Ask Yourself:    1.How do I keep track of the information I've found?
                                     2. How do I organize it once I'm ready to start writing?
                                     3. How do I cite my sources correctly?
 
 

How can I possibly keep this all organized?

   There are many strategies that can help you organize your research. First,  think about how you will physically keep all this work safe! Do you have a pocket folder or envelope? Do you need a computer disk to save notes written in a word processing program? Maybe all of the above! Just make sure that you have a special place to keep all of your information because it will save you lots of time later in your project. Use a separate folder or disk and that way you'll always know where everything goes.
Here's a helpful checklist of all the steps in the research process. Click on the dragon and print it to help you organize your project!

      Second, think about which way you want to keep notes.  Sometimes your teacher will specify which strategies you're expected to use . For example, you may be required to write 3x5 note cards and turn them in as part of your project. Sometimes (when your teacher is very, very wise) you will be able to pick which strategy works best for you. If you learn about a strategy that seems like it would work really well for you, talk to your teacher to see if you can substitute one strategy for another. The important thing is that you can use the information you collect, so be brave young knight, keep talking to your teacher!

You will have notes from your printed and web sources.  Use note cards if you are taking handwritten notes!! Each note card should paraphrase information from one topic only.  This is important...As you organize your information you will be able to sort the notes by topics. No matter how you take notes; you will need to make sense of them.

How do I take notes that I can actually use? How do I cite my sources in my notes?

       Once you find information you need, you must write it down. This is called taking notes. You should always paraphrase (which means write the notes in your own words).   You can take notes in several ways. You can use note cards, you can photocopy pages and highlight them, or you can use concept maps. You also may need to make an outline.

Did you know? You can view a site and take notes without using a pencil.  1.  Open the site.  2.  Open Notepad.  3.  Take Notes  4.  Print

Start by visiting the site.              In this case it is http://www.janeyolen.com.  Take lots of time to explore the site.  When you find something important to you: Open Notepad: Go to START  button on lower left side. Go to PROGRAMS. Go to ACCESSORIES. Go to NOTEPAD. Click on NOTEPAD to open. Adjust the size of NOTEPAD to easily view web site. Remember-Don't copy- Paraphrase. Print out your notes.

Hot Tip: Taking notes does NOT mean copying the exact words from a book, magazine, web site, or other source. That's plagiarism - and that's stealing someone's ideas!
Click here to learn about plagiarism.

Here's what a note card should look like and include:
 

How do I make an outline?
    Start with a big heading that is the title of the text.   Then for each paragraph, list a main idea. Under these ideas, you can add facts. Here's an example: