Taking Lecture Notes

the Cornell Way

The Cornell Method of note-taking is a systematic process for taking and organizing notes. The
method uses a specifically formatted page and a process to take notes and utilize them later
as study material.

BEFORE LECTURE DURING LECTURE AFTER LECTURE

Read the assignment Arrive early & sit where you Review within 24 hours to
can hear the instructor, see aid retention
Survey the reading the screen, and minimize
Titles, subtitles, summary distractions Reorganize
Record the main ideas/details/ Emphasize or underline
Prepare notebook for important points
examples
lecture notes in Cornell Rewrite for legibility
Use abbreviations & symbols
format avoid long sentences Add relevant material
paraphrase long ideas Add structure & show
Review the summary from connections
the previous lecture Use proper organizational
form Write summary section
Listing (1, 2, 3)
Sequencing (before/after) Write cue section
Compare/contrast Turn important points from
Cause/effect
notes into questions or cue
Summary
words
Too fast?
Focus on main ideas and Cover notes section & use
concepts cue section to recite the
Leave space to fill in missed
notes in your own words
information after lecture

Right side of Paper - Notes

PREPARE
Left side of Paper - Cues For:
For: Recording lecture
Main Ideas
NOTES When:
YOUR

Questions that connect

CUES During class
points
Diagrams
Prompts to help you
Bottom of Paper - Summary
study
For:
When: Top-level main ideas
Before class Quick reference
During class
After class SUMMARY When:
After class
Before next class (review)

Purdue University Academic Success Center