Taking Notes

Once you have found a source, how do you take effective notes?

Step 1:

SAVE YOUR SOURCE!

Once you find a source, save your citation right away! If you do not you may have trouble finding it later on.

The following is the information you will need:

• Name of the author
• Title of the source
• Container of the source
• Date of creation or publication
• Who published the source
• Version or Volume of the source
• Location of the source
  • Print sources: Page number
  • Digital sources: URL
  • Online database articles: URL AND page number
• Date of last access to the source (digital only)
• Where did you find the source?
  • if it is a library book, write down the Call Number to help you find it later.

To find out where to find this information, go to the following links:

• Print sources
• Websites

For an explanation of what these individual elements are, visit our MLA Citation Formatting section.

Step 2:

READ YOUR SOURCE!

By reading the source you will understand if it really is useful to you.

Look for keywords :

• Names
• Dates
• Words and terms relevant to your research

When reading a passage, try first to understand it as a whole rather than copying word for word.

Step 3:

TAKING NOTES!

Use your own words!

By using your own words you are will better understand what you have read rather than simply copying and pasting.

For even more effective notes, before you write something down:

• Put the book page down.
• Put away the screen or tab with the information.

Be selective. Choose and summarize the material that helps you make a point in your paper.

If you find a phrase or passage that you find very meaningful, you may write down a quote, labeling it as such. Click HERE for guidelines on how to quote and how to paraphrase.

Downloadable tools

• Bibliography Card