Number each information card to correspond to the source card of the work from which it comes so that you can always refer back to the source. Organize your information cards according to subject matter. For example, if you are writing a paper about mountain wildlife, separate the cards about bears from the cards about moose. This way, you avoid searching through the cards when writing the paper. Use pen rather than pencil when writing on index cards.
Index cards are usually stacked and rub together, so pencil tends to smudge and become illegible.
Keep your index cards in a case or tightly bound with a rubber band. Make copies and put them in a safe place in case you lose your originals. If you use someone else's ideas or exact words without giving proper credit, you will be plagiarizing and may be punished. Inc. How things get done. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy .