RESOURCES AT JOHN JAY

Charting Method

In the Charting Method, notes are entered into a table under appropriate headings. This method is useful when the subject matter can be divided into distinct categories. It comes in handy when you have to write down and organize a lot of information quickly. The method provides an overview of course content at a glance, but you have to know what will be covered in the lecture so you can set up the chart and headings before the lecture begins.

HOW THE CHARTING METHOD WORKS	WHAT IT IS USEFUL FOR	ADVANTAGES	DISADVANTAGES
1. Make a chart before the lecture begins. Include a column for every category that will be presented in the lecture.	Good for subject matter that can be divided into categories	Gives an overview at a glance; easy for studying	You need to know what the lecture will be about before you set up your chart before the lecture begins.
2. Label each category across the top with a heading.	Useful when you know what the lecture will be about beforehand	Good structure to help you make sense of your notes	It is difficult to use it you do not set up the categories correctly. For example, what if a new category dawns on you after the lecture is underway?
3. Fill in each category during the lecture.		Allows for concise notes	Not ideal for material that does not fall into clear categories.

Example

You can take notes on a lecture or a reading. Click on the excerpt button to your left to see an excerpt from "Cell Division I: The Cell Cycle," Visionlearning. Then read the sample notes below.

You Write:

TYPES OF CELLS	EXAMPLES	CHARACTERISTICS	HOW CELLS DIVIDE	PHASES
Prokaryotess	bacteria	No nucleus	Binary fission	No distinct phases of cell division
Eukaryotes	plants, animals, fungi Protists	Cells have nucleus	Go through distinct phases of division	1. G1 = cell grows; prepares for split 2. S = DNA copies itself in nucleus 3. G2 = cell checks/corrects DNA duplication errors 4. M (mitosis) = nucleus splits in 2