Note-Taking Do’s and Don’ts


Don’t: Rely on your memory to reconstruct class lectures.
Don’t: Waste time and effort to rewrite basic rules that are in the cases and already in your case brief. Instead, listen for how your professor breaks down a rule into elements or provides steps of analysis and write that down — this is unique to your professor and not to be found elsewhere.
Do: Strive to make your notes a“re-creation” of all that was discussed in class on that day, but not a transcript. Focus on what’s unique and can’t otherwise be found in a casebook or hornbook.
Don’t: Spend waste rewriting your notes.
Do: Go over your notes promptly after class and fill in any missing words. Reading what you wrote will prompt your memory and you’ll be able to fill in missing words and complete sentences.
Don’t: Use your computer to take notes unless you are a sufficiently expert typist to keep up with the professor.
Do: Rely on your longhand — especially if you’re going to be writing your exams. You need the practice and to develop your stamina.
Do: Practice good organizational skills: date your notes, begin each day’s notes on a new page, keep class notes separate from case briefs and outlines.
Do: Focus on legal language. Pay particular attention to legal phrases, terms of art, and concepts — especially the ones the professor repeats several times.
Do: Write the hypos the professor presents in class. These are additional examples offered to illustrate some portion of the rule. Be sure to follow and include the analysis.
Do: Treat hypos like mini-exam questions and write down all hypotheticals.
Do: Write down any summary or overview the professor presents. It’s a guide to how the professor sees all the pieces fitting together.
Don’t: Rewrite your case briefs after class.
Do: Annotate your case briefs during class discussions. Make sure you’ve dissected the case properly by:
• Stating the relevant facts
• Identifying the correct issue
• Correctly articulating the rule
• Correctly identifying the court’s rationale