The Living Museum:Note Taking

NCMS 2012Leigh Anne Howard

Taking Notes for Research

Get an understanding of the whole piece of material before you use it

Skim over the material to make sure it is appropriate for what you want

Read headings, look at photos, maps, and charts, and read captions

Write clearly and neatly Look up unfamiliar words

Taking Notes for Research

If you find that a word is important, write its definition on a note card

Keep a file box of index cards to write your notes

Put only one piece of information on a card

Write on only one side of the card Write down important details in

quotations along with page numbers

Taking Notes for Research

Paraphrase information you want to use

Put quotation marks around any direct quotations

Taking good notes is half the battle!!!

Setting Up your Note Card

On the top line of every note card, write the topic/idea that categorizes the information on the card.

Population

Setting Up Your Note Card

In the middle of the card, write one piece of information. It seems like a waste, but it will make it easier to organize your information later.

Population

The population of Clarke County Alabama is 25,833.

Setting Up Your Note Card

At the bottom of your note card, record the information from your source. Try to get the author’s name, the title of the source, pages, date published, etc.

Population

The population of Clarke County Alabama is 25,833.

State Quickfacts, U.S.Census Bureau. Revised 12/23/2011. Date accessed 1/18/2012.