NOTE TAKING GUIDE
How to Start
Read one general account of the topic quickly before you even start to make notes — this will give you some idea of what to look for. Use the Contents section of your reference to find this.
Refer to your purpose sentence to remind you what you're looking for — make sure that you've decided on the scope (this is the range and nature of the content) of your report.
Have a rough set of headings and subheadings already worked out to guide you in your reading. Write these on a separate sheet of paper for easy reference.
Use two or three books at a time — any more will only confuse you, and who has a desk big enough for more? Have these opened to the applicable pages (use the Index and Contents to find your information).
Skim the relevant sections in each book to get an overview. Don't write anything until you've done this!
Keep Track of Sources
Begin by noting the author, book title, and publication details of all the books
you're using at the top of each set of notes. This will save hours of frustration, trying to find the books again to list them in your Bibliography.
Organize Your Notebook
Use only ONE side of the page in your notebook or folder. If you're right-handed, the right side is usually easiest to manage (left-handed people will find the left side more convenient). The opposite side that you've left blank can be used for all those additional notes and references you always seem to find. It's also a good place for quick diagrams, sketches, questions, topics for further investigation, and anything else associated with the subject matter on the facing page.
Rule up a wide margin (at least one-inch) on your main page. Use this for page references, marginal headings, reminder notes to yourself, and so on.
Loose-leaf folders are probably the best bet if you're serious about succeeding in your studies — these allow you to add extra pages if you suddenly come across some sensational book. You can write up your new notes in the same section as all the others that deal with a particular part of the topic.
Use Your Own Words
In your own words write down a number of points (NOT sentences) under the headings and subheadings you listed on your sheet of paper.
DO NOT COPY STRAIGHT FROM THE BOOK!
If you copy word for word from a book, you may then forget to reword your notes and copy these words directly into your work. If you do this you can be accused of plagiarism. By reading the pertinent section and then expressing the ideas in your own words, you avoid this danger.
And now you can see why you listed all the references at the top of the set of notes — because you're NOT copying from one book at a time. You're reading the relevant sections in ALL the books first, then you're thinking about what you've read, then you're writing down the main points, using your own words.
Use abbreviations in your notes. You'll soon work out a system that suits you and that you understand. Don't worry if no one else uses the same abbreviations — these are your notes, for your benefit.