Research Process: A Step-By-Step Guide: 4a. Take Notes

• Use index cards to keep notes and track sources used in your paper.
• Create Work Cited cards for each source.
  • Include the citation (i.e., author, title, publisher, date, page numbers, etc.) in MLA format. It will be easier to organize the sources alphabetically when creating the Work Cited page.
  • Number the source cards.
• On each note card:
  • Use only one side to record a single idea, fact or quote from one source. It will be easier to rearrange them later when it comes time to organize your paper.
  • Include a heading or key words at the top of the card. 
  • Include the Work Cited source card number.
  • Include the page number where you found the information.
• Taking notes:
  • Use abbreviations, acronyms, or incomplete sentences to record information to speed up the notetaking process.
  • Write down only the information that answers your research questions.
  • Use symbols, diagrams, charts or drawings to simplify and visualize ideas.

Use one of these notetaking forms to capture information:

• Summarize: Capture the main ideas of the source succinctly by restating them in your own words.
• Paraphrase: Restate the author's ideas in your own words.
• Quote: Copy the quotation exactly as it appears in the original source. Put quotation marks around the text and note the name of the person you are quoting.