Taking Notes
Use notebook paper, index cards, a computer, or all three to take notes while you do your research. And stay organized to save time.
Note-taking tips
- Take notes as you read.
- Use your own words by summarizing or paraphrasing what you learn. And make a note of the source* it came from.
- Record all of the info from each source that you'll need for citations and the bibliography.
- If you copy any quotations, put "quotation marks" around them. And make a note of the source they came from.
- Use codes to keep your notes straight, for example:
- M = my idea.
- O = opinion or idea from a source.
- F = interesting fact, data, or statistic from a source.
- Q = quote from a source.
* Source = book, article, website, interview, survey, conversation with an expert, etc.
Helpful links
- Facts on File: Taking Notes
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