note

Examples of note in the following topics:

• Taking Useful Notes on Your Sources

  • Organizing your notes is just as important as taking quality notes.
  • Thus, the first thing you should do when taking notes is to write down the full citation for the source on which you are taking notes.
  • You can choose to organize your notes for each source by subtopic so that when you get to that topic in your essay, you can easily find the notes on it.
  • You can do this by creating headings or subheadings within your notes.
  • Some people use index cards to organize their notes while researching.

• Writing While You Research

  • Once you have enough notes, you should start writing, even if you intend to keep researching.
  • We first research, then take notes, then outline, then write.
  • As you research, you begin taking notes.
  • If you have an idea for your essay while taking notes, don't wait to write it down—start developing it!
  • Once you have enough notes, you should start writing, even if you intend to keep researching.

• Maintaining an Annotated Bibliography

  • An annotated bibliography is a list of all your sources, including full citation information and notes on how you will use the sources.
  • It will be easier for you to revisit sources later because you will already have notes explaining how you want to use each source.
  • If you have space, note the specific information that you want to use from the source, such as quotations, chapters, or page numbers.
  • Then explain if the source is credible, and note any potential bias you observe.
  • Notes: This essay discusses the conversation about spontaneous generation that was taking place around the time that Frankenstein was written.

• Chicago/Turabian (NB): Footnotes and Endnotes

  • First, you need to place a number in the text to tell the reader what note to look for; then, you need to create the note itself.
  • Next, you need to create the note that the number refers to.
  • Every number needs a note.
  • You only need to create a note that contains all of this information once per paper.
  • If you cite the same source multiple times in a row, simply write "Ibid." in each note after the first—this means "this source is the same as the source in the previous note":

• Managing Information

  • Over the course of your research, you will probably compile many pages of notes.
  • Having an organizational system in place during research will keep you from becoming overwhelmed by your notes .
  • Many writers have their own unique note-taking systems, developed over time as they figured out what kind of structure worked for them.
  • For example, if you know that you want to cite a particular scholar, a quotation file would make it easy to locate all the notes you had on him.
  • Whatever system you use, make sure that every single note you take includes enough citation information that you can find it in its original text.

• APA: Tables and Figures

  • (Note that these pages should still include the running head and page number.)
  • If your table includes any abbreviations that need defining, or statistics whose significance levels need noting, immediately below the table, write the word "Note" in italics, followed by a colon, and then provide the needed explanation.
  • (Note that these pages should also still include the running head and page number.)
  • If your figure includes any abbreviations that need defining, or statistics whose significance levels need noting, include this information in the figure caption.

• Chicago/Turabian: Title Page

  • Note that the requirements may be different for doctoral theses or dissertations.

• The Importance of Citing Your Sources

  • Footnotes include a number at the end of the sentence that directs the reader to the appropriate note at the bottom of the page.
  • Endnotes are exactly like footnotes, except the notes are at the end of the paper rather than at the bottom of the page.
  • Annotated bibliographies include notes that explain what you found useful in a source, making it easier for you to refer back to a source later.

• Using Signal Verbs that Fit the Action

  • For example: To begin, it's worth noting that not all yellow and brown spotting on tomato plant leaves is indicative of early blight.
  • Including phrases such "to begin" or "in conclusion" signal larger argumentative transitions, while phrases such as "in other words" or "it is worth noting that" tend to be used to elaborate smaller, more local claims.
  • Draw attention: it is worth noting that, it should be emphasized that, it should be highlighted that, it should be underlined that, in particular, especially, mainly, chiefly, mostly, it should be pointed out that, it should be noted that, it should be remembered that, it is worth stressing that, is vital, is crucial

• Brainstorming

  • Jot down notes as the conversation progresses and you hear ideas that spark your interest.
  • Find a whiteboard, pick someone to write, and record ideas, topics, and notes as they come up.