Kind of Note Cards

Kind of Note Cards

Outline note cards

 A note may be in the form of an outline covering either a whole article or part of. You Should not warp the actual discussion represented in the source.  Before progressing very far into note taking, you should prepare a preliminary outline or, at least, a list of major issues. To develop a preliminary outline, you must follow these steps:

1. Jot down ideas or code words in a rough list.
2. Give order to the list by arranging items into major and minor ideas.

 Summary and paraphrase note cards

 A summary is a brief synthesis of the original material in your own words.  It condenses the words from a source into a much shorter version. It may cover either all or part of the work and question.  One time to use summary note card is when you want to capture the main idea of a source but don't care about the exact words.

Paraphrasing is a technique for restating on your own the thought, meaning, and attitude of someone else. In other words, you interpret an idea, opinion or statement by rewriting it. With the   precis, you act as a bridge between the source and the reader. You must capture the wisdom of the source and approximately the same number of words (that is one of the duties of the researcher). It requires you to name the source (Who), indicate the source’s attitude with your verb (how), and rewrite the material (what).

 It is worth mentioning that paraphrasing keeps the length of the note about the same as the original but convert the original into your language and Style. It does place within quotation marks any specific wording of the source.

 When you write a summary or paraphrase, be careful to avoid duplicating the authors Wording.  Changing a word or reversing the order of phrases or sentences does not result in an adequate summary or paraphrase.

 

Quotation note cards

A direct quotation is an exact copy of a portion of the original text. The quotation may encompass one or more words, phrases, clauses, complete sentences, autographs. When you quote a writer's own words, enclosed them in quotation marks. You should quote exactly, even to punctuation and vagaries or spelling. There are specific cases for using direct quotation of secondary sources:

1.     to display excellence in ideas and expressions by the source.

2.     to explain complex material.

 success with quotation note cards require the following:

1.     place quotation marks around material that is directly copied onto cards.

2.     copy the exact words of the author precisely.

 You shouldn't use quotation marks for indirect quotation or for anything stated in your own style. As a matter of fact, direct quotation is helpful when:

1. the point is very important
2. the matter is something to be refuted
3. the statement concerned is ambiguous
4. your citation maybe called any question
5. the point is so well stated that the style will be advantage and your work.
6. the original represents an authority, especially a primary source.

 

Commentary note cards

 It is worth mentioning that commentaries may take various forms (queries, comparison, or facts or argument, ideas for developing certain points into the most original and variable features of the study). To locate maps and diagrams for commentary notes is possible here. 

 

Documentary (citation) note cards

 Documentation is the detailed citation of sources for fact and opinions used to support conclusions reached. This documentation takes the form of footnotes in the paper and bibliography, or list of sources used, at the end of the paper. You would better remember that the real reason for documentation is to support your work by showing the authorities you have based your reasoning on, and to give a proper credit for the sources you have used in your written work.

 Any researcher should keep in mind that the documentary note citation provides information on the aspect in this order:

1.  Authorship (if known)
2.  Title of work
3.  Publication of information (City, publisher, year)
4.  Place in the work from which the information was taken (page number).

 Using a separate card for each item gives maximum flexibility, in alphabetizing and all other kinds of arranging.

The following guidelines are useful when writing your own documentary cards:

1. Be consistent in the way you put down the source information; it will save your time later.
2. Write each source on a separate card.
3. Write general notes about the content on the back of the card, if you feel they will be useful.
4. Put the library call number on the card for sources you wish to locate again; this saves time.
5. Use a different color of card for source cards to distinguish them from information card. 

References:

Atallah, Dhuha. (2011). A Course in Library and Research Work. College of Basic Education/ Al-Mustansiriah University.