Getting Started:
- Be prepared. What are you trying to find out?
- See: Research Quest for information on the process of research.
- Your notes should be in POINT FORM - no sentences. Leave out articles (a, an, the), and any other words not critical to your understanding.
- Use your own words. This ensures that you actually understand the material, and that you will be less likely to inadvertently paraphrase or copy words from the text.
- Use quotations to strenghten your arguments or position. Collect and cite the quotations in your notes.
- Found the same information in more than one source? Good! Cite both / all sources. This adds strength to arguments / evidence.
- Not sure what constitutes plagiarism? See: Plagiarism
- Collect your Works Cited information as you go. See: Works Cited.
1. Basic Note Taking Formats: Hierarchical (Indent)
Main Idea
- Key Point
- Supporting Notes / Evidence
- Supporting Notes / Evidence - Supporting Quotation with Citation
- Supporting Notes / Evidence
- Supporting Notes / Evidence
Works Cited Information - if print material, include page numbers.
- Key Point
- Supporting Notes / Evidence
- Supporting Notes / Evidence - Supporting Quotation with Citation
- Supporting Notes / Evidence
- Supporting Notes / Evidence
Works Cited Information - if print material, include page numbers.
2. Basic Note Taking Formats: Two Column
Main Idea
Works Cited Information |
Supporting Evidence Notes
Notes
Quotation with citation information. |
Main Idea
Works Cited Information |
Supporting Evidence Notes
Notes
|
Form: Two column (MS WORD Ver. 2003); Two column (PDF)
TREK - landscape, Gore-example, E-notes
3. Basic Note Taking Formats: File Card or Single Sheet
- Start a new card or a new sheet for each main idea.
- This method allows for the quick reorganization of notes.
- You could still use the hierachical (indent) method on your cards.
- Don't forget the Works Cited information.
4. Basic Note Taking Formats: Note Organizers
Once you have taken notes you will need to organize them logically. A note organizer can help you do this.
| Topic |
| Thesis Statement |
| Main Idea |
Main Idea |
Main Idea |
| Key Point |
Key Point |
Key Point |
| Key Point |
Key Point |
Key Point |
| Key Point |
Key Point |
Key Point |
| Key Point |
Key Point |
Key Point |
Form: Three column (MS WORD ver 2003); Three column (PDF)
For More Information:
Library Information |
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