Begin by drawing a line down your paper approximately two inches from the left edge. Plan to use the left column to develop cues for study, but save this activity for after class. During class, take notes only in the larger column on the right-hand side. Once you have organized your notes in this fashion and the lecture begins, your goal is to follow and to record the speaker's stream of ideas as best you can. To accomplish this, you must hear and record complete ideas.
Speakers usually present an idea and then develop it.
You should record the main idea as well as all the facts, examples, and supporting information used to develop that idea. Lecturers use a variety of signals to alert you to the importance of key information. The most frequently used indicators are verbal cues. In addition, information surrounding heavy pauses and anything that is repeated or presented on an overhead transparency, blackboard, or handout needs to be written in your notes. Be careful to include examples, diagrams, and charts.