The document provides guidance on how to take effective Cornell notes, including pre-reading to understand the structure and key points, taking notes in the structured Cornell format with questions on the left and notes on the right, and finishing each set of notes with a 3-4 sentence summary. Following these Cornell note taking steps can help students organize lecture information, review and study materials effectively, and improve retention of the content.

1. AVID
Mrs. Vinson

2. 1) Pre-read
2) Read with a purpose in mind
3) Participate in class with
synthesis and questions about
reading which teachers clarify,
reinforce, and build upon.

3.  Pre-reading helps students get the “big
picture.”
 By pre-reading, you get a sense of the
structure, purpose, length, and difficulty
level of a piece.
 This can help you know how much time to
devote to it and the repetition of main
points helps you understand and become
more interested in the material!

4. Read the chapter title to get the main
topic of the chapter.
Read the chapter subtitle(s) to get
an idea of the subtopics of the
chapter.
Read any questions or key words at
the beginning of the chapter. They
will guide you to see what is important
in the chapter.

5. Read the intro or 1st paragraph of
the chapter to get an idea of what
material will be covered.
Read each boldfaced subheading to
get the main idea. If it is just a
transition or grabber, go to the 2nd
sentence to see if that is the topic
sentence.

6.  Look for boldfaced type or italics; these
are usually key words that you will need to
be able to define.
 Look over any of the visual aids. Watch
for material that is number 1,2,3; lettered
a,b,c; or presented in list form. Also
graphs, charts, pictures, diagrams, and
maps are put in to help you understand
what is important in the chapter.

7. Read the last paragraph or
summary to get a condensed view of
the chapter and the most important
ideas.
Read quickly any end-of-chapter
material such as study questions
and vocabulary lists. These are
materials you need to know.

8.  1st sentence exercise
 just read the first sentence of each
paragraph
 You should be able to get the gist of the
article!

9.  Annotate!

10.  Take Cornell notes
• Use your pre-reading as a guide on the left hand
side of the CN
• Fill in information from reading on the right hand
side.
• This offers a study and question guide even
before the teacher’s lecture.

11. • Cornell note taking stimulates
critical thinking skills.
• Note taking helps students
remember what is said in class.
• A good set of notes can help
students work on assignments
and prepare for tests outside of
the classroom.

12. First & Last Name
Class Title
Topic Period
Date
Questions,
Subtitles,
Headings,
Class Notes
Etc.
2 1/2”
3 to 4 sentence summary across
the bottom of the last page of the
day’s notes

13. Questions, Don’t forget the heading:
subtitles, Name, Class, Period, Date, Topic
etc. go here,
in the left
hand column.
Remember,
we want
Notes go here, in the
higher level large right hand column.
critical
thinking
questions. A 3 to 4 sentence summary down there
on the bottom of the last page of notes

14. Subject: Why take Cornell notes? Date: 11/20/01
PROCESS Main Ideas (input)
(output)
Can be used to provide an outline of chapter or lecture.
How can Organized by main ideas and details.
Cornell notes Can be as detailed as necessary.
help me Sequential- take notes as they are given by instructor or
-
text in an orderly fashion.
organize my After class, write a summary of what you learned to
ideas? clarify and reinforce learning and to assist retention.
Can be used as study tool:
Which side for 1. Define terms or explain concepts listed on left side.
diagrams? 2. Identify the concept or term on the right side.
Why use Can be used to provide a "big picture" of the chapter or
concept maps? lecture.
Organized by main ideas and sub-topics
Limited in how much detail you can represent.
Simultaneous- you can use this method for instructors
who jump around from topic to topic.
After class, you can add questions to the left side
What are the Can be used as a study tool to get a quick overview
--
benefits to me? and to determine whether you need more information or
need to concentrate your study on specific topics.

15. Subject: Notetaking Date: 11/20/01
Summary:
There are a couple of ways that you can take notes. The Cornell
method is best when the information is given in a sequential, orderly
fashion and allows for more detail. The semantic web/concept map
method works best for instructors who skip around from topic to
topic, and provides a "big picture" when you're previewing
materials or getting ready to study for a test.
• Summary is added at the end of ALL
note pages on the subject (not page)
• Summary added AFTER questions
are finished
• Summary should answer the
problem stated in the subject.

16.  (Overview: quickly scan)
 (Establish a purpose)
 (toanswer questions)
 (answers to questions with
the book closed)
 (Take notes!)
 (at short intervals)

17. P = Purpose
• What is the point of the reading?
 A= Audience
• Who is intended to read this?
 P= Persona
• Author’s perspective, character archetype,
historical context
 A= Argument
• What is the author trying to change/persuade?

18. Be an Active Reader
• Think about the reading
– Consider how the parts relate to the
whole; how the text relates to
previous ideas
– Create questions about new words/
terms, why emphasized points are
important
– Examine what you have
learned from visuals

19. Be Aware of Textbook Organization
• Look for the pattern in elements like
chapter /subsection headings,
summary points, graphics
• Know where to find the index and
glossary

20. Use the text style to identify important points
• Become familiar with the font, symbols,
borders, graphics, colors, and layout
that highlight main ideas or terms
• Be alert to the writer's goal: highlight
ideas/ references /opinions that seem
significant to their
point of view

21. Take notes while reading
• Include headings, key terms, & graphics
• Take down only the important ideas:
brief, but clear
• Summarize in your own words
• Use symbols to highlight for review
• Use textbook review
questions to develop
study questions

22. Review textbook notes
• Identify main ideas
• Fill in details for better understanding
• Identify unclear information and/or
questions - collaborate for answers
• Delete unnecessary information
• Review note organization;
add symbols or rewrite
• Write a summary

23.  Make note of:
Symbols
Images
Figurative Language
Theme

24. Speaker says: “Hippocrates, a
Greek who is considered to be the
Father of modern medicine, was
Born on the island of Cos in
460 B.C.”
Notes say: “Hippocrates (Gr.)
Father of med. B. Cos 460BC”

25. • Use discussion topics/questions
organize your notes
• Use symbols for important ideas
• Include your own responses in notes
• Develop questions to review later
• Add references to other
material as they come
to mind

26. Make use of the format
• Cover the right side of your notes;
review and answer study questions
from the left using the right side as an
answer key
• Quiz yourself out loud
• Cover the right side with blank
paper; write out answers to
the left column study
questions

27. Write!
• Write summaries of the most important
material in the summary/reflection
section
• Write a quiz for others using notes;
exchange and correct
• Write anticipated test questions
beyond those already in the
left-hand column and write
answers

28. Review
• Look over notes frequently to
keep information and questions
still unanswered fresh in mind
• Recite information from notes

29. Study in a Group
• Exchange notes with others to flesh
out information and understanding
• Use notes in study groups to provide a
common ground of material for
reference and review
• Rewrite notes if necessary

30. Draw the problem
Underline and list known
and unknown variables
Find the Formula
Algebra to solve for
unknown
Circle the solution