Steps for Taking TwoColumn Notes

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Steps for Taking Two-Column Notes

• Helpful Hints for taking clear notes that help
  your brain study information.

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Why Two Column Note Taking?

• Helps you to organize information.
• Adds white space so your brain doesnt get
  tired as easily.
• Easier to use when studying for tests.
• Something you can use in all classes for the rest
  of your school career.
• It forces you to take notes instead of copy
  notes.
• Taking notes requires synthesis, analysis, and
  summarization and is more active and time saving.
• Copying notes requires no thought, is passive,
  and takes longer to do.

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How do you do it?

• Step 1 Divide your paper into 2 unequal
  columns. (make the right half larger than the
  left half).

Column 2
Column 1
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How do you do it? (continued)

• Step 2 In the left-hand column, record Just the
  Facts from the text that you are studying
• These facts may include
• Names, dates, places, events that you might be
  expected to know (on a test).
• Important words that you need to define
• Anything that is written in bold or underlined
  (that is usually a clue that it is important)

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For Example

• Organization is
• Elements of Organization

Leave lots of space between entries.
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How do you do it? (continued)

• Step 3 In the right hand column, use
  bullet-points, graphics, and/or abbreviations to
  take notes. NEVER copy exact wording.

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For Example

• Organization is
• Elements of Organization

• Internal structure
• Holds writing together
• Like puzzle
• Direction, purpose, momentum
• Lead attn getter

Leave lots of space between entries.
Leave space here in case you learn more info
later that you can go back and add to this
category.
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Example continued

• Elements of Org (cont)

• Org sequence (order)
• Focus on idea
• Transitions
• conclusion

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How you do it? (continued)

• Rules for notetaking
• NEVER copy things exactly as they are written.
• Dnt ovr abr cz u ll b cfsd
• Dont over abbreviate because you will be
  confused
• If abbr, undrstnd what u write.
• Do a maximum of 4 notes per page.
• If you jam more info on one page, you are either
  not choosing important stuff to note or you are
  not writing enough about each entry.
• Avoid Sentences. Use phrases. Jottings.
• You dont have to be told to do it by your
  teacher
• If you are reading a text or listening to a
  lecture that you know will be important, go ahead
  and try it.
• If you are told to take notes, try this method
  (unless youre told to do it in some other
  specific way).

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Advanced Two-Column Notes

• How can two column notes be expressed in a
  Thinking Map?
• Can/Are thinking maps and two-column notes
  related?
• What Thinking Maps (if any) could be a substitute
  for two-column notes?

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