There are three general types of notes.

1. Direct quotations. This is when you copy exactly the words of the author.
2. Paraphrases. This is a detailed summary of specific paragraphs or a group of paragraphs that you put into your own words.
3. Summaries. In a summary, you write down in your own words a big chunk of information. For example, you would summarize an entire article, whereas you would paraphrase paragraphs within that article.

Label each note card as one of the above: "quotation","summary", or "paraphrase."

Once again, we will use the note card method to illustrate different types of note taking. Taking notes on quotations is a piece of cake; you simply write down word for word the passage you want to record. The key here is accuracy. Even if you see obvious grammar of spelling errors, write the passage down word for word (see sidebar).

The two examples used below are from the same sources used earlier as sample source cards. If this were a real research paper, I would stack them together with their matching bibliography card.

For example, all notes taken from Daniel Boorstin's book~ Americans: The Colonial Experience would be stacked with the source.

You will notice that each card's source number is in the upper right hand comer, and that the quotes are in quotation marks. Also, the cards are titled. This way you know what topic the quotes address. Make sure that you do this for every card, as it will make your life so much easier when you begin to write.

Because the above quote was taken from Microsoft's Encarta CD- ROM, obviously, we could not put down a page number. However, in the book quote from below, a page number is necessary.

Summarizing is another useful note-taking tool. When summarizing, you are just painting the big picture of the material in your own words. Again, you summarize an entire article or chapter in your own words. You paraphrase specific sentences, paragraphs, or a group of paragraphs. Here is a sample summary card taken from a magazine article:

Paraphrasing is where most students flirt with plagiarism, or copying someone else's words or ideas without giving credit to the author. When you paraphrase, you take the writer's words and put them into your own. Usually when paraphrasing, students translate the author's words sentence by sentence into their own writing. No problem, but you have to cite it. In other words, you have to let the reader know that the thoughts and ideas you just paraphrased are not your own. Check out the example of a paraphrase below:

• Original quote: "As the Southern states seceded, they seized and occupied most of the federal forts within their borders or off their shores. Only four remained in the hands of the Union." (Gallagher)
• Paraphrase: When the Southern states left the Union, they took most of the Union forts that were on their territory or off their coasts. The Yankees only held four forts in the entire South.

The paraphrase is what you would put on a note card. You would not need to use quotation marks because they are not the exact words of the author. Your card should look something like this:

• Original Quote: “By 1670, the legislature, following the English example, established property qualification: voters included only such as by their estates real or personal, have interest enough to tye them to the endeavor of the public good. As time passed, the suffrage was further restricted to exclude leaseholders and life-tenants; after 1699, one could not vote unless he was a ‘freeholder,’ that is, one who owned land outright.”
• Paraphrase: In the late 17th century, Virginia began voting restrictions that limited voting rights to white men who owned property. Renters, sharecroppers, or women who owned land were not able to vote. The thinking behind these laws was that you had to own property to make decisions for the public good.

Plagiarism is when you use the words or thoughts of someone else and claim them as yours. Plagiarism is theft-not of an object, but of ideas. In most high schools and colleges, the penalties are severe, ranging from failing the paper or class to suspension or expulsion.

In order to avoid plagiarism you need to cite or document your work. This just means you give credit where credit is due. Any time you
quote, paraphrase, or summarize someone else's work and put it in your paper, you need to cite it.

In addition to quotes, paraphrases, and summaries, you also need to cite the following:

• graphs and charts
• paintings and works of art
• songs or poetry
• videos
• maps
• statistics
• illustrations
• personal interviews

Using note cards is a great way to organize your research. You can keep your information neatly in order and compact. Organization makes the writing process much easier.

However, note cards are not for everyone. Taking notes on notebook paper or word processor is much preferred by some. Whatever your preference, the purpose of note taking is the same: keeping information organized and easily accessible.

The key to staying organized is having a system that makes sense to you.