Step 6: Get Organized

Writing an academic paper goes much more smoothly if you design a system to keep you organized and to take notes:

• identify topic headings on each note card or loose leaf;
• indicate whether the information is a quote, a paraphrase, or a summary of the source;
• add your original thoughts about the reading; and
• on all cards or pages, identify title, author, and page reference in an abbreviated form.

Key Resources
Research Log
Research Log Example
Research log tutorial
Note taking effectively from research from Purdue University.
Taking notes from research reading from the University of Toronto.
Reference/Study Note Cards