1. Reading & Taking Notes

2. Reading and Taking Notes Reading Reading Bacon--Some books should be tasted; others swallowed. Bacon--Some books should be tasted; others swallowed. Research reading—beyond early exploratory reading—takes time and thought. Research reading—beyond early exploratory reading—takes time and thought. Search for information and concepts demands concentration, determination, and time. Search for information and concepts demands concentration, determination, and time.

3. Reading and Taking Notes Reading Reading Research reading demands the understanding of--- Research reading demands the understanding of--- –1) words –2) phrases and sentences –3) paragraphs –4) the chapter (summarize in 3 sentences) –5) the book (summarize in paragraph)

4. Reading and Taking Notes Reading Reading Research reading begins with information about author, pub., date, etc. Research reading begins with information about author, pub., date, etc. –Back cover, dust jacket, title page & verso, table of contents, introduction (author’s purpose, recognized limitations of work, intended audience, organization of book).

5. Reading and Taking Notes Reading Reading Next, read or browse concluding chapter in which author summarizes and draws conclusions. Next, read or browse concluding chapter in which author summarizes and draws conclusions. Only then are ready for the body of the book. Only then are ready for the body of the book. Rules (among others) for reading: Rules (among others) for reading: –Take notes. –Make a schedule and stick to it.

6. Reading and Taking Notes Evaluating Sources Evaluating Sources –1) Who is author? What written, areas of expertise, etc.? –2) Who is publisher? Learned or popular books? –3) Is the journal recognized as a specialized and serious journal? Time vs. Biblical Archaeology Review vs. Biblical Archaeologist Time vs. Biblical Archaeology Review vs. Biblical Archaeologist

7. Reading and Taking Notes Evaluating Sources Evaluating Sources –4) Date? 1907 pub. may only be useful to the history of your problem. –5) Author’s purpose? Can safely judge a serious book on basis of its introduction. –6) Style of writing popular or serious? Quoted conversations, colorful language and abundant contractions—suspect. –7) Bibliography? Notes? Extensive? Complete?

8. Reading and Taking Notes Evaluating Sources Evaluating Sources –8)Tables? Graphs? Maps? –9) Table of Contents detailed? Index? (In modern Eng-language books, index is often a mark of a good research source.) –10) Footnotes, bibliography—works recent and writers specialists in field? (Recent work sometimes cites old works.) –11) Tone of writing? Sober and objective? Emotional? (Language, strong; content, weak)

9. Reading and Taking Notes Evaluating Sources Evaluating Sources –12) Writing clear and easy to read? (Good research writing is simple and straightforward.) –13) Has source been translated? (Re- edited book deemed significant.) –14) Primary source? Vatican II—documents put out by council. Vatican II—documents put out by council. Book that comments on them is secondary. Book that comments on them is secondary. –These questions? Literary criticism.

10. Reading and Taking Notes Taking Good Notes Taking Good Notes –Manual notetaking –Computer notetaking –Time spent taking proper notes is time saved in total process. –No way to do good research without taking good notes.

11. Reading and Taking Notes Taking Good Notes Taking Good Notes –Note cards Same size Same size One item per card One item per card Bibliography cards on different size or type or color of paper Bibliography cards on different size or type or color of paper –Filing System Card (divider) (larger, stiffer, different color) for each section of paper envisioned Card (divider) (larger, stiffer, different color) for each section of paper envisioned Take notes as needed as read Take notes as needed as read

12. Reading and Taking Notes Taking Good Notes Taking Good Notes –Parts of the Note Card (heading, text, source) Heading Heading –Correspond to sections of paper –As change outline, must revise headings –Always written in same place on card (upper right hand corner)

13. Reading and Taking Notes Taking Good Notes Taking Good Notes –Parts of the Note Card (heading, text, source) Text (direct quotation, summary, reaction to) Text (direct quotation, summary, reaction to) –Direct quotations Exact Exact No spelling or punctuation variation No spelling or punctuation variation Use sic with evident error Use sic with evident error Ellipsis for any omission ( … ) Ellipsis for any omission ( … ) 4 dots for break between sentences. 4 dots for break between sentences.

14. Reading and Taking Notes Taking Good Notes Taking Good Notes –Parts of the Note Card (heading, text, source) Text (direct quotation, summary, reaction to) Text (direct quotation, summary, reaction to) –Summaries Don’t change sense or thrust of author’s thought Don’t change sense or thrust of author’s thought Label them as summaries. Label them as summaries. –Comments Jot down impressions. Jot down impressions. Give them a heading. Give them a heading. Point to item that triggered reaction. Point to item that triggered reaction. Date them. Date them.

15. Reading and Taking Notes Taking Good Notes Taking Good Notes –Parts of the Note Card (heading, text, source) Text (direct quotation, summary, reaction to) Text (direct quotation, summary, reaction to) –Source Author’s name and pages usually. Author’s name and pages usually. Two books by author; two authors by same name Two books by author; two authors by same name

16. Reading and Taking Notes Taking Good Notes Taking Good Notes –Computer Notetaking Subdivide page by 4 or 6 pages. Subdivide page by 4 or 6 pages. Put in appropriate headings, sub-headings. Put in appropriate headings, sub-headings. Be careful with numbers on 2-page notes. Be careful with numbers on 2-page notes. Keep two files at once—one bib cards, one content notes. Keep two files at once—one bib cards, one content notes. Print, cut up, sort manually. Print, cut up, sort manually. As write paper, paste quotation from content file. As write paper, paste quotation from content file.

17. Reading and Taking Notes Taking Good Notes Taking Good Notes –Useful advice Keep card to one idea, one reference, one precise piece of information. Keep card to one idea, one reference, one precise piece of information. Written only on one side (can then be moved without disturbing whole). Written only on one side (can then be moved without disturbing whole). When to quote? When an author expresses an idea with lucidity or in picturesque words, probably should quote. When to quote? When an author expresses an idea with lucidity or in picturesque words, probably should quote. When in doubt, quote. When in doubt, quote.