1. TAKING NOTES

2. Why Take Notes?
 Focuses your attention on the lecture content
 Makes studying easier
 Information retention is greater for note
takers
GS 101

3. GS 101
Three Common Note-Taking Systems
The Outline Technique
The Cornell System
The Mapping System

4. The Outline Technique
 Organizes information using:
 Headings and subheadings
 Hierarchical order
 Best Practice:
 Write down information during the lecture
 Organize into an outline after the lecture
GS 101

5. The Cornell System
 Divide page into two vertical sections
 Section A: questions about information in Section B
 Section B: actual notes from lecture
 Can be modified to include a third section
across the bottom of the page
 Section C: additional summary comments
 Referred to as a “T System” because it resembles an
upside-down T
GS 101

6. The Mapping System
 Pictures of information
 Illustrates relationships
GS 101

7. If you get lost while taking
notes
 Politely ask the instructor to repeat the
information or slow down
 If the instructor is unable repeat or slow down
 Leave a blank space with a question mark where
the missed
 information should appear
 Obtain the missed information from the instructor
or a classmate after class
GS 101

8. Using your laptop
 Set up your computer prior to class
 Be respectful of other students; some might
be annoyed by the tapping of keys
 Do not worry about spelling or grammar;
these can be corrected later
 Set tabs for specific note-taking systems prior
to class
GS 101

9. Use the system that works for
you!
GS 101