NOTE TAKING SYSTEMS
HARVARD
This is the outlining form most students are familiar with. It is best for textbooks, with
many facts and a clear organization. The main difficulty is that it is easy to get
confused with the Roman numerals.
 Write down the main idea of at least every other paragraph.
 Use phrases, not complete sentences
 Where you have a I, you have to have a II; where you have an A, you have to
have a B
 You don't need sub ideas
Title
I. Main Idea
A. Sub Idea
B. Sub Idea
i. Sub Idea of this sub idea B
a. Sub Idea of sub idea i
b. Sub Idea of sub idea i
c. Sub Idea of sub idea I
ii. Sub Idea of sub idea B
C. Sub idea
II. Main Idea
III. Main idea
CORNELL
This is best for classes with lectures that follow the textbook.
Draw a line down the side of your note paper about 2.5 inches from the left margin. To
the left note the main ideas from the textbook; on the right note ideas from the lecture,
including comments from other students. Be sure to abbreviate and use illustrations—
don’t copy power point slides without thinking.
NOTES FROM
TEXTBOOK
*
NOTES FROM CLASS
SUMMARIZING
Summarizing means putting the main idea of the writing in your own words. You
are trying to unravel the organization of the writer. What is the thesis? What evidence
is used to support it?
First read the writing, noting the main ideas and key terms of each paragraph.
(Look for the topic sentences, usually the first sentence of the paragraph.)
Using as many key terms as possible, write the summary in 50 words. (About five
to six sentences, which is standard length for a paragraph.)
WHAT OUTLINING AND SUMMARIZING IS NOT: copying the writing word for word.
OUTLINE WITH SQRRL
With appreciation to “THE SQ3R METHOD OF STUDY”, Francis P Robinson, Effective Study. 3rd edition, (
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1960). http://www.odessa.edu/dept/govt/dille/brian/courses/1100Orientation/SQ3R.pdf
This method puts the student’s thinking first. The more questions you ask while
reading, the easier it will be to write an essay on the topic.
S SURVEY Glance over the chapter and write down what the chapter will be about,
what time period, and what main events will be discussed.
Q QUESTION Turn each heading into a question starting with HOW, WHY, or TO WHAT
EXTENT
R READ Your brain is now turned on! Write down at least three facts for every
question/section. Define all unfamiliar terms. Interpret graphs. Note dates and
names.
R REVIEW As you read, continue to think. Create at least one question of material you
did not understand OR would like someday to learn more about.
L LEARN or Reflect, but that wouldn’t be as cute  Write a short reflection on the
writing; how did it make you feel? If there were differences of opinion discussed, whose
side are you on?