Avoid Plagiarism Learn how to take notes properly!

Tips for taking notes: Start by writing down the source! Researchers must tell where they got their ideas from… or else it’s like “stealing.” Read and re-read until you understand the section. Then, pick out main ideas. Skip extra information that doesn’t answer your focus questions. Don’t get off track!

Don’t use complete sentences. Don’t copy every word! Skip “tiny” words like “a” and “the”. If you want to copy the exact wording of your source, YOU MUST put it in “quotation marks.” Abbreviate! Use symbols or pictures instead of words. B/c = because H (an initial for a word you keep using)

Summary: Give source first! main ideas Skip “tiny” words like “a” and “the” only answer focus questions. Don’t get off track! Abbreviate! Use symbols! no complete sentences. exact wording: requires “quotation marks.” Put ideas into lists.

World Book OnlineWorld Book Online: “A heart attack occurs suddenly, but the factors that cause it take years to build up. Deposits in the coronary arteries begin early in life and eventually block the artery. These diagrams show one possible sequence of events leading to a heart attack.” Focus Question: What causes a heart attack?

World Book OnlineWorld Book Online: Focus Question: What causes a heart attack? “A heart attack occurs suddenly, but the factors that cause it take years to build up. Deposits in the coronary arteries begin early in life and eventually block the artery. These diagrams show one possible sequence of events leading to a heart attack.” Early life: fat deposits form.... Source: Build up...block coronary artery... WBO When closed H. ATTACK!

Now you try! See your handout! Read your focus question. Skim the section for the answer. Underline key words in the passage. Write the note. Follow the tips!

Disease can strike any part of the heart...The most common heart disease narrows the arteries that supply the heart itself with blood and oxygen. Deposits of fatty material gradually build up and block these arteries. If the heart receives too little oxygen, it may work poorly or even die. Damage to the heart muscle resulting from lack of oxygen is called a heart attack. A mild heart attack may force a person to lead a less active life, and a severe attack may cause death.

Bad note: Damage to the heart muscle resulting from lack of oxygen is called a heart attack. A mild heart attack may force a person to lead a less active life, and a severe attack may cause death. Why is this a bad note?

Good note: H. Attack Results: heart muscle damaged a less active life or death! Can you improve this note further? Source: World Book Online

Take another note from World Book Online! Doctors have also learned that people can take important steps to protect the health of their hearts. Most people can greatly reduce their risk of heart disease by exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and limiting the amount of fat and calories in their diets. Focus Question: How can heart attacks be prevented?

Doctors have also learned that people can take important steps to protect the health of their hearts. Most people can greatly reduce their risk of heart disease by exercising regularly, avoiding smoking, and limiting the amount of fat and calories in their diets. Focus Question: How can heart attacks be prevented?

Resulting note: Ways to prevent H. Attack: regular exercise diet: low fat and low calories don’t smoke Source: World Book Online

Summary: Give source first! main ideas Skip “tiny” words like “a” and “the” only answer focus questions. Don’t get off track! Abbreviate! Use symbols! no complete sentences. exact wording: requires “quotation marks.” Put ideas into lists.

Best order to use for research: Reference book (encyclopedia or a science encyclopedia) World Book Online Books from our Media Center Other databases on our media center’s Online Resources Online Resources