Whatever step in the process you are engaged in, it is essential that you take good notes. There are many different ways to do this. Some manuals suggest that you keep notes on index cards, so you can reorder them as your assignment evolves. Alternatively, you may wish to devote a section of your notebook to this assignment, or keep your notes electronically. Whatever you decide, there are some important things to keep in mind as you take notes, especially when you are dealing with secondary sources.