Just as in taking notes on a textbook, always skim the article or chapter you are reading before writing the notes. Notations should be concise, yet sufficiently detailed to provide an accurate meaning. Taking time to write notations neatly will avoid the time and frustration of later deciphering. Notes written in pencil will become blurred through handling and sorting. If you need direct quotations, use only a few of the outstanding phrases or sentences.
Most students tend to quote too much and too often.
Categorizing Notes Having recorded only one topic on each slip now permits you to arrange your slips into separate topic stacks. Also, having written on only one side of the slip enables you to see your full notes without turning slips back and forth. You ought to have clearly in mind before you begin writing what you want this material to add up to. Drawing Up a Detailed Outline Only by working out a detailed outline can you order and control your data so that it can be marshaled to support your stated objective. Worked into the outline, also, should be your approach, point of view, and strategy.