Note Cards

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Using Note-cards to do Research

OK. You have a subject which you narrowed down into a thesis. You developed that thesis into at least three main ideas you will use to support your argument, as you created your outline. You learned how to evaluate sources to maximize their impact on your thesis and you also learned how to write your Bibliography or what we're now going to refer to as your Works Cited page in MLA format.

Whew!

Now comes the fun part.

As we discussed, you have created a figurative skeleton or tree (pick your metaphor!) upon which you will flesh out your argument. What you need to do now is connect the dots. Let's see how we can best approach the meat and potatoes (stop with the  metaphors!) of the research paper.

Question:

How do we use note-cards?

Answer:

Check out these links!

After we've read and discussed this in class, you will want to come back to this page for a reminder if needed.

Assignment:

Since you already have four resources with the Annotated Bibliography assignment, transferring them to Source Cards is a breeze! You will do that, creating six numbered Source Cards.

WAIT! SIX?!? We only have FOUR sources!

I know. Find two more. That's part of this assignment.

When you have two new ASSESSED sources (that's up to you now - don't cheat your argument!), add the two new sources to the bibliography page. you will then need to REMOVE the annotations on the Annotated Bibliography, leaving only the Citations in alphabetical order.

Guess what? You're already in excellent shape for the next phase: research!

Then using those sources, you will start your research, creating five (5) note cards per source for a total of thirty (30) Note-cards and six (6) Source Cards.

Remember, a Source Card is the citation of a source. A Note-card is, as we discussed, a SINGLE NOTE, ONE IDEA! Don't make the mistake of cramming a bunch of ideas on a single card. Spread 'em out! That idea or note SUPPORTS a single IDEA of your paper.

For example, you will have six sources but you might have three ideas those six support, right? So don't forget to put the IDEA or SUBJECT of each note, what it supports in your outline, at the top.

That way, you'll be able to easily GROUP CARDS when the time comes to sit down and start the writing process, which is SOON!

The Nitty Gritty:

Note-card assignment, due 1/29:

  1. Updated bibliography
    1. minus annotations
    2. six sources
    3. alphabetical order
  2. Thirty-six Cards
    1. Six Source Cards
    2. Thirty Note-card
      1. Five per source
      2. Each with idea/subject noted on top

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