The
Note Card Method "If you use this method,
your paper will practically write itself!"
Why use note cards? This is a great way to gather and
organize information for research. Do you
want to save time, stay organized and avoid plagiarism?
Try using note cards! You may use either 3" x
5" or 4" x 6" lined cards. You can
take notes from sources as you find them, and later
you can organize all your information in the order
you will use it. You may find it useful to punch a
hole in the corner of each card and keep all your
cards together with a ring.
Two types of note cards:
SOURCE CARDS for
writing all the information you'll need for your
bibliography
INFORMATION CARDS
for taking notes
Source Cards Complete one source card for each
book, periodical, web site or subscription database
article you use. For each source, record all the information
you'll need for your bibliography. Refer to the Fay
School Citation Guide to be sure you have all
the bibliographic information you need. Give each
source a unique code letter. Record that letter on
the top of each information card with your notes from
that source. To distinguish source cards from information
cards, you may wish to use colored cards or highlight
the top border of your source cards. To make it really
easy, use FAY PRINTED SOURCE CARDS
available on the RESEARCH CENTRAL
display in the library.
Information Cards On the top line, record the source
code letter, the page number (for a print source),
and a short title or topic for that note. Use one
card for each idea or piece of information and only
use one side of the card. Try not to use whole sentences.
If you will be quoting something exactly in your paper,
use quotation marks on your note card.
Taking Notes Only write something on
a note card if it relates directly to the question
you are answering or the problem you are solving!
Use one card for each idea or piece of information.
Use your own words and try not to use whole sentences.
If you think you might quote something exactly in
your paper, use quotation marks on your note card.
From Note Cards to First Draft After you
take notes from all the sources you’ve selected,
organize your note cards by sub-topic
or idea on a large table (or the floor). Look at all
the topics and organize the cards the way you would
relate topics and ideas using Inspiration™.
Prepare an outline. Be sure to review
the assignment and your essential question or thesis
statement. Are you missing any information? If so,
this is the time to find additional sources. Ask a
librarian for help!
Put the note cards in the order of your outline.
Write a first draft using your ordered note cards.
Think about the information you’ve gathered.
Remember that research means more
than just reporting—use the information
you’ve gathered to create your own perspective
or opinion on the topic. Draw conclusions
based on what you have learned.
