ACADEMIC PLANNING

Success Strategies

Note Taking
Two-Column Method

The Two-Column Method can be used for taking notes while reading or while listening to a lecture. On a piece of notebook paper, draw a column one third of the way in from the left margin. In the left column, write down main ideas or topics. In the larger right column, add definitions, details, and examples. You can fold this lager section back and quiz yourself on details to prepare for a test. Likewise, you can look at the section with details and quiz yourself on main ideas.

This method looks like the Cornell Method, but there is a key difference. Instead of taking notes only in the right column and later recording key words and questions in the left column to prompt recall, in the Two-Column Method you listen for the main idea, which you write in the left column. Then you listen for details, examples, and explanations, which you note in the right column directly across from the topic they support.

First
, write the main topic or chapter title and date here.

Second
, in this column write down
  • Main ideas or topics

(these could be headings in a textbook chapter or topics in a lecture)

These will be cues to help you study later.

Fourth
, fold your paper to show only one column so you can quiz yourself on the material.

  • Look at the main ideas in the left-hand column and recall the definitions and supporting details in the right-hand column, or
Look at the details in the right-hand column and recall the main ideas in the left-hand column.

Third

, in this column write supporting details.

These could include

  • definitions
  • meaningful facts
  • supporting details
  • examples

Tips:

  • Use abbreviations where possible.
  • Write telegraphically, so instead of “Bacteria cells do not have a nucleus” you could simply write “Bacteria cells – no nucleus.”
  • Leave a space between last detail in this column and next main idea in case you wish to add more details later. This also helps you find information while studying.
  • Write legibly!

EXCERPT
Cell Division I: The Cell Cycle
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 explore the sample notes below by moving your mouse over the colored text.

You Write:

Cell Life Cycles 9/26/xx
Main Ideas Details
Eukaryotic cell cycle phases
  • G1 phase – cell grows to prepare for split
  • S phase – DNA inside nucleus copies itself
  • G2 phase, cell checks/corrects errors in DNA duplication
  • M phase (mitosis) –  nucleus splits into 2 identical nuclei.  Cytokinesis – cell division follows immed.

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Eukaryotic cells - examples
  • plants
  • animals
  • fungi
  • Protists
Prokaryotic cells - examples

Bacteria and others
Characteristics of prokaryotes
  • No nucleus
  • No distinct phases of cell division
Division in prokaryotes
  • simpler than in eukaryotes
  • no distinguishable phases.
  • divide by binary fission
  • no mitosis

Cornell Method
Outlining Method