The following information should appear on each
note card:
- heading (taken from your writing plan)
- last name of the author(s) of the source
- page number of the source where the note appears
- the note (in the form of a quotation, a paraphrase, or a summary)
- a reminder to yourself as to why the note is important (optional)
Examples
Watling 13
Creon's Good Intentions
Creon acts "in full and sincere
consciousness of his responsibility for the integrity of the state" when he orders
that the body of Polynices not be buried.
(Creon means well. He thinks his new
law will maintain peace and order for his people.) |
Sophocles 179-180
Creon's Good Intentions
The first words that Creon speaks in
the play are "My countrymen, / the ship of state is safe."
(Creon immediately shows his concern
for the city of Thebes and his people. Shortly after, he announces his new edict.) |
As you take notes, make sure . . .
- to copy quotes accurately
- to put quotation marks around material you copy directly from your source
- not to put quotation marks around material you paraphrase or summarize
- not to take any material out of context
- to keep your notes short and concise
- to take notes that may help you to support your thesis in some way
- to write a heading on each note card
- to copy the author's name and page number(s) accurately
- to copy complete bibliographic information for your source on a bibliography card
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