ACROBAT | 10-MINUTE READ
Learn how to keep your thoughts organized with these five note-taking styles.
Just like when you’re outlining a written piece, the Outline Method of note taking puts the most general information on the left and more specific information is indented underneath. Continue indenting as the information gets even more specific.
This method makes a great note-taking template because it groups information through the indenting. The outline method is perfect for school activities like writing and learning; an easy to use reading notes template can help with reading comprehension. You know the indented information is related to the more general, left-aligned information.
This method is particularly useful for topics that follow a logical sequence or have multiple levels of details. It helps students, professionals, and researchers break down complex subjects into main points, subpoints, and supporting details, making note-taking more efficient and organized. Common use cases include:
By using the outline method, individuals can retain information more effectively, improve comprehension, and quickly reference key details when needed.
Developed by students at Cornell, the Cornell Method is a way to take notes that leaves space for additional comments. This will create three sections on your Cornell note-taking template.
First, divide your page into sections:
This will create three sections on your note-taking template.
Use the largest section on the right for taking notes and the smaller section on the left for adding keywords (called "cues") to label each thought in the notes section. Use the bottom section to summarize the page of notes.
The Cornell method is a powerful note-taking system that not only captures information but also transforms your notes into a dynamic study resource. It’s particularly valuable when you want to maintain a single organized space for both taking notes during lectures and actively engaging with the material afterward. It's ideal for use cases such as:
By adopting the Cornell method, you create a versatile note-taking framework that not only captures the moment but also enhances long-term understanding and retention.
The Mapping Method of note taking links related ideas. It’s like a bubble map for your notes.
As you take your notes, draw lines between related content. The main idea of the information would go in the middle of the map, and all the related content would be in bubbles around it linked with lines. Continue creating lines and bubbles as needed to keep your information organized.
The Mapping Method is great for showing the relationships between information, but it can take up a lot of space on your page.
This approach is particularly useful when the lecture content is structured around a central theme with multiple interconnected categories and subcategories. By creating a visual map, you can see how individual components relate to the overall concept, making it easier to understand complex subjects at a glance. A few use cases for the Mapping Method are:
By employing the mapping method, you create a clear visual representation of the subject matter, which enhances comprehension and makes reviewing the material more intuitive.
The Charting Method is a structured note-taking technique that relies on tables to systematically arrange and summarize information.
This approach involves dividing a page into multiple columns and rows, with each column dedicated to a specific category and each row covering a particular topic. Think of it as creating a table similar to an Excel or Google Sheets document, where data is neatly organized, making it easier to compare, contrast, and review key points efficiently.
For example, if you’re learning about the history of music, you could label your headings:
Then simply fill out the rows with the appropriate information. You can create new rows for different times periods, genres, or however you prefer to organize the information.
The Charting Method is a highly effective note-taking technique when you need to organize large amounts of information quickly and clearly. By structuring notes into a table format, this method allows for easy comparison, making it particularly useful for subjects that require memorization of facts, relationships, or categories. The Charting Method is best for:
By utilizing the Charting Method, you create a clear, easy-to-scan resource that simplifies studying and enhances retention of essential information.
With the Sentence Method of note taking, you simply write every new thought, fact, or topic in a complete sentence on a different line. Number your sentences as you go. This method is easy to use without a specific template in your processor of choice, like Microsoft Word or Google Docs. However, be sure to utilize a free meeting notes template as a starting point and to stay consistent.
The Sentence Method is a simple and effective note-taking approach that captures information in a straightforward, linear format. This method involves writing each new idea, fact, or piece of information as a separate sentence, making it ideal for situations where content is delivered quickly or does not follow a strict structure. Most commonly, the Sentence Method note taking template is used for:
No matter which of the note-taking templates you decide to use, it’s always a good idea to save your final notes as a PDF. PDF documents maintain your formatting no matter which device you use to open it. That means if you need to share your notes with coworkers, classmates, or anyone else, they’ll see your template exactly as you intended. Saving your notes as a PDF also allows you to quickly find information in your notes or summarize certain sections using Acrobat AI with AI prompts.
You can easily save your template document as a PDF or convert your template from Word to PDF online using a tool like Adobe Acrobat online services.
And if you need to add to your notes, you can quickly convert a PDF back to Word using nothing but your web browser.
