Note-taking System

Make notes for each literary category (plot, setting, theme, style, structure).

The Cornell note-taking method is effective. Divide the paper into four sections as
follows:

This box is for writing notes.

Act & Scene: Try to ensure that you have varied
points (char, setting, style, theme,
Key Points Notes: tone, structure, narration)
Try to ensure that your notes are
sophisticated (focus on big ideas,
on patterns, on harder elements
Develop and use an such as tone and theme...)
organizational
system; Don't use complete sentences. Use
Pull out main ideas, abbreviations, whenever possible.
key points, dates, Develop a shorthand of your own,
and people; such as using & for the word
List key questions "and"
and hypotheses
Summary
Write a summary of the main ideas in the bottom
section.

There are several expectations of quality notes:

A: they will be numerous (You should have 1 or 2 pgs of notes per 10-15 pages read); you will
note a number of patterns with the realization that if the author is creating a pattern,
theres likely a reason.
B: they will be sophisticated (you will offer theories about the things you are noting)
C: they will be varied (you will track all 3 choice types (structural, narrative and stylistic) and
recognize the effects on: character, setting, tone, theme, plot (if you must talk about plot, be
advised that it is much less valuable)
D: they will be organized (you will have a system that helps you find big ideas and patterns)
Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Number 3-6 patterns; 7 -9 patterns (3 or more 10 -12 patterns (3 or more
Notes are not up to the examples of each pattern); examples of each pattern);
assigned reading stage but Notes are up to (or almost Notes are up to the
the student is not up to ) the assigned reading assigned reading stage, and
hopelessly far behind. stage uniformly thorough

Sophisticatio Occasional reflections about Reflections made about the Reflections are offered to
n the importance of importance of observations; explain a significant number
observations reflections are interesting of observations. The
and offer potential insight theories are insightful and
well-thought out

Variety Consideration of most of the
literary elements
(character, setting, style,
theme, narration, structure,
plot)
Organization Some indications of
Consideration of each of the
literary elements (char,
setting, style, theme,
narration, structure, plot)
A deliberate system of
Frequent and balanced
consideration of each of the
literary elements (char,
setting, style, theme,
narration, structure, plot)
A distinct and useful system
organization organizing notes. of organizing notes (Cornell
preferred, with headings, or
legend or to help find
relevant materials in notes)