List of Notes:

Protocol

Before class

Presenter

  • Creates a shared notes document for the assigned paper (see list at the top of this page).
  • Adds:
    • Full citation / link to the paper
    • A minimal summary (3–5 bullets max): problem, approach, key result, what is novel
    • 3–5 discussion prompts aimed at synthesis (assumptions, comparisons, failure modes)
    • A suggested mapping to the review outline (which section this paper most informs)

All other students

  • Add at least one substantive question or comment to the notes document before class.
    • Confusion is acceptable if it is concrete.
    • Comparative or critical questions are encouraged.

After class

Presenter

  • Revises the notes into a clean synthesis (still bullets, not prose):
    • Group ideas by theme
    • Remove low-signal commentary
    • Capture points of agreement and disagreement
    • Add “so what?” bullets (e.g. when the method works, when it breaks, why it matters)
  • Deadline:
    The revised synthesis must be completed by the next class meeting.