1. How to Take Good Notes and Avoid Plagiarism
Unit 10: Research Strategies Workshop

2. Formatting Your Notes
You will be using index cards to take notes while you do your research
For each source you must do the following:
Record the full MLA citation of the source on the BACK of your card!
Always do this FIRST! You don’t want to risk forgetting and then not be able to use the notes later.
The Owl at Purdue: Link 2
Record a title on the FRONT corner of your card. Underline it so that you know it is the title.
Finally, begin taking notes on the front of the card beneath the title!

3. Take Accurate Notes
Quote the source by copying an important phrase, sentence, or paragraph word for word. Enclose the copied words in quotation marks.
You must do this to avoid plagiarism!
Write notes only on the front side of the card
Write clearly, legibly
Keep your cards organized
Use paperclips or rubber bands to keep cards on the same sub-topic together

4. Avoid Plagiarism
When you go to write your paper, paraphrase and summarize in your own words, or use quotation marks for direct quotes
Do not rely heavily on just one source- each paragraph of your research will need at least 2 different sources, so plan for that!
Place quotation marks around key words or phrases that come directly from the source—not just full sentences or paragraphs
Put away your source when you begin writing your paper. Work from your notes, not the source!

5. Avoid Plagiarism
When you do begin writing your paper, make sure you “give credit when credit is due” (The Owl at Purdue).
This means that you must cite (give the name of the source) any information that is not from your own mind, is not common knowledge, or is not an accepted fact.
Taking good notes during the research process will help you avoid plagiarism in your writing!

6. What Does it Look Like? The World Book Encyclopedia’s Website
Koala, hoh AH Luh, is and Australian mammal that looks like a teddy bear. It is sometimes called a koala bear or native bear, but the koala is not related to any kind of bear. Koalas have soft, thick fur; a large, hairless nose; round ears; and no tail. The fur is gray or brown on the animal’s back and white on the belly. Koalas measure from 25 to 30 inches in length and weigh 15 to 30 pounds.

7. What Does it Look Like?

8. What Does it Look Like?

9. What Does it Look Like?
In my paper, I would write… Koalas look similar to teddy bears. They have heavy fur and rounded ears. They do not have tails (Augee).