1. What am I supposed to write???
Notes for Research
What am I supposed to write???

2. First things first You need to use index cards
The fastest, easiest, most economical way to keep everything organized
If all you need for your project is 1-2 outside sources, then just using some sticky notes on the pages you need might be sufficient (or printing short items from the internet and highlighting)
But anything bigger requires some different methods

3. Guidelines for efficiency
Create a source card for each source
This means create a card that contains all the info needed for the Work Cited page in the proper MLA format
Give it a number: 1, 2, 3, etc…
As you take notes from those sources, put the corresponding number on the note cards.
If you are reading source #2, put #2 on each note card when you record a fact from source #2.
If your cards get misplaced, dropped, or otherwise mixed up, you will know which note came from which source—otherwise, plagiarism could ensue.

4. MORE TIPS Quote word-for-word on your card
Use quotation marks
YOU CAN PARAPHRASE THIS info IN YOUR SOURCE, BUT ALWAYS QUOTE ON THE CARD
Make sure you include page number
If from a book, magazine, pdf
Internet sources typically don’t have page numbers
Paragraph numbers if they are given in source with no page numbers
Only put one fact on a card! This will be really important later

5. Why do I need to go to all this trouble?
It will help you immensely when you actually begin to organize and write your paper
Trust me. I’ve done this hundreds of times.
And the one time I decided that I really didn’t need to do it, was the time I realized how important it was; I ended up stopping my research, going through all my sources, and making notecards for all those sticky notes and highlighted lines.

6. Okay, now what? Once you have You’re ready to begin Notecards
Pencil/pen
Source cards
Rubber band/or zip lock baggie to keep it all in…..
You’re ready to begin

7. What am I looking for? Keep your research question in mind
You need to record information that will help you answer that question
Look specifically for the following:

8. Interesting facts
Have you encountered facts that made you say “wow, I didn’t know that!”— Write it down (note the source number)
Facts that will help your reader understand the topic better
Facts that help clarify the point

9. Expert testimony Statements by the experts in the field Lumberjacks
Doctors
Zoo keepers
Researchers
Soldiers
Teachers
Bankers
Engineers
Chefs
Ranchers
Geologists
Artists
Carpenters
Conservation officers

10. Testimony by those involved/affected
Eyewitnesses
Victims
Workers
Those with experience
Don’t read just about the science behind chemotherapy
Talk to people who have been through it
Don’t talk with only geologists about earthquakes
Talk with people who have lived through them

11. numbers Statistics based on research Tables that show data Money spent
Costs involved

12. opposition Never settle for facts that support only your perspective
To establish your ethos, you credibility as a researcher, ALWAYS be fair in your reporting
What does the other side say?
What are the downsides to your issue?
Depending on the topic, there may not be a ‘downside’
If there IS a downside, be careful about whose information you present.
You need to clear them as sources just like you do the sources you are using for support.

13. You then refute or concede opposing points
Refuting
Explain why their point is invalid; provide a rebuttal, a counterclaim
Conceding
Acknowledge that they have a valid point and that it’s an issue that needs to be addressed, solved, etc.

14. images
Depending on the topic, graphics may be used to illustrate points
Tables
Pie charts
Graphs
Diagrams
On rare occasions…photos or drawings that depict something that is difficult to describe in words
Use sparingly
IT IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE TO INCLUDE PHOTOS SIMPLY FOR DECORATION. THEY MUST ALWAYS BE FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY.
They may not be included in the page count—
They must be cited just like other info from outside sources

15. homework
Before moving ahead, be sure your research question and answer have been okayed. If you had to make adjustments, you need to run those by me again before proceeding.
THURSDAY
You must turn in source cards
You must turn in web site evaluation paper
FRIDAY
You must have ALL of your research/reading completed by Friday
This means you must finish taking notes—even on the sources you don’t have printed
Don’t assume you can do all of this Wednesday night
You should have all of your notecards with you in class on FRIDAY along with the printed sources