The note taking process is a very important step in writing the research paper. You must be sure to accurately record the information you need and the source of that information so that you can document it appropriately in your paper. One of the major causes of accidental plagiarism is careless note taking.

 

Your notes should be a mix of quotations, paraphrases, and summaries from the various sources you have selected. Some people prefer to take notes long hand on notebook or legal paper, others prefer to use the computer, and others prefer to use index cards for their notes. Whatever your preferred (or assigned) format, there are some basic guidelines that make note taking more manageable.

 

· Break your information into small chunks. Long passages of notes are sometimes difficult and time consuming to wade through when you are looking for one specific piece of information. If you are using note cards, limit each card to one piece of information.

 

· Organize your notes by their general subject. Label the top of your index card, make a note in the margin of your paper, or keep a separate computer file for your notes on each subtopic of your topic. This will help later in the writing process.

 

· Identify the source of each piece of information, whether you write it as a direct quotation or you paraphrase. It is generally best to use the author’s name and a page number (if applicable), but some writers like to assign a number to each of their sources and indicate the source by number in their notes. Whichever you prefer, make sure you are accurate.

 

· If you write notes that contain your own ideas, indicate that those ideas are yours to avoid confusion with source material.

 

Sample Note Card: (Usually 4 x 6 index cards are the best for this purpose)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guidelines for Using Quotations:

• When you quote from a source, you reproduce a passage of your source word for word.

• Do not overuse quotes. Use them only when their language is especially powerful, important to your argument, or necessary for technical clarity.

• Quotes can vary in length from one or two words to multiple paragraphs.

• You must always enclose quotes of fewer than four lines within quotation marks.

• Block quote longer quotations by indenting the entire passage one inch (10 spaces) from the left margin. Do not use quotation marks with a block quote.

• If you omit words use an ellipse (. . .) to indicate that words from the original have been left out.

• Clearly indicate the source of your quote by putting the your in-text citation immediately after all quotations.

 

Guidelines for Paraphrasing:

• When you paraphrase you restate specific ideas in your own words and in a different sentence structure.

• If you borrow specific words or phrases you must use quotation marks around those words or phrases.

• Make sure you restate ideas accurately.

• Begin your paraphrase by indicating the source the material came from so that it is clear where the source information begins.

• Follow your paraphrase with an in-text citation of the source.

 

Guidelines for Summarizing:

• When you summarize you briefly restate the main ideas of a source without referring to specific passages or pieces of information in the original.

• Summaries can be done of short passages or entire books.

• Use your own words.

• When you borrow any words or phrases from the original source enclose them in quotation marks.

• Make sure you restate ideas accurately.

• Begin your summary by indicating the source the material came from so that it is clear where the source information begins.

• Follow your paraphrase with an in-text citation of the source.