“If you steal from one author, it's plagiarism. If you steal from two, it's research.”
—John Burke
Learning to take good notes is a skill with lifelong benefits. This guide provides helpful hints for writing better notes. The main point to keep in mind is that less is more. Take down only the most important information in a way you will understand later.
Organize Notes. Regardless of whether you use index cards or a notebook, keep all of your notes stored in one, easy‐to‐find location. Date each note, and name your source. Color coding notes for ideas or sections of your research, for example a blue title for any information on The Boston Tea Party, and a red title for the Battle of Lexington and Concord will help keep your ideas organized as well.
Write one idea heading or quote on each note card or page. This helps with organizing ideas or points you want to address in your research paper.
Is the quote important?
Does it help you understand the topic of research? Be sure the answer to both questions is yes. If not, don’t use the quote.
Write down all source information for citing. This includes the title, the page numbers, the author and/or editor, the year of publication, the publisher, and the city of publication. This is essential information for bibliographies, and if you note it now, it will save you a lot of frustration and time hunting for this information.
Always use quotation marks around direct quotes from a work, to keep from unintentionally plagiarizing. Also mark the author of a quote, whether it’s a researcher or a literary character. You don’t want to be asking yourself “Did Jo or Meg say this?” when you should be writing your paper.
Sticky notes! Using sticky notes or flags to jot down ideas, or mark special pages, is a good alternative to writing in the book margin, and the note or flag acts as a bookmark. Jot down unfamiliar vocabulary, or make note of literary techniques you find on the page, such as foreshadowing, or irony.
Stay Organized. Keep separate notes for each other. It will be helpful when you review them.
Sit as close to the front the classroom as possible. It will be easier to hear the professor with fewer distractions, when you sit at the front of the room.
Listen Actively.
Look at the speaker while s/he is speaking.
Listen for cues in the lecture, such as changes in inflection, and key words like “therefore,” “furthermore,” “more importantly,” and “this is key….”
Ask questions and be actively involved.
Review notes five minutes before class, and as soon as possible after the class. It keeps the information fresh in your mind and prepares you for future lectures and active listening. Use a highlighter to mark key points or questions.
Leave spaces or lines in your notes, and write down any questions you have. When you review your notes, the questions will give your review focus, and make you an active participant in studying. If you have comments for further insight, you can add these as well.
Don’t write everything you hear. You can’t be a student and a stenographer simultaneously. Few people can write as fast as a teacher is speaking. Jot down key words and relevant ideas instead.
Practice with different styles of note taking, and use what works best for you. Do you outline, or use bullets? Do you write brief sentences, just a string of words, or words and symbols? Play around with different styles of taking notes, and find what is the easiest and most effective for you.
One of the best ways to structure your notes and get to know your sources is by creating an annotated bibiliography. Click below to continue.