One way for writers to take notes is to use note cards. A writer may choose to take actual notes on 3 x 5 index cards from the store (colored ones really help with source organization), or a writer can take notes by creating "note cards" in a word processing program by using "cut and paste," section breaks, and/or text boxes. Below are some steps that a writer can use for actual cards or that a writer can adapt for a word processing program to create both source (bibliography) cards and note cards.
- The writer writes actual notes from the sources on these cards. If using colored cards, the notes can be color-coordinated to the same color as the source cards.
- If the writer quotes directly from the source, quotation marks should be placed around the quote. If the information is paraphrased, quotations are not used. However, the writer must still cite the source in the paper. Therefore, it is extremely important that the source cards are accurate so the writer can properly cite the paraphrase or summary within the paper and on the Works Cited page.
- Each note card should contain information on only one aspect of the topic. (In other words, one thought = one note card.) The note card should be labeled to reflect this topic. For example, if writing a paper about Bill Clinton, the card would not be labeled "Bill Clinton." Instead, its label might read "Scandals."
Sample Note Card
Scandals
(Topic)Leblanc
(Author's last name)
Throughout his presidency, Clinton was plagued by one scandal after another.
(Note)
65
(page number)
- When a writer includes as much information about the topic on her note cards as she can, it makes the actual writing of the paper much easier. This way, all the writer has to do is flip through the note cards as she writes her paper.
- The number of note cards needed to write a research paper is different for every writer. The idea is to research ALL aspects of the topic thoroughly, taking organized notes on note cards. After a writer gathers all the information, she can sort the cards by specific topics and arrange them in a logical format. This will become the outline to use in the writing of the paper.
Finally, notes taken carefully from one's sources are extremely useful. Good notes whether by note cards or by another method follow these guidelines:
General guidelines for notes
- Notes should be brief (key nouns, summaries of key ideas)
- Notes should be labeled by source and page number
- Good notes keep track of source information--author, titles, pages, publisher, city of publication, date of publication, etc., and
- Good notes mark and carefully record any quotations the writer will use in the research paper, including short phrases. Writers should use long quotations sparingly.