are the
most important things –
you are likely going to see
them on a test.
Write topic, name, and date here.
Reread
Reread for
examples
S
T
U
D
Y