This document provides instructions for taking notes on index cards. It explains that index cards should be used to [1] organize notes by subject, [2] record the author's name and page number, and [3] summarize information in your own words. An example index card contains the author's last name, a summarized fact written in the student's own words citing the page number, and the subject the fact relates to. Students are directed to complete 30 index cards, each containing a single fact, to practice this note-taking method.

1. Facts that Make Sense
How to take notes on index cards

2. Using index cards for notes will
help you...

Organize notes according to subject

Keep track of the author's name and page number

Use your own words because you summarize
information every time you take notes

3. So you already have your sources
written on index cards...
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. Boston: Little, Brown, and
Company, 1969.

4. Now you'll take notes on index
cards too...

5. The notes will look like this...
Hamilton history
Iliad is the oldest Greek myth.
7

6. Now we'll do one together

7. Write down the fact using
YOUR OWN WORDS.
Greek myths never talk about ghosts or astrology.

8. Write down the page number.
Greek myths never talk about ghosts or astrology.
10-11

9. Write the author's last name.
Hamilton
Greek myths never talk about ghosts or astrology.
10-11

10. Write down the subject this specific
fact talks about. This will help you
organize your research according to
subject.
Hamilton Topics of myths
Greek myths never talk about ghosts or astrology.
10-11

11. This shows what you include
where...
Author's last name subject
Write down facts using your own words.
Page #
The “subject” is a subtopic of your research topic. Subjects will eventually
become your paragraph topics. For my paper on Greek myths, I chose “topics,”
“history,” and “famous examples” as my subjects.

12. Assignment

Now that you know how to format notes on
index cards, complete 30 index cards of
notes. Use only ONE fact per card.