Cornell Notes
Evidence of your close reading
These notes require you to be
INTELLECTUALLY CURIOUS
What do you think is important about this text?
You may need to use outside sources
Look beyond the surface: look up unknown words, phrases, historical events described in the text
Must be handwritten!
Focus on the effect of the element you are identifying
1 note every 2 pages
Type of Note
Model of Cornell Notes
Evidence from Text & ITS EFFECT ON:
Reader’s Experience, Author’s Purpose, Characters, mood, tone, etc
Page & Para #
Simile, indirect characterization
Comparing Alicia to an angel indicates to the reader her moral character & looks
Pg 1
Para
3
Pg 2
Para
1
Quote significance; potential theme?
Passage suggests people have not looked out for the land, & it can no longer sustain them; relationship broken between land & people
Cornell Notes: Suggestions for Notes
Title of Work
01
Publication Date
02
Author Information
03
Track Setting Details
04
Speculate about the meaning; Why did the author choose this title? Is the title referenced in the book
What world events are around this time? Does the work correlate to the time period?
Note biographical information; Does it impact the writing?
Identify & describe the setting; how does it impact mood? Character? Tone?
Cornell Notes: Suggestions for Notes
Characters
05
Point of View
06
Plot
07
What are their motivations? Make note of what they say & think, & what that says about them. Note their actions & effects on others & how that affects the plot, tone, etc. How do they look? What effect does that have?
Who is telling the story? Is it effective? Why?
Diagram the plot & the different conflicts. What is the climax for each?
Cornell Notes: Suggestions for Notes
Theme
08
Symbols
09
Conflict
10
Note possible themes as you read; make note of textual evidence to support the themes; What does the author want the reader to learn? What is his/her intent?
What do they stand for? Make note of textual evidence
There may be multiple conflicts ; internal, external
Cornell Notes: Suggestions for Notes
Images
11
Allusions
12
Repetition
13
Diction/Syntax/Vocab
14
Note the images that stand out to you; why would the author make these stand out?
References to other literary works, cultural ideas, biblical or mythological figures
If it is repeated, it is important; what point is the author making?
Don’t know a word? Look it up!
Diction-word choice
Syntax-how sentences are constructed; ex-long sentences slow down pace
Cornell Notes: Suggestions for Notes
Literary Devices
15
quotes/passages
16
Track motifs
17
Your thoughts
18
Identify how they are helping the author’s message; link to list
Also, check elements of fiction
Note why they are important
What possible theme do they support? In what context are they seen?
Make predictions
Identify cause and effect
What is significant about what you have read?