Customize the Cue, Note and Summary Sections of Cornell Notes and Export to PDF
Cornell notes come from education research at Cornell University and are designed to make studying more effective. Each page is split into three areas, the note column on the right, the cue column on the left, and the summary section across the bottom. You take notes in the note column during class, then add questions and key points to the cue column when you review, and write a recap in the summary section. With Lineum you set the width of the left cue column and the height of the bottom summary section in millimeters, and you can mix and match the rule style of each area (ruled, dot, grid, or blank) independently.
Use cases
- Lectures and class notes: write the board work and explanations in the right-hand note column, then cover it and answer the cue-column prompts as recall practice after class. Set every section to ruled and turn on the title section to log the subject and date for easier review.
- Meeting minutes: keep statements and decisions in the note column, action items and owners in the cue column, and the meeting's conclusion in the summary. A 50–60 mm cue column makes it easy to scan just the action items later.
- Vocabulary and memorization: put a word or term in the cue column and its meaning or an example in the note column to build a self-quiz sheet you answer with the cue column covered. Per-section line spacing in mm lets you size each area to how much you write.
- Exam preparation: keep key points in the note column, frequently tested topics as questions in the cue column, and a recap of the scope in the summary. Setting the note column to dot and the cue column to ruled fits diagrams and prompts on one page.
Tips
- The default cue column width is 55 mm. To use it like a flashcard for self-quizzing, 50–60 mm is comfortable to write in.
- The default summary height is 40 mm, enough for a 3–5 line recap. Adjust it to fit how much you study.
- Set the note column to dot and the cue column to ruled to pair free-form space with a simple line guide.
- For class notes, setting every section to ruled is the simplest, most usable configuration.
- Turn on the title section to add a header for the subject name and date.
FAQ
- How do I use Cornell notes?
- During class, write content in the note column on the right. Afterward, cover the note column and answer the questions in the cue column to review, then condense the whole page into the summary section. This three-step cycle is known to help cement understanding.
- What's the best width ratio between the cue and note columns?
- A cue column of roughly 10–15% of the page width, with the note column taking the rest, is generally easy to use. On A4 portrait, a 50–60 mm cue column is standard.
- Can I change the rule style of each section?
- Yes. You can choose ruled, dot, grid, or blank independently for the cue, note, and summary sections.
- Can the cue column line spacing differ from the note column?
- Yes. You can set the line spacing for each section (cue, notes, and summary) independently in millimeters.
- Can I use it as a reading-notes template?
- Yes. Put quotes and takeaways in the note column, keywords and questions in the cue column, and the book's key points in the summary, and it works as an output-driven reading journal.