Note Taking

Taking notes is a way of organizing information. If done well, your notes will allow you to access information easily. You may need to access information to write a research paper, to revise for an exam, or to develop your ideas.

Some of the keys to note taking include:

- Write notes by hand
- When summarizing, don't write everything down
- Include diagrams, drawings, etc.

Research into how students learn has shown that typing or photographing notes is less effective than handwriting notes. We expect students to take notes by hand to improve learning in the classroom and when completing homework.

Cornell Note Taking

The Cornell Note Taking system is the method we recommend. In this system of note taking, a header is used to identify the topic or subject of your notes (i.e. Chapter 4: Ecosystems).

A small left-hand column is used for writing the names of the key concepts, events or ideas.

A large right-hand column is used for organizing details and diagrams related to each of the key concepts, events or ideas.

The footer of the notes can be used for either 1) a summary of the notes, or 2) asking and answering a complex, open-ended question that requires applying the notes.

For more information on the Cornell Note Taking system, use the James Madison University site.

Note Taking in Different Subjects

There are many ways of organizing your notes, and Cornell Note Taking can work for many subjects.

For Studies in Language and Literature subjects, Cornell Notes can be used to organize quotes or evidence that indicates voice, theme, atmosphere, literary techniques, stylistic features, etc.
For Individuals and Societies subjects, Cornell Notes can be used to organize case studies, theories, events, etc.
For the Sciences, Cornell Notes can be use to organize definitions, descriptions of processes or mechanisms, models used to explain scientific phenomena, etc.

Here is an example from DP History:

Here is an example from DP Biology:

Some subjects may not use this form of Note Taking. For example, Visual Art might lend itself better to a less structured, more creative and free form style; however, even in a more creative style, the Artist seeks to use their notes to organize information effectively.

Organizing the Artist's or Designer's workbook:

Experimentation
Documenting the process
Analysis of artistic approaches

Kupperstein, Russ. Cornell Note Taking Example: Biology. N.p.: n.p., 1 Aug. 2011. PDF.

Miller, Sean. Cornell Note Taking Example: History. N.p.: n.p., n.d. PDF.

Ramirez, Ainissa. "The Lowdown on Longhand: How Writing by Hand Benefits the Brain." Edutopia. N.p., 6 Aug. 2014. Web.

Song, Aspasie. Artist's Workbook. 2013. Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

"The Learning Toolbox - Cornell Notes." The Learning Toolbox - Cornell Notes. James Madison University, n.d. Web. 04 Mar. 2015.

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