Note Taking Rules to Remember

Skimming: To read over text quickly for important key words You don’t have to read every word Use the index and table of contents in a book or encyclopedia – Index- alphabetical listing of names, places, and topics along with numbers of the pages on which they are mentioned or discussed – Table of Contents- a list of chapters or articles & the pages on which they start Look for important ideas or basic facts (don’t get TOO detailed about a certain part of your topic)

Paraphrasing: rewording information into your own words Keep notes brief- Do not use complete sentences. Use abbreviations when able (ex:, ft., min.) Do not use unnecessary words like a, an, the, in, of, etc. Do not copy information word for word or plagiarize- USE YOUR OWN WORDS! Plagiarism- copying the words OR ideas of another writer and using them as one’s own.

Things to remember: Only fill out ONE fact per sheet Always identify the source of your information Use the title page to locate source/citation information o Title page- the page at the beginning of a book/encyclopedia that states the title, author’s name, and the publication information including the publisher’s name, as well as the place and date of publication

More things to remember… Use your outline for “titles” in your NoodleTools note cards An unsigned article in an encyclopedia does not have an author A signed article in an encyclopedia has an author at the bottom of the article * Don’t try to take notes in order of the outline. Just take them as you find them in your reading. Your notecards will simply slide into the outline online. * Don’t cross things off the outline just because you found something under that section. You may find more information later.