Cornell Note Taking System: What is It and How to Use It?

2024-12-12 16:46:34 • Filed to: PDF App Edit Tips • Proven solutions

The Cornell note taking system first devised at Cornell University is a fantastic educational aid. In today's modern economy students are required to learn in a very fast-paced environment, so it is more important than ever to ensure the techniques they use optimize their learning effectively. Devised in the 1940's, the Cornell note-taking method has stood the test of time and remains popular today.

Here let's look a little more in-depth now at how the Cornell note taking works, and how to use it effectively in study.

#1: What is Cornell note taking?
#2: How to take Cornell note
#3: Cornell note taking template in PDF
#4: Cornell note taking template in Google Docs, Word

What is Cornell note taking?

Cornell note-taking is an effective method created by Walter Pauk at Cornell University in the 1940s. It organizes your notes into specific sections, making it easier to record and review key information.

This structured approach helps students enhance their study skills and improve information retention. Although it may seem confusing at first, once you understand its layout, you'll find Cornell note-taking a valuable tool for your academic success.

How to take Cornell note

The Cornell note-taking system is an effective method for organizing your study materials. Each Cornell note page consists of four key sections: a title block, a cue column, a note-taking column, and a summary section.

Title Block (Optional)

At the top of the page, include a title block where you write the course name, such as "Introduction to Economics" or "Philosophy 101." This sets the context for your notes.

Below the title, the page is divided into three main sections: a large bottom section (footer) and two columns in the main area, creating a clear structure for your notes.

Note-Taking Column

The note-taking column, or body, is the primary section of your Cornell notes. Here, you expand on the key points noted in the margin. For instance, if you write "Asia" in the margin, you can elaborate in the body with details like "Asia has a population of 4.436 billion."

This section is crucial for capturing detailed information and context, making it the most important part of the Cornell note-taking system. The simplicity of this method allows for easy connections between key topics and supporting details, enhancing comprehension and retention.

Cue Column

On the left side of the page, the cue column serves as a space for key concepts and terms. For example, if you’re studying geography, you might list major continents like "Asia," "Africa," "North America," "South America," "Australia," and "Europe." This organized approach helps you quickly locate relevant information and reinforces your understanding of the material.

Summary Section

At the bottom of the page, the summary section provides a brief conclusion of the content covered in both the margin and the body. Summarizing after each class or lecture, and at the end of every page, is essential. Your summary should answer the question, "Why is this important?" This reflection solidifies your understanding and retention of the material.

When the Cornell note is used in this way, it becomes an incredibly powerful tool for education. A margin that introduces a topic, a body that expands on it, and a footer that summarizes it. And it does this on each and every page!

Cornell note taking template in PDF

The Cornell note-taking system can be implemented using both traditional pen and paper and digital formats. For instance, a digital Cornell note-taking PDF template allows for easy editing and organization. Unlike paper, digital notes can be quickly modified, making it simple to correct mistakes while maintaining the system's structure.

The quickest way to take Cornell notes is to download a Cornell note-taking PDF template and then edit with a PDF editor. Wondershare PDFelement - PDF Editor Wondershare PDFelement Wondershare PDFelement is an easy-to-use PDF editor that enables you take Cornell notes on iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac like a breeze. Here’s how PDFelement can enhance your note-taking and improve your study efficiency.

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Create Cornell notes in PDF easily from a PDF, Word, or Google Docs template or from scratch.
Add or edit notes in PDF.
Add comments, and annotations to your notes, ebooks, and research papers in PDF easily.
Summarize, rewrite, proofread, ask PDF with AI assistant powered by ChatGPT.
Convert Cornell notes to PDF, Word, Excel, Text, and more.
Combine or split Cornell notes in PDF.

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Cornell note taking template in Google Docs, Word

You can easily create a Cornell note in Microsoft Word or Google Docs. Here are the steps.

Open a new Word document.
You can start by creating the cue & note-taking column. Insert a table of 2 columns and 30-40 rows.
Select the first column and click Merge Cells. Here you have the cue column.
Select the second column and customize the Height as you like.
Then enter another table on the bottom as the summaries column

There are also many free Cornell note templates in .doc, .docx that you can download and use directly.