How to use the Cornell 5R note taking method

Mondo Education Updated on 2024-01-31

The Cornell note-taking method was invented by Walter Pauk, a professor at Cornell University in the United States. The Cornell Method is a systematic and complete note-taking method that covers the entire process from in-class notes to post-class review. The Cornell note-taking method is also known as the "5R note-taking method". These five words that begin with r also correspond to the five key steps of using Cornell's note-taking method. Here's how to do it:

First, divide the notebook into three parts: "big right, small left, long bottom". The right part is called the "Main Column";The left part is the "sub-column", and the lower part is the "summary area".

record.

The first r is "record". In the "main column" on the right, we record the content of the teacher's lecture in real time, focusing on the new knowledge points and cases written on the classroom board, but there is no need to "dictate" the teacher's original words in class word by word. Therefore, this step is very simple to understand, and it is the most familiar to students with "taking notes in class".

reduce, simplify, abbreviate.

The second r is "reduce", which is simplified and abbreviated, corresponding to the second step of Cornell's note-taking method. Take 10-15 minutes as soon as possible after class to review the content of the notes recorded in the main column during class, and then extract the core knowledge points in them, and write them into the "sub-column" on the left in the form of keywords, key phrases and short sentences. This is also the first step in the extension of the Cornell note-taking method from the classroom to the after-class.

recite, memorize, memorize.

The third r is "recite", memorization, memorization. At the end of the day, take another 10-15 minutes, take out your notebook, cover the main column with your hand, look at only the key summary in the sub-column, and then repeat and memorize the class content as completely as possible.

reflect, think, review.

The fourth R is "reflect", which is an extension of the third step, Recite. In this link, you only need to do one very simple thing: write down your feelings about listening to the lecture and the difficulties and problems encountered in reviewing the notes in the previous step in the "summary area" at the bottom of the page.

review, review.

The fifth step is "review". In the next few days after listening to the class, according to your actual learning situation, you should review your notes for n times for 10-15 minutes each time. The "n" here is entirely up to you, and if you still don't have a good grasp of what you've learned in class after the first few steps, you can review it multiple timesOtherwise, you can "go over and over again". When reviewing, try to read the summary of key knowledge points in the sub-column first, try to recall the relevant content, and then return to the main column to carefully review all the knowledge points and corresponding details.

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