How to Create Note Cards

• Fill in all of the information requested.  Your paper will receive an “F” if your teacher cannot use the information you provide to find the facts you use in your paper. You may not use a fact without citing it.  Such a fact is worthless.  NEVER write down a fact without noting the source!
• Use only one idea per card and write more paraphrases and summaries than direct quotes.
• All information must relate to the thesis statement.

Writing Quotations, Paraphrases, and Summaries

There are three ways to share information from another source:

·        Quote the source directly.

·         Paraphrase the source.

·         Summarize the source.  

When you quote directly, you include the exact words of the author and put quotation marks around them.  When you paraphrase, you use your own words to restate someone else's ideas.  When you summarize, you read a lot of information from a long selection, and just use a few of the main ideas that you restate using your own words.  In ALL CASES, you must cite your source with a parenthetical citation and a works cited entry.

To quote, follow the steps below:

·         Introduce the words being quoted with a signal phrase that includes the author's name.

·         Use quotation marks before and after the quoted material to show that the words are not your own.

·         After the quote, put in a parenthetical citation that includes the page number, if available.  Then put a period.  Do not put a period before the closing quotation marks.  If the author’s name is used in the signal phrase and no page numbers are available, no parenthetical citation is necessary.

Sample Quotation (From http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/p04_c08_s1.html)

Christine Haughney reports that shortly after Japan made it illegal
to use a handheld phone while driving, "accidents caused by using
the phones dropped by 75 percent" (A8).      (The “A” in front of the “8” shows that this quote comes from a newspaper which has lettered sections.)

To paraphrase, follow the steps below:

·        Skim the selection to get the overall meaning.

·        Then read the selection slowly and carefully, paying attention to important ideas and interesting details.

·        Then write the main ideas and most interesting details on a piece of paper WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE ORIGINAL SELECTION.

Sample Original and Paraphrase (From Writer’s Inc)

ORIGINAL PASSAGE

Kyudo, which means "the way of the bow" in Japanese, is the Zen martial art of archery. It was adapted into traditional Buddhist practice from medieval Japanese archers who used seven-foot asymmetrical bows called yumi. Although kyudo lacks the widespread popularity of karate or judo, it is often regarded as one of the most intensive martial arts in existence, taking an estimated 30 years to master.

The standard execution of kyudo involves a series of specific actions, including assuming the proper posture, approaching the intended target, nocking the arrow, drawing it, releasing it, and then repeating the process. After the second arrow has been released, the archer approaches the target, withdraws the arrows, and thus completes the exercise.

There is far more to kyudo, however, than simply shooting arrows. For every movement, the archer must maintain a specific posture, inhaling and exhaling at predetermined points throughout the exercise. The focus point for breathing and positioning is the region of the lower stomach called the hara. Careful attention to the hara is supposed to help an archer maintain a solid center of balance.

With continued practice, the archer gains greater abilities of concentration and action. In addition, the repetitive action and deep breathing greatly relaxes the archer-heightening his alertness and lowering his stress.

PARAPHRASE OF PASSAGE

Kyudo is the Zen martial art of archery. It was adapted from medieval Japanese archery into a spiritual and physical exercise. Through a series of specific actions, the archer prepares and shoots an arrow into a target and then repeats the action one more time. The archer's sense of balance comes from focusing on the lower stomach region. The focused breathing and balanced posture lessen stress and increase the archer's ability to concentrate (Taylor 26). 

Note: The student writer lets the reader know where the facts came from.  In this case, the author’s last name is Taylor and the page number is 26.  This tells the reader of the paper to go to the “Works Cited” page to find “Taylor” and  the name of the book and other publication information.  If the reader of the paper wants, he or she can go to the library and get the book to learn more about kyudo.

To summarize, follow the directions below:

·        Skim a long selection to get the overall meaning.

·        Then read the selection slowly and carefully, paying attention to important ideas and interesting details.

·        Then write the main ideas and most interesting details on a piece of paper WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE ORIGINAL SELECTION.

·        Then check to make sure you have only included MAIN IDEAS, descriptive details and repetitive information is NOT needed.

Sample Note Card (Make yours like the one below- on an index card, your own lined paper, or in a computer document.)

Note: Some instructors do not require the URL in your paper, but if you lose your printout, having the address will be handy.

IMPORTANT: Try to have your sources' domain names end in .edu or .gov to ensure reliability. If they end in something else, find an "About Us" or similar section to make sure you aren't getting wacko info.

©2010 Gale Sperry, www.mrssperry.com,  All rights reserved.