Brainstorm questions about your topic. Write one question
per index card.
Search for information that answers the questions from your
various sources. Skimming chapter headings and scanning pages for
key words will make the note taking process easier.
Write the answers to your questions using short phrases to
save time.
Do not copy word for word as you are taking notes.
This is a form of plagiarism. See p. 229 in Write Source 2000
for a further explanation.
Be sure to put quotation marks around their words or thoughts
if you want to use someone's exact words.
Rewrite key ideas using your own words. This is called
paraphrasing. See pages 215-216 in Write Source 2000 for an example.
Mark on your individual cards where you got the information.
Try to do this immediately after you take notes.
Some helpful examples and pictures of actual note cards are
located on pages 224-225 in Write Source 2000.
