Taking Notes 

There are many ways to take and organize notes.  Here you will find one way to help keep you on the right track.

·         Using 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 inch note cards, record the following information on each note card. See Appendix  A  for a sample Note Card. 

•   Write only one idea on each card.  The note might be a summary or paraphrase of a passage, an important fact, a particularly meaningful quotation, or your reaction/opinion about something you have read in your source that directly relates to your topic.
   

•  Create subtopics to place on each card as reminders of what the item specifically relates to.
   

•  Include the source number so you know which source the information came from.  You won’t remember later, and this step will save you time in the process.
   

•  Include the author and page number.  You will need the author and page number from the source to include in your paper when you cite the source: Be sure to include this information on each card so you don’t have to go looking for it when you compose your text. 

Back to Table of Contents