Cornell Notes are used to identify and summarize key points. To create Cornell Notes, draw a vertical line two to three inches from the left side of a piece of notebook paper and three-quarters of the way down. Draw a horizontal line directly below the vertical line. Record topics, phrases, lists, or examples in the larger column on the right. Later, review the notes and record the main ideas in the column on the left for a quick reference. Write a summary of the notes in the remaining section at the bottom of the paper.
Mapping visually separates topics, subtopics, and examples. The benefit of mapping is that different symbols and colors can be used, and lines can be drawn between ideas to make connections. Turn a piece of notebook paper horizontally to create more space for your note map. Write the main topic in the center. Draw a line outward from the main topic and label the end of the line with a subtopic. Repeat this step according to the number of subtopics. To record more specific details or examples, draw another line outward from the subtopic and record the information. After recording notes, review them and draw arrows between similar ideas.
Outlines organize main topics, definitions, and examples. To create an outline, write Roman Numerals along the margin of notebook paper to record main topics. Indent lines below and write uppercase letters to record definitions. Continue to indent and use alternating numbers and lowercase letters to record information as it becomes more specific. Review outlines by highlighting or circling important or related information.
SQ3R is an acronym for Survey, Question, Read, Recite, Review, which is a strategy that identifies a purpose for reading to aid in note taking. To complete SQ3R, survey the text and identify signal words like subtitles, charts, bold words, etc. Create questions about the signal words by using the who-what-when-where-why strategy to narrow the focus of individual sections. Read one section at a time and pay attention to the information highlighted in the surveying step. Recite an answer to each question and record it with examples from the section. Review the notes after reading the chapter by summarizing the main ideas.