7.1: Reading - Annotation Strategies

Think about the following:

1. What is the best way to get ready for taking notes so that the process is most helpful?
2. What specific methods can improve how notes are taken?
3. Why is it important to review and add comments to notes after the note-taking session?

Notes do more than record what is read or heard. They help organize ideas and make sense of new topics, so note-taking and reading work well together. Taking notes keeps attention on key questions. During lectures or presentations, notes help follow main ideas and simplify information. Good notes build on existing knowledge, show patterns in the material, and point out areas needing more research or study.

Figure 4.7 Strong notes build on your prior knowledge of a subject, help you discuss trends or patterns present in the information, and direct you toward areas needing further research or reading. (Credit: Betsy Weber / Flickr Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY 2.0))

Here is the rewritten passage, using clear headings, concise language, and examples focused on online classes. The main ideas are preserved and made accessible for intermediate-level students:

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Focus on Main Ideas, Not Every Word

Trying to write down every single word a speaker says is not helpful and makes it easy to miss important points. Instead, listen for main ideas and separate them from supporting details. Use simple abbreviations to write examples that explain these ideas.

Use Notes as Study Guides

Notes work best when used actively after class. If notes are not reviewed and organized, they may not help much. Research shows that most students forget much of what they record—up to 60–75 percent—within two days if they do not review their notes. Reviewing notes soon after class and checking them often improves memory.

Practice and Memory

Learning something new, like a music piece, is hard at first. Frequent review and practice make it easier to remember. Good note-taking habits develop in the same way—through repetition and review.

Importance of Note-Taking

Taking notes helps organize thoughts, prepare for class discussions, and study for exams. Successful notes make learning easier and improve participation. Improving note-taking skills can lead to better results in college and at work.

Analysis Question

What is your favorite note-taking method? When did you start using it? Has it helped you? What other methods could work well for you?

Getting Ready to Take Notes

Be ready to take notes by thinking about why notes are important. Choose a note-taking system that works best for each situation. Learn to use efficient shorthand for faster note-taking.

Organizing Notes

Everyone has different note-taking habits. The most helpful notes are organized and easy to review. Keep notes together for each class, like in a binder or organized computer files. Well-arranged notes save time and help with study.

Handwritten or Computer Notes?

Research shows that the format—handwriting or typing—is less important than how notes are used later. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Choose the method that matches personal needs and helps the most with reviewing and learning.

Figure 4.8 The best notes are the ones you take in an organized manner. Frequent review and further annotation are important to build a deep and useful understanding of the material. (Credit: English106 / Flickr / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY 2.0))

Managing Note-Taking Systems

The best note-taking system is one that is used regularly. Note-taking takes practice, patience, and attention to detail. Sometimes, different note-taking styles work better for different classes. Use any combination of methods that helps organize and review notes.

Organizing Notes

Begin each set of notes with important information: date, course name, topic, and anything else useful for later review. Add reminders about related materials or handouts. Leave blank spaces so it’s easy to add more notes or questions when reviewing.

Staying Connected

Keeping notes and readings organized helps with studying and remembering information. Apps like Evernote let students manage tasks, share notes, link to calendars, and access notes on different devices. The Learning Center offer study tips and strategies for different subjects and skills.

Note-Taking Strategies

A single note-taking method may have worked in high school, but college courses often need different strategies. Adjust your note-taking approach when topics get more complex, and use the best method for each class.

Cornell Method

The Cornell Method is a well-known way to organize notes. Divide paper into three sections: a summary area at the bottom, a recall column on the left, and a notes column on the right. This layout makes it easy to review and study later. The Cornell Method works for handwritten notes and can be set up in computer programs like Word or Excel. Using this method can help keep notes neat and useful for class and exams.

Figure 4.9 The Cornell Method provides a straightforward, organized, and flexible approach.

Using the Cornell Method

The Cornell Method is simple and organized. Write notes only on the right side of the page (the notes column) during class. Focus on main points and key ideas, and put the concepts into your own words rather than copying the speaker’s exact sentences. Leave blank lines between ideas.

Use shortcut abbreviations or bullet points when possible, and avoid writing full sentences. If you need to add more details later, write the word “expand” next to those ideas so you remember to fill in the extra information after class.

Review your notes soon after class, ideally within eight hours but no later than one day. Add details and expand notes as needed. In the left recall column, write short cues—one or two words—summarizing the key ideas from your notes column.

After updating both columns, write a short summary (two or three sentences) at the bottom of the page in the summary section. Discuss notes with a classmate or group to make sure everyone understood the main points.

To study, cover the notes column and use the recall column to quiz yourself on main ideas. Practice this review regularly so you can remember information from lectures, textbook readings, and assignments when preparing for tests and exams.

Figure 4.10 This sample set of notes in the Cornell Method is designed to make sense of a large amount of information. The process of organizing the notes can help you retain the information more effectively than less consistent methods.

Advantages of the Cornell Method

The Cornell Method helps keep notes neat and organized. This makes studying easier since notes are divided by key ideas. In a messy group of notes, finding something like “Boxer—energetic” without context can be confusing. Is that fact important? Does it connect to the main points? Using an organized system sets you up for success.

Outlining

Outlines can also organize notes well, especially in some subjects. In a formal outline, main topics use Roman numerals, related concepts are placed below with capital letters, and supporting details are added with numbers. Indenting helps show levels of detail. This format makes it easier to see relationships between ideas, but can be challenging if the class moves quickly.

Here’s an example outline about dogs:

I. Dogs
A. German Shepherd
1. Protection
a. Assertive
b. Loyal
B. Boxer
1. Family-friendly
a. Energetic
b. Playful
This system helps show connections between topics, concepts, and details. Any missing details can be added later when reviewing notes.

Chart or Table

Charts are useful for comparing topics. Divide the paper into columns with headings such as Breed, Traits, Advantages, Disadvantages, and Notes. Fill in information in the correct columns as the lecture continues.

Example chart for comparing dog breeds:

Breed	Traits	Advantages	Disadvantages	Notes
German Shepherd	Assertive, loyal	Good protection	May need lots of training	Popular police dog
Boxer	Energetic, playful	Great for families	Needs exercise	Good with children

This chart format helps organize ideas for easy review and study.

	Structure	Types	Functions in Body	Additional Notes
Carbohydrates
Lipids
Proteins
Nucleic Acid

Table 4.3 Example of a Chart to Organize Ideas and Categories

Importance of Reviewing Notes

Using organized formats like outlines, charts, or tables helps highlight important ideas and keeps notes clear for later study. Remember, reviewing notes after class is necessary with all note-taking systems. If notes are never reviewed, they do not help much—much like writing a grocery list and then throwing it away before shopping. Reviewing makes it easier to remember key ideas from lectures, readings, and assignments.

Concept Mapping and Visual Note-Taking

Some students learn best with visuals. Concept mapping (or mind mapping) is a note-taking method that shows how main ideas connect. Draw main ideas in circles or boxes and link supporting concepts with lines. Details can branch out further. Maps can be simple or complex and use colors or shapes. Main ideas can be arranged in any direction, but using landscape paper may give more space for connections. This method makes relationships between ideas easy to see and helps organize and remember information.

Figure 4.11 Concept mapping, sometimes referred to as mind mapping, can be an effective and very personalized approach to capturing information. (Credit: ArtistIvanChew / Flickr / Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC-BY 2.0))

Visual Note-Taking

Adding pictures to notes can make information clearer and easier to remember. When words are hard to find or ideas feel complex, a simple drawing can help. Educators say that combining images and text in notes increases recall—using two ways to remember. Pictures in notes do not need to be perfect. Try adding sketches to your notes as a creative way to learn more effectively. Watch  Rachel Smith’s TEDx Talk called “Drawing in Class” to learn more about visual note-taking.

Choosing a Note-Taking Method

Experiment with different note-taking styles and use the method that works best. Practice with your chosen method will make note-taking and review easier and more organized, which can lower stress during studying and test preparation.  

Using Shorthand for Notes

Most students do not learn official shorthand, but making up simple shortcuts and abbreviations can help take notes quickly in class. Personal shorthand makes note-taking faster and helps capture key points, especially when speakers talk quickly or repeat information only once. Get comfortable with basic abbreviations to speed up writing and stay organized.

Shortcut symbol	Meaning
w/, w/o, w/in	with, without, within
&	and
#	number
b/c	because
X, √	incorrect, correct
Diff	different, difference
etc.	and so on
ASAP	as soon as possible
US, UK	United States, United Kingdom
info	information
Measurements: ft, in, k, m	foot, inch, thousand, million
¶	paragraph or new paragraph
Math symbols: =, +, >, <, ÷	equal, plus, greater, less, divided by
WWI, WWII	World Wars I and II
impt	important
?, !, **	denote something is very significant; don't over use

Table 4.4

See the table above for examples of common shorthand symbols and abbreviations. Do you have any other shortcuts or symbols that you use in your notes? Ask your parents if they remember any that you may be able to learn.

Annotating Notes After Class

Reviewing and adding annotations to notes after class is a valuable study habit. Marking important points—by highlighting, underlining, or making extra notes—helps strengthen memory and understanding.

Highlighting draws attention to key information, making it easier to find during study sessions. Using different colors to organize topics can be helpful, but remember—less is more. Only highlight what is truly important. Highlighting whole passages is not effective; focus on specific terms or ideas. Always read the text before highlighting so you understand the main message first.

Underlining is another precise way to emphasize main ideas or key words. Annotations also include writing definitions, questions, or comments in the margins, circling terms, or marking passages for later review. Electronic texts can also be annotated.

Repetition and regular review of annotated notes improves learning. Check your notes and annotations before exams to save time. Use class notes and marked texts as study guides. Writing questions before reading and answering them after helps track your understanding and prepares you for assessments. As you gain more experience, you’ll know what questions and notes work best for your studies.

Figure 4.12 Annotations may include highlighting important topics, defining unfamiliar terms, writing questions in, underlining or circling key terms, or otherwise marking a text for future reference. Whichever approach you choose, try not to overdo it; neat, organized, and efficient notes are more effective than crowded or overdone notes.

Figure 4.13 While these notes may be meaningful to the person who took them, they are neither organized nor consistent. For example, note that some of the more commonly used terms, like “we” and “unfinished,” are defined, but less common ones -- “consecrate” and “hallow” -- are not.

Smart Annotating Strategies

When annotating notes, do not go overboard. Be selective and keep annotations neat. Overusing colors, symbols, or writing too many notes can make study guides messy and hard to use. Always leave enough blank space so you can read the original text. Use brief shorthand and only write what is needed to remember key ideas. Consider writing on one side of the paper so extra notes can be added later.

Professional resources sometimes include helpful annotations, such as samples from Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab (OWL), which shows how to format and annotate papers for college.

Adding Explanations to Notes

Too much multitasking during note-taking can cause stress. As in Marlon’s case, trying to do everything perfectly—taking notes, highlighting, writing questions, and color-coding—can be overwhelming. Note-taking is just the first step. Preparation before class, engaging in activities, and reviewing notes after class are all important. Sometimes, simply mark in your notes that you did a group project or a special activity that day. Ask yourself questions about the instructor’s teaching methods or class experiences to make sense of what you learned.

Using Technology for Note-Taking

Ereaders and apps allow electronic note-taking, including highlighting, underlining, and adding written comments. Many devices offer built-in note features, like OneNote, Google Keep, or Notes on phones. Learn the tools on your device to make note-taking easier.

Notes on Maps, Charts, and Figures

Notes can be taken on non-text materials such as maps, graphs, and tables. Study these features by asking questions:

• What is the main point?

• Who is the audience?

• Where is it located?

• What time period does it show?

• What does the legend explain?

• What other information is needed to understand it?

This approach makes studying visuals easier and helps you find key information quickly.

Figure 4.14 A map showing the “Order of Napoleon’s Battle of Waterloo”. Graphics, charts, graphs, and other visual items are also important to annotate. Not only do they often convey important information, but they may appear on exams or in other situations where you’ll need to use or demonstrate knowledge. (Credit: “Lpankonin” / Wikipedia Commons / Attribution 3.0 Generic (CC BY 3.0))

Annotating Graphics and Tables

If a graphic or table contains lots of information, make an extra copy before adding annotations. This avoids confusion and makes it easier to organize your notes.

Reviewing Notes After Class

After each class, review notes as soon as possible and add any missing details. Jot down questions separately so they do not get lost in other information. Try to review notes within 24 hours; waiting longer makes it easy to forget what was covered, but reviewing too soon may lead to postponing the review.

Set reminders on your phone or computer to make note review a regular habit.

Using Notes for Test Preparation

Well-organized notes help with understanding lessons, readings, labs, and assignments. Taking, annotating, and reviewing notes is only effective if used for test study. The cycle of reading, note-taking, reviewing, and exam preparation is a continuous process—even after college. Practicing these skills now will support success in professional life.

Activity: Finding Helpful Resources

Look for resources that improve reading and note-taking skills. To decide if a resource is valuable, check recommendations from instructors and the library. Review books, articles, and guides to find ones that support stronger study habits.

• College Rules!: How to Study, Survive, and Succeed in College, by Sherri Nist-Olejnik and Jodi Patrick Holschuh. More than just note-taking, this book covers many aspects of transitioning into the rigors of college life and studying.
• Effective Note-taking, by Fiona McPherson. This small volume has suggestions for using your limited time wisely before, during, and after note-taking sessions.
• How to Study in College, by Walter Pauk. This is the book that introduced Pauk’s note-taking suggestions we now call the Cornell Method. It is a bit dated (from the 1940s), but still contains some valuable information.
• Learn to Listen, Listen to Learn 2: Academic Listening and Note-taking, by Roni S. Lebauer. The main point of this book is to help students get the most from college lectures by watching for clues to lecture organization and adapting this information into strong notes.
• Study Skills: Do I Really Need this Stuff? by Steve Piscitelli. Written in a consistently down-to-earth manner, this book will help you with the foundations of strong study skills, including time management, effective note-taking, and seeing the big picture.
• "What Reading Does for the Mind", by Anne Cunningham and Keith Stanovich, 1998, https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/periodicals/cunningham.pdf
• How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading, by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren, 1940.
• Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain, by Gregory S. Berns, Kristina Blaine, Michael J. Prietula, and Brandon E. Pye. https://doi.org/10.1089/brain.2013.0166

 

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