Composition and Literature
Note cards are a convenient way
to record and organize your
research.
As you find interesting facts about
your topic during your research,
you should write them down
They are also important because
they help you avoid plagiarism.
For your research paper, you will create a total
of 20 note cards from your two sources. (10
cards per source)
If you have more than two sources, you may
hand in more than 20 cards. Overall though,
each of your sources should be represented in
your cards.
These cards will then be used to help you write
your research paper.
You are required to hand in a minimum of 20
note cards.
Why is it a good idea to have MORE note
cards than you are required?
The more note cards you have, the more
information you have to use.
It is easier to take out information than to find
out you don’t have enough!
In the upper right hand corner of your card, write the letter
of your source (for example: “A”) and the number of the
note card (for example: “1”)
You also need to record the page number on which
you found the information.
Note Card Letter and Number A 1
Page Number 45
There are three ways to write note cards:
1. Direct Quotes:
This is when you copy the quotation from your source, word for
word, without changing anything (including punctuation)
2. Paraphrasing:
This is when you take the quotation and rewrite it, putting it into
your own words. A paraphrase should be shorter than the
original work.
3. Summarizing:
This is when you put a writer’s main idea(s) into your own words.
Very often, this occurs when a writer summarizes an entire
page or even chapter of a book.
Source Card Letter and Number of Card A-1
“Children may be subject to intense
emotional stress caused by fear and
anxiety…concern about physical safety,
and doubts about performance and
outcome. This anxiety may emerge if
children are ignored, chastised, or made
to feel that they are no good.” <- direct quote
Page Number 45
Original Text:
“...(in organized sports) children may be subject to intense
emotional stress caused by fear and anxiety ...concern
about physical safety, and doubts about performance and
outcome. This anxiety may emerge if children are ignored,
chastised, or made to feel that they are no good. Scanlan
and Passer’s study of preadolescent male soccer players
showed that losing players evidenced more post-game
anxiety than winning players. Children who experience
anxiety in sport competition may try to avoid failure by
shying away from active participation by developing
excuses or by refusing to try new things” (45)
Paraphrased Text:
Source Card Letter and Card Number B 2
Stress and anxiety on the playing field can result in
children backing away from participating in sports
because they fear rejection if they perform poorly. This
anxiety and stress is a result of the child’s fears of being
hurt or not being good enough. A study by Scanlan and
Passer, showing that boys who lose in soccer have more
anxiety after losing a game than boys who win, confirms
these findings.
Page Number 45
If you have a good set of note cards, and THINK before
you write, then your paper will almost write itself.
If you choose to just write anything down on your note
cards (just to hand them in) your paper will not make
sense, therefore lowering your grade (and possibly
failing you for the second quarter).
Carefully read and review your sources before writing
your notes—think about what your possible narrowed
topic may be and write notes which will support that
idea.
Create 20 note cards from your sources
Note cards will be worth 20 points total (1 point
per card) toward the final grade of your research
paper.
QUESTIONS????