Tips for Taking Notes
Note taking: Recording information from sources that supports a thesis.
Though you will not be required to take notes using notecards for this class, note-taking is ESSENTIAL in the research process.
The tips below relate to taking notes using notecards; however, the tips and guidelines below can certainly be translated or apply to however you prefer to take notes.
Citations for sources should be completed before notes are taken. These citations may be in electronic or paper format. Citations are notes, frequently on note cards, that identify the sources you may use in your paper; citations record the bibliographic information about the source that will appear in your Works Cited page. The Works Cited page is a listing of all the resources you have used to write the paper.
While the examples in this Writing Guide have the appearance of 3 x 5 index cards, you may use the electronic version of taking notes. See your librarian or teacher to learn to use Noodletools or other on-line formats to take notes from primary and secondary sources. The information and analysis remains the same regardless of the format used.
Sample Source Card:
Researchers use notecards to extract, synthesize and organize information to support a thesis. (If the final product is an argumentative essay, notecards may also include the counterpoint to the argument.)
Some teachers have their students use electronic tools for note taking (NoodleTools, EasyBib, etc.) while others prefer handwritten notes (Cornell notes or index cards).
Your librarian can help with this step. Regardless of the method of note taking, all notes should include the following:
• the source and location (page number) of the information
• a way to arrange or group notecards by topic or idea that corresponds to your outline (slug, tag)
• a place to record the information (quotation, paraphrase, and analysis)
Three Types of Note Cards:
All notes must relate to and prove the thesis.
Direct Quotation: This notecard contains a direct quotation from the source and is punctuated with quotation marks at the beginning of the quotation and at the end.
Paraphrase: A paraphrase reflects the meaning of the selected textual passage but uses the words of the student writing the paper. Be careful when paraphrasing NOT to plagiarize.
Summary: A summary notecard offers in a sentence or two, the thoughts the student gathers while reading a source. Be careful NOT to plagiarize.