Note Taking

SIS Research Tips

Mrs. McCabeSIS Media Specialist

Why We Use Note Cards

Helps you to organize material Easier to identify sources Information at your finger tips Life long skill Good study tool Better grades = better college = better job

= more

When is note taking appropriate?

Reading assignments Class discussions Projects/Research/Labs Multimedia viewing

From Reading to Writing

Read

Think about it!

Write

Sub-topic / focus point at top left of card One idea per card Main ideas only No sentences In your own words No extra words

Where to Begin . . .

Preparing Note Cards Each note card should contain:

1. Only one idea.2. The number which corresponds to

the number on the source card.3. Specific sub-topic heading.4. Your notes (fact, paraphrase or

quote).5. Page number of information

included.

What to note:

1. Information that gives support to your

thesis2. Facts, Statistics, Definitions, Dates3. Opinions from authorities on your subject4. Information which relates to each of your sub-topic headings5. Quotations which state something important about your subject/thesis

Four Types of Note Cards

Source card

Paraphrase note card

Facts and statistics note card

Direct Quotation note card

Each time you use information from a source, write the necessary information for the type of source you used on your source card

Assign a number for each source used.

Source Card

1

Paraphrase Note Card In your paraphrase note card you are

putting someone else’s words into words of your own.

Ask yourself the author’s main ideas or purpose

Restate the idea in your own words Leave out all insignificant and/or joining words Read what you wrote down, be sure it has the

same intent as what the author wrote

Paraphrase Note Card Sample Write the sub-topic / focus point on the top left Write the number from the source card In the center of the note card, paraphrase important facts

and write answers to your research questions

Assign a number for each source used.

Symptoms for shigella

1

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, vomiting

Facts and Statistics Note Card

Single facts written in a very abbreviated form.

May be facts, statistics, dates or definitions. Leave out unimportant words as well as all

connecting words. Notes of this type add strength and support

to your report.

Facts and Statistics Note Card Sample Write the sub-topic / focus point on the top left. Write the number from the source card. In the center of the note card, list important facts, statistics,

dates, etc., and write answers to your research questions.

Assign a number for each source used.

California Gold Rush:Chinese Perspective

4

•1849 – 54 Chinese lived in California•1852 – 20, 000 Chinese lived in California•1876 – 116, 000 Chinese lived in California

Direct Quotation Note Card

A direct quotation is a sentence or phrase taken word for word from someone other than yourself. Used when:

Someone has phrased something particularly well. The words express a meaning as no other words could. An authority has stated an opinion about your topic. The effect of the quote is startling, thought provoking, or

shocking—it’s a good attention-getter.

Direct Quotation Note Card Sample Write the sub-topic / focus point on the top left. Write the number from the source card. In the center of the note card, write the direct quote using

quotation marks, and be sure to include who said it.

Assign a number for each source used.

California Gold Rush:Manifest Destiny

2

"California represented the last piece of territory in its expansion from the east coast to the west coast. And to have the Gold Rush happen that very same year, was almost as if there was a sign from God, a divine sign of approval of this process of expansion of the United States across the continent.“ - Madeline Hsu, Historian

The End

SIS Research Tips

Mrs. McCabeSIS Media Specialist