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