- The sentence method of note-taking is very versatile and easy to use, but it’s certainly not the most efficient method out there.
- I recommend using the sentence method during fast-paced live lectures where you don’t have the time needed to take more structured notes.
- The sentence note-taking method is often outshined by more structured methods such as the Cornell method.
It’s time to cover a bit of a mixed bag of a note-taking method: the sentence method.
The sentence method is a technique you don’t really want to use unless there’s no other option available.
Personally, I only use the sentence method on the rare occasion that I come into a fast-paced, unorganized live lecture without any preparation. Then, after class, I rewrite the sentence notes into a more digestible form with something like the outline method, Q/E/C method, or Cornell method.
Still, the sentence method is a viable strategy under some circumstances, and it deserves to be covered the same as all the other note-taking methods.
In this article you’ll learn:
The Sentence Method
What is the sentence method of note-taking?
The sentence method of note-taking uses line spacing to separate thoughts, concepts, and ideas from one another. Every time a new idea is introduced, it is written on a new line, resulting in notes with large quantities of sentences in a vertical order.
The sentence method is one of the most “bare bones” styles of note-taking methods out there. In fact, it might even be a stretch of the imagination to call it a method. The vast majority of students who have never heard of efficient note-taking typically use some form of the sentence method without even realizing it, as it does not require any preparation or planning beforehand.
At one point, I was an avid user of the sentence method myself. Nowadays, however, I try to avoid using the sentence method unless all other methods are ruled out. That’s rarely the case, though, because nowadays, I study fully online, and I can follow classes whenever and however it suits me best.
When should you use the sentence note-taking method?
Using the sentence method of note-taking can be useful for you if the:
- Class is fast-paced, and you are completely unprepared,
- Lessons don’t follow any clear structure,
- You will not need to review the information ahead of an exam or presentation.
In specific scenarios such as these, choosing the sentence method can be justified.
However, in most other cases, the sentence method can be easily replaced by the simple and versatile Cornell method or the split-page method. It’s more systematized, allows for easier reviewing, and it’s a much more efficient method in general.
Taking Cornell notes does require you to have some structure to the information, though, so for the most chaotic of classes, it’s not suitable.
Know when to take notes with the sentence method, and just as importantly – when NOT to use it. It’s a method that’s better than nothing, but it’s not exactly efficient.
Pros & cons of the sentence method
These are the benefits of using the sentence method:
- Versatile enough to be used for any type of class and subject
- Very easy to learn and use
- Easily usable during live lectures
And here are the drawbacks to using the sentence note-taking method:
- Reviewing the notes after class is very time-consuming and inefficient
- Efficient organization of large quantities of sentence method notes is nearly impossible
- Lack of space relationship awareness between notes
- Main concepts and takeaways are difficult to distinguish from small details
- Does not show the internal connections between topics and subtopics
- Requires very quick handwriting or typing skills
While the sentence method does have some specific uses, I do think the method comes with significantly more drawbacks than benefits. If you have no other option, then taking notes with the sentence method is likely better than taking no notes at all. However, there are a variety of different note-taking methods out there that overshadow the sentence method.
How to take notes with the sentence method
The sentence method is very simple to follow. All you need to do is follow these three steps:
Record each sentence on a separate line
The sentence method requires you to have very quick writing or typing skills, as you’ll be recording everything the instructor says. Also, make sure to record each new thought, idea, or concept down onto a new line.
If you’re taking handwritten notes, developing a shorthand technique that works for you will be very helpful for using the sentence method efficiently. Writing shorthand can drastically increase your handwriting speed, and the sentence method does rely heavily on your writing speed.
Add numbers to the lines
Add numbers to each separate line that you recorded in the previous step.
Doing so will help you out in the note review process later on. Without numbering, sentence method notes tend to spiral out of control rather quickly.
Review your notes
Once you’ve recorded and numbered your notes, it’s time to review them.
Sentence method notes are some of the most difficult and time-consuming types of notes to review. That is because they lack any type of note-reducing capabilities, and sentences are simply written out in full form rather than a summarized version.
To make the review process easier, I would recommend you rewrite the notes instead by using any other note-taking methods that are suitable for the material. This may seem tedious, but it’ll likely give you much better results in the end.
Overall, though, taking effective notes with the sentence method is not easy, and you’ll likely benefit from choosing another method if you have the chance to do so. But if it seems like the most feasible method in a class – go ahead and use it! There are considerable overall benefits of taking notes regardless of the method used.
