BBCHS English Department

 

Taking Notes


Bibliography Cards: Before you take notes, make a bibliography card (see previous pages called "Bibliography Cards").

Also before you take notes, evaluate your source.  Is it reliable, authoritative, and does it contain information that is both correct and up-to-date?   Check with the University of Southern Maine for a checklist on evaluating sources.

Note Cards:
  1. Use a separate card for each new subject or new source and write on only one side.
  2. Write the author’s name and title of article or book in upper left of card.
  3. Put a subject heading in upper right corner of card.
  4. Put page number in parentheses after each citation.
  5. Put your initials in bottom right of card.

EXAMPLES:

Paraphrased, or summarized, ideas, outline style

Theodore Irwin, To Combat Child         Example of Child Abuse
Abuse and Neglect

Each year many children are injured or neglected

bulletbabies with burns
bulletchildren with broken bones
bulletbruises, cuts, sores (p. 6)

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When you copy word-for-word from the source, always put it inside quotation marks.  Ending punctuation goes inside the quotation marks.  If you choose to leave out any words in the middle, replace them with “. . . ”

Theodore Irwin, To Combat Child Abuse                             The Law
and Neglect

“All fifty states now have laws requiring medical practitioners to report . . . suspected cases of child abuse or glaring neglect.” (pp. 8-9)

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Paraphrased, or summarized ideas, paragraph style

Theodore Lewis, To Combat Child Abuse                             Agencies
and Neglect

SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect) has an advertising program in which they place ads in magazines, newspapers, and store windows.  They also advertise on radio to bring in volunteers and to raise funds.  They ask everyone to help. (p. 16)
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