Eng 104 Composition II w/ Computers Research Notes Assignment
Overview
The most important thing to remember about the time-consuming process of note taking is this:
In taking proper notes you are "writing your research essays before you write your research essays."
As you do your research, if you paraphrase, summarize, or quote your sources, and record your own thoughts, legibly, accurately, and completely (see below), you are actually writing much of your finished research essays when you take your notes! Extra time and care spent on note taking will mean less time and aggravation writing your finished papers.
The Assignment
The Five Basic Kinds of Notes
2.) SUMMARY
3.) DIRECT QUOTATION
a.) The material is so significant or controversial that it must be stated with utmost accuracy.
b.) The style is so perfect, so memorable, so vivid, so succinct, that it seems beyond changing. Write "Direct Quotation" beneath the note.
4.) PERSONAL COMMENT
5.) COMBINATION NOTE
A. ACCURACY
2.) Record precisely--check wording, spelling; emphasize what source emphasizes.
3.) Distinguish between fact and opinion.
4.) Follow conventional grammar and mechanics.
2.) Identify the source of what appears on each card.
3.) Note the exact page number(s).
4.) Identify the subject of each card (upper left corner).
Your Grade
(
This grade will also be taken into account when your Research Unit Grade is being determined at the end of the course.
Taking sufficient notes--accurately and completely--is one of your most important tasks throughout the major Research Project. Doing so will help to ensure that you have amassed enough material to support your three increasingly lengthy research essays.
Take your notes for your research paper following the guidelines listed below. Aim to have several examples of each of the five kinds of research notes. Record your notes on large note cards (4x6 or 5x7 size). The instructor will ask to see your notes twice during the semester: first, before you write the first draft of your research paper; and second, when you submit the final draft of your paper at the end of the semester.
1.) PARAPHRASE
--To repeat phrase by phrase, but in your own words, what an author has written (a paraphrase has the same organization and the same length--approximately--as the original). Do not interpret--just restate. Write "Paraphrase" beneath the note.
--To record in your own words the essence of a passage, omitting examples or explanations (a page might be summarized in a paragraph, a paragraph in a line or two, etc. The summary reports only the central idea of what an author has said). Write "Summary" beneath the note.
--Easiest, but use sparingly to avoid overuse of quotations in paper (often considered undesirable). Use only when:
--As thoughts, reactions, opinions about what you are reading occur to you, record them, too, on separate note cards. Aim to create several personal comment cards during your research--doing so will greatly simplify structuring and writing your research paper. Use same form as other note cards. Write "Personal Comment" beneath the note.
--A note which combines any two of the other kinds of notes (e.g., Summary/Direct Quotation/Personal Comment, etc.?. Specify the combination beneath the note.
Qualities of Good Notes
1.) Read the material over carefully and completely before taking notes.
B. COMPLETENESS
1.) Write down everything you may need.
A good set of notes for the Research Project will have the qualities listed above and contain numerous examples of each of the five kinds of notes. Your notes will be graded with one of the three exercise grades:
+), ( ), or ( -)
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