The Cornell method turns ordinary notes into a study tool. It was developed by Walter Pauk at Cornell University in the 1950s and has stayed popular because it builds review into the way you take notes.
The page layout
- Notes area (right, the largest part): your notes from the lecture or reading.
- Cue column (left, narrow): keywords and questions you add afterwards.
- Summary box (bottom): a short summary of the page in your own words.
- Heading (top): topic, date and class.
The five Rs
- Record. During the lesson, write facts, ideas and examples in the notes area. Use short phrases rather than full sentences, and leave gaps between topics.
- Reduce. Soon after class, read through the notes and write keywords, questions and prompts in the cue column. Aim for questions that the notes answer.
- Recite. Cover the notes area, look at the cues and say the answers out loud, then check yourself.
- Reflect. Think about how the ideas connect to what you already know. Write a line or two of your own thoughts.
- Review. Go back over the cues briefly every week. Short, spaced reviews work better than one long session before an exam.
Writing a good summary
Finish the page by summarising it in two or three sentences without looking at the notes. If you cannot, that part needs another look. The summary is also the quickest way to find a page later.
Tips for making it work
- Use the same layout for every page so you can find things quickly.
- Number your pages and keep notes in a binder or folder.
- Draw diagrams in the notes area. Use the Blank notes area preset if you want room to sketch.
- For reading rather than lectures, write page numbers beside your notes.
Adjusting the template
The classic proportions use a cue column about 2.5 inches wide and a summary box about 2 inches tall. If your handwriting is small, narrow the cue column. Use landscape orientation when you take a lot of notes on diagrams.
Print a page from the Cornell notes generator and try it in your next class.