Taking Notes

Note taking is the most important step in the research process. There are several ways in which the student may take notes:

Using note cards

Note cards should include the following information:

• source of the information
• page number, if available
• idea label or key word which identifies the note and will help in sorting cards (Note that the idea label is not the subject of the entire paper.)
• note which may be a summary, paraphrase, list, or quotation

Only one idea should be written on each card.

Notes should be written as briefly as possible in the student's own words. If material is quoted, the original should be copied exactly and enclosed in quotation marks.

Using loose-leaf paper

Sheets should include the following information:

• source of the information
• page number, if available
• idea label
• notes

Only one source should be put on each sheet.

Underlining or highlighting print-outs or copies

Margins can be used to put the material into the student's own words or to note idea labels.