Generate a 3-Column Memo-Ma Note for Structured Thinking as a PDF
Memo-Ma is a structured note layout — inspired by the Japanese "Memo no Maryoku" method of abstraction and transfer — that splits the page into left and right columns plus a summary box at the bottom. The classic workflow is simple: capture the main content in the wide left column, add context, sources, or abstractions in the right column, then distill your conclusion or next actions into the summary box. With Lineum you control the left-column width ratio, the summary-box height ratio, and the title-box height, so you can tune the layout for meeting minutes, reading notes, or brainstorming sheets. Light grid lines fill each section to guide your writing without getting in the way.
Use cases
- It works well for meeting minutes. Record statements and decisions in chronological order in the left column, note the owner, due date, and context in the right column, and pull the conclusion and next actions into the summary box at the bottom. Put the meeting name and date in the title box, then hole-punch the printout and file several meetings together in one binder.
- Use it for reading notes. Copy quotes and facts verbatim into the left column, restate and abstract them in your own words in the right column, and distill the chapter's argument into a sentence or two in the summary box — the concrete-to-abstract-to-transfer flow maps directly onto the three sections. Writing the book title in the title box makes a sheet easy to find later.
- It makes a solid idea-capture and brainstorming sheet. Dump fragments freely into the left column for volume, then group related ones and pose questions in the right column to organize them, and leave "what to test next" in the summary box. Shrink the internal grid to fit more, or widen the left-column ratio to 0.55–0.60 for the divergent phase.
- It also suits interview and research notes. Log what the other person says in the left column and keep your own interpretations, questions, and points to verify side by side in the right column, so facts and impressions stay separate. The summary box is where you write the recap and your follow-up questions once the session ends.
Tips
- The left-column ratio defaults to 0.45 (45% of the page width). When the main content runs long, widen it to 0.55–0.60 for more room.
- The summary ratio sets how much of the bottom area the summary box occupies — 0.4–0.5 gives you generous space to wrap up.
- Use the title box (default 15mm) to record the date, meeting name, or book title so your sheets stay organized.
- Shrink the internal grid size to fit more detailed writing inside each section.
- Punch holes after printing and file the sheets in a binder to keep multiple meetings or chapters together.
FAQ
- Can I make a free meeting-minutes sheet?
- Yes. Add a title box for the meeting name and date, then use the left column for agenda items and the right column for owners or context. It is free and needs no account.
- How is this different from a Cornell note?
- A Cornell note stacks a cue column and a note column side by side with a summary at the bottom. Memo-Ma gives you a freely adjustable left/right split, making it better suited to organizing ideas and reading notes as well as meetings.
- Can I change the rule style of each section?
- You can change the internal grid size, but switching individual sections to ruled lines or dots is not currently available.
- Which is better, A4 or A5?
- A4 suits desk work where you write a lot, while A5 is easier to carry and keep beside you during a meeting. Pick whichever matches your situation.
- Can I split the columns evenly (50:50)?
- Yes. Set the left-column ratio to 0.5 and the two columns will be equal in width.