Research Ready: How to Take and Organize Notes

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

So far, you’ve learned how to brainstorm topics and find great research sources. Now, it’s time to start collecting information!

• But how do you keep track of everything you find?

That’s where note-taking comes in!

Think of note-taking like building a puzzle—you need to gather small, important pieces of information and fit them together to form a complete picture.

If you just copy everything you read, you’ll end up with way too much information. Instead, good researchers summarize key facts, organize ideas, and put things in their own words.

• So, where should you write your notes?

Some people use notebooks or computers, but index cards are one of the best tools for research.

• Why?

Because they’re small, easy to organize, and can be shuffled around to help structure your writing.

How to Take Notes Like a Pro

When taking notes, follow these five golden rules.

1. Read carefully. Don’t just copy words! Read the whole section first to understand it.

2. Pick out important facts. Look for the main ideas, not every tiny detail.

3. Use short phrases. Write only keywords, not full sentences.

4. Keep one idea per card. This makes it easier to organize later.

5. Use your own words. If you copy something word-for-word, put it in quotation marks and write down the author’s name.

Organizing Your Index Cards

Follow this system to keep your notes organized and easy to use.

Step 1: Label Your Sources

Number your sources (Source #1, Source #2, etc.).

Write this number in the top right corner of your index card.

Step 2: Use Sub-Topics

Write a sub-topic (like "Dolphin Diet" or "Volcano Eruptions") in the top left corner of your card.

Use different colors for different sub-topics to stay organized!

Step 3: Keep It Simple

Write only one main idea per card.

If you copy a quote, put it in quotation marks and write the author’s name.

If your source has page numbers, write them down so you can find the information again.

Example Notecards

These cards help you quickly find information for your research without searching through entire books or websites again.

Now it’s your turn!

Keep going to Got It? to practice.