Note-taking formats

Over time you will develop a note-taking format that best suits your personal way of working. In this section you will find examples of five different formats, some of which you might like to try.

This section presents a number of different formats that you can use for taking notes in lectures. This section portrays five different approaches ot note-taking.
There is no ‘best format’. You may want to use elements of a few different approaches. Ultimately, you will discover a strategy that best fits your personal needs: this will be the format that enhances and enriches your learning experience

Two-column strategy

For this method divide your page into two columns using the approximate proportions as shown in the diagram. Write your notes from the lecture in the wider right-hand column and add memory cues as you see fit in the left-hand column. Finally, write a summary at the end of your notes. See the examples below.

Example 1: Two-column strategy: Archaeology

Example 2: Two-column strategy: Science

Example 3: Two-column strategy: Mathematics

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