1. Research Paper Note Cards
Improved Performance
Source #1
Study found standard test scores (+ or -) no relation to time or amt hw BUT time spent reading for pleasure = higher test results.
p.2
Language Arts, Ms. Hill
Adapted from

2. What goes on a note card Information that you get from another source
Where you got the information
The topic or assertion/claim it supports

3. How to take another author’s information?
Paraphrase
Summarize
Quote
DON’T PLAGIARIZE!!!!

4. PLAGIARISM
Any time you take a writer’s words and use them as your own, you are plagiarizing.

5. Using another writer’s words… the right way.
Paraphrase/Summarize
Quote
Include your own thoughts
AND ALWAYS GIVE THE CREDIT
TO THE REAL AUTHOR!

6. Paraphrase/Summarize
Summarize (compress/shrink down) in your own words
Translate and rewrite what the
author is saying·      

7. Example of what you read:
“… another study … discovered that the extent of that time commitment was ‘not associated with higher or lower scores on any [achievement] tests.’  By contrast, the amount of time children spent reading for pleasure was strongly correlated with higher scores. “
(“Does Homework Improve Learning, Alfie Kohn)

8. Example paraphrased:
Study shows (+ or -) standard test scores no relation to time or amt hw BUT time spent pleasure reading = higher test results.

9. Example quoted: Use quotation marks around direct quotes
Use NO MORE than 4 lines in a quote
Includ author’s last name and page number directly after the quote. For example:
“The amount of time children spent
reading for pleasure was strongly
correlated with higher scores.”
(Kohn, p2)

10. Stay organized…
In order to keep your ideas in order, and to remember where you found the ideas, there are four items that you will include on each index card

11. 4 Items to include on card
Improved Performance
Source #1
Study found standard test scores (+ or -) no relation to time or amt hw BUT time spent reading for pleasure = higher test results.
p.2
Topic
where you found the information
paraphrased information
or direct quote
page where you found
this information

12. 1. Card Topic
Think of it as the main idea (the claim or assertion) that your content supports.
Improved Performance
Source #1
Study found standard test scores (+ or -) no relation to time or amt hw BUT time spent reading for pleasure = higher test results.
p.2

13. Card Topic
For example, if your resolution is that homework is pointless, your claims supporting that assertion may fall into these categories:
Educational value
Student workload
Free time
Learning burnout

14. 2. Source
The source is the book, magazine, website where you found the information.
Improved Performance
Source #1
Study found standard test scores (+ or -) no relation to time or amt hw BUT time spent reading for pleasure = higher test results.
p.2

15. Source numbers
Give the source a number that corresponds to the number on your source page
Create a bibliography of sources
List by the identifying number you
used on the notecard

16. 3. information
The fact, thought or quote taken from the original sources.
Improved Performance
Source #1
Study found standard test scores (+ or -) no relation to time or amt hw BUT time spent reading for pleasure = higher test results.
p.2

17. information
Be sure to paraphrase at this stage, then you will be certain not to accidentally plagiarize someone else's work.
Avoid putting more than one idea on a note card/
Only put in direct quote that
which you plan to quote directly
include the specific source ( ).

18. 4. page numbers
Put page numbers on your note cards for term paper citations and to speed access to information from original sources.
Improved Performance
Source #1
Study found standard test scores (+ or -) no relation to time or amt hw BUT time spent reading for pleasure = higher test results.
p.2

19. Sample Note Cards Organized by Card Topic Improved Performance
Source #1
Study found standard test scores (+ or -) no relation to time or amt hw BUT time spent reading for pleasure = higher test results.
p.2
Student Workload
Source #2
Students find it hard to work all day and also have hours of work each night.
p.3
Free Time
Source #5
Surveys of parents by the NEA suggested that activities outside of class were negatively impacted by overwork.
p.2
Learning Burn Out
Source #1
Learning becomes identified with
Overwork and lack of other opportunities.
p.2

20. Don’t forget the Source List.
Number sources as per your notecards
Use the Son of Citation machine to format
Hand in page along with notecards
Source List
Kohn, Alfie. "Does Homework Improve Learning?." Homework Myth 2006: 2. Web. 26 Mar
Wallis, Claudia. "The Myth About Homework." Time Magazine Aug. 29, 2006: 1. Web. 26 Mar <

21. Information for this presentation came from the following source
“Researching and Organizing Your Paper: The Note Card System.” English Works! Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. Published:
Reese, Jolene. "Research Paper Note Cards." East Chicago Schools. N.p., Web. 26 Mar

22. THE END