Cornell Systemof Notes

Based on Powerpoint by W. Hawley at Los Amigos High School, Fountain Valley, CA and Essential Study

Strategies by Walter Pauk, H&H Publishing, Clearwater, FL, 2000

What is the Cornell System?What is the Cornell System?

The Cornell System is a method for note taking that was developed by Walter Pauk more than fifty years ago at Cornell University.

During a lecture: 80% of the time listening to the speaker, 20% of the time writing notes

While reading: 80% of the time reading the text, 20% of the time writing notes

Basic Note Taking Skills: Basic Note Taking Skills: Allotment of TimeAllotment of Time

Lecturer’s Actual words:Lecturer’s Actual words: At Gettysburg, was fought the most decisive battle of the Civil War, marking the turning

point of the struggle between North and South.

Student’s Telegraphic Sentence: Gettysburg-most decisive battle-turning point

Basic Note Taking Skills: Basic Note Taking Skills: Telegraphic SentencesTelegraphic Sentences

How does it workHow does it work?

The secret of the Cornell System is The secret of the Cornell System is the cue/question column, a 2½ the cue/question column, a 2½ inch margin at the left-hand side of inch margin at the left-hand side of each notebook page. It can be each notebook page. It can be drawn in fairly easily with drawn in fairly easily with a ruler and pencil. a ruler and pencil.

The Cue/ Question Column

The 5 Phases of the The 5 Phases of the Cornell SystemCornell System

5 “Rs5 “Rs”

•Record •Reduce •Recite •Reflect •Review

In the note-taking column, record as many meaningful facts and ideas as you can. Use telegraphic sentences. This occurs during the lecture or reading.

Write the date at the top of the note-taking column.

12-3-04

Leave spaces between key ideas.

At least three lines.

Gettysburg-most decisive battle-turning point Lee’s army-many casualties

Vicksburg-Union controls Mississippi River-rise of Grant/Sherman

Gettysburg Address- Lincoln’s new vision of America-”…a new birth of freedom…”

12-3-04

Gettysburg-most decisive battle-turning point Lee’s army-many casualties

Vicksburg-Union controls Mississippi River-rise of Grant/Sherman

Gettysburg Address- Lincoln’s new vision of America-”…a new birth of freedom…”

After class, reduce your notes to short cues or questions and place these in the cue/question column.

Gettysburg

How and why questions are better. Think at higher levels!

Why was the Vicksburg victory important?

Transcendent moment at Gettysburg

12-3-04Cover the note-taking column with a planner or piece of paper. Looking at the cue/ question column, recite aloud and in your own words the full lecture or reading.

Gettysburg

Why was the Vicksburg victory important?

Transcendent moment at Gettysburg

12-3-04

Gettysburg-most decisive battle-turning point Lee’s army-many casualties

Vicksburg-Union controls Mississippi River-rise of Grant/Sherman

Gettysburg Address- Lincoln’s new vision of America-”…a new birth of freedom…”

Reflect upon the significance of the information in the lecture or reading. What principles are they based on? How can I apply them? What’s beyond them? Place the reflection in the reflection/summary area at the bottom of the page.

Gettysburg

Why was the Vicksburg victory important?

Transcendent moment at Gettysburg

In the summer and fall of 1863, the military initiative dramatically shifted in favor of the North. A broader vision of freedom begins to take hold.

Review all notes every week.

The review consists of again covering the note-taking column and reciting the lecture or reading using the cues or questions.

The chances of remembering instruction for the AP Exam or for a lifetime greatly diminish without review.