You can take notes in a notebook, but be sure to use only one side of the paper so that you can later cut up the pages to rearrange the information. After you have finished taking notes, you should have some idea, however vague, of how to organize your paper. Then write an outline, using your ordered note cards as an aid. Take notes that look more like lists than paragraphs. Discrete pieces of information will be easier to find.
Space notes so that only related bits of information are on the same card.
Notes on completely different topics should be written on separate note cards. Organizing notes this way helps with interpreting the information and selecting what is important and why. Write down more than the main idea. Include enough details, facts, or examples so that you will later understand the material. Use phrases and abbreviations.