TWO-COLUMN NOTES
Power 1: Main Idea, Chapter Title, Etc.
Power 2s
Power 3s
Questions, Section Headings,
Vocabulary, Subtopics, etc.
Answers, Details, Definitions, Elaboration, etc.
Two Column Notes (Note Taking and Studying)
Two Column Notes help you organize your notes from subject area reading
assignments or lectures into Main Ideas and Supporting Details.
Divide your paper into two columns. Label the left hand column Main Ideas and
the right had column Supporting Details.
As you take notes place all Main Ideas to the left, and their Supporting Details to
the right.
Do NOT use complete sentences in your notes.
Use brief phrases to summarize ideas. Write the information in your own words.
Example Using an article titled "Oceans Zones".
By folding the paper in between the Main Ideas and the Supporting Details, you
now have Main ideas on one side of the fold and Supporting Details on the other.
This is used as a study aid for quizzes and tests.
While looking at the Main Ideas side, try to recall the supporting details to these.
The Main Ideas are the items many teachers will be asking information about
during tests and quizzes.
Main Ideas
Supporting Details
What are the ocean 1. Sunlight
zones?
2. Twilight
Changes
3. Midnight
Sunlight zone, top
layer
1. Visibility
2. Temperature
3. Pressure
Surface - down 300 feet
65º F surface to 56º at
300 feet
90% of all known sea
creatures
Supports plant life