Notetaking Strategy
Two Column Format for Specific Subjects
(exerpted from
Independent Strategies for Efficient Study
by Karen J. Rooney, Ph.D.)

Content textbooks are divided into sections to help the reader recognize main ideas that are being presented. Each subtitle states the main idea and the specific information is embedded in the text of the section. Subtitles will be in a different style of print or in a different color for easy identification. The note taking organizer will use the sections as manageable units for taking notes.

Divide the sheet of paper into two column by folding lengthwise in half or drawing a line down the center of the paper lengthwise. In the first column, list the specific information that will need to be recalled. Specific information includes names (not common nouns but proper nouns), numbers and terms. A term is a word you need to know the definition and is not limited to the bold print words in the text so vocabulary building in the content area takes place. The specific information needs to be isolated or separated from each other by surrounding the specific detail with white space to serve as an artificial guide for focus attention and processing in memory.

At the end of each section, change the subtitle into a question; if the subtitle is a question, pull the topic about of the question to serve as a subtitle. Do not simply copy the question or subtitle in a rote manner which will not engage processing to promote retention.

In the second column, write the definitions, explanations or related information across from the name, number, topic or term.

Sample

Names, Numbers, Terms, Topics	Definitions, Explanations, Information
Newgrange	burial mound
2500 BC	when built
4000 years	how long dry
Why is it a unique burial mound	in a wet climate and design enables it to stay dry
capstone	roof
corbeling	process of building to keep dry

To review the information, fold the sheet so only one column is visible and use a cover sheet or hands to cover all material except for the specific detail being focused on at that moment. Recall the information in the second column and then use the cover sheet or hands to cover all material except for the next specific detail. Recall the information in the second column and proceed until all the information in the first column has been reviewed.

Turn the paper so only the second column is visible and use the cover sheet or hands to isolate each section so the specific must be recalled from memory this time.

By using both columns, both specific retrieval and integration into concepts are supported. The process actually produces "practice tests" which are more efficient than the common practice of "reading over" notes.

The strategy supports attention, processing and word retrieval in the study process.