Name______Per ___

PREPARING NOTETAKING CARDS

You MUST have a Working Bibliography BEFORE taking notes!

To prepare to take notes, print your own copy of the Working Bibliography and assign a letter (such as “A”) to each source by writing the letter in the margin next to the source. Then, using sticky notes, mark each of the actual sources with the same letter to remind you of the source letter. Have your blank index cards ready. As you read the source materials listed in your working bibliography, take notes on ideas and jot down single sentences which relate to your topic. Take notes to answer the following questions:

• How did the events and atmosphere (social, economic, political, and cultural aspects) of my topic’s time period influence my topic in history?Which events/persons/organizations/environments/government etc. were involved in my event? What was their motivation?

• How did my topic develop over time?What happened to build up to my event? What happened after my topic’s important or significant actions?

• How was my topic significant in history in relation to the National History Day theme of “Debate and Diplomacy”? Which groups, regions, or entities were affected by my topic? How, exactly, were they affected by my topic?

• How is my topic important?How did my topic influence history?How was history changed by my topic’s actions?

Place this information on note cards using the following guidelines. The numbers below correspond to the numbers on the sample.

  1. Place a descriptive heading of 1-5 words at the top of each card; the heading should summarize the main idea of the note.
  2. List bibliography card identification letter and page number(s) i.e. [A24]. If the source is from the web, use paragraph number i.e. [Ap.3].
  3. Place ONEmain idea/quotation on a card.
  4. Leave the bottom line open for categorizing information ( PERSIA)
  5. Indicate where you will use the information.

In addition:

  • Use index cards of the same size
  • Write your initials on the back of every card!
  • Use abbreviations and phrases
  • Place all quotes written word for word in quotation marks.

Sample Note taking: Summarizing, Paraphrasing, & Quoting

PARAPHRASE NOTE 3 Ways to Take Notes

1.Civil Rights March=unity 2. A24

3.
In WashingtonDC--On Aug. 28. 1963, more that 250,000
people—including 75,000 whites—protested the denial of basic
civil rights for African-Americans.
4.Social
5.Body of paper or timeline of exhibit

Summarize:

Summarize (in your own words) as you take notes unless there is good reason to retrace the thinking of a source. When you summarize, you narrow or reduce what you have read to a few important points.

Paraphrase:

Paraphrasing is restating in your own words what you have read. It is a helpful note-taking technique when you are trying to retrace the thinking of one or your sources directly.

Direct Quote:

Use a source’s exact words when it includes essential information, when the source’s language is unique or distinctive, and/or when the source is considered an expert on the subject. Put this information in quotation marks.