How to Take Notes and Document Sources
Note taking is a very important part of the research process. It will help you:
- keep your ideas and sources organized
- effectively use the information you find
- avoid plagiarism
When you find good information to be used in your paper:
- Read the text critically, think how it is related to your argument, and decide how you are going to use it in your paper.
- Select the material that is relevant to your argument.
- Copy the original text for direct quotations or briefly summarize the content in your own words, and make note of how you will use it.
- Copy the citation or publication information of the source.
