index cards research paper sample

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The Note Card System

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When you are faced with starting a research paper, the most important part of researching and beginning to write is organizing the information and your thoughts. If you are not organized, it will take considerably more time to write the paper.

To make it easy on yourself, you can use an index card system as you gather information. With this method, you categorize the information you find by topic. For each topic, you could have any number of cards from several different sources. Later, as you write your paper, each card topic becomes a body paragraph (supporting idea) in your paper.

Researching

As you find interesting facts about your topic during your research, you should write them down. Each sentence or idea that you find should be paraphrased (summarized in your own words), and written on a card. In order to keep your ideas in order, and to remember where you found the ideas, there are four items that you should include on the index card, as you will see below.

Although it may seem tedious to give each note card a topic name, it serves two purposes:

The source title is the name of the book, magazine, website, etc., in which you found the information. In the previous example, the source was given a number , instead of writing out the entire title. You could write out the title on each card, or simply list your sources on a separate sheet of paper, like the example here. Number your sources on this list, and then use the numbers on the note cards to specify which source provided which fact.

Sample Source List

Remember, this is not a complete works cited, bibliography, or reference page. You will need to add the publication information and use the correct citation format (APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, etc.) for the formal works cited page.

Item number three is the paraphrased information that you found. It is helpful to paraphrase , or summarize , your research on the index cards while you are taking notes. If you are consistent in paraphrasing at this stage, then you will be certain not to accidentally plagiarize someone else’s work. You will also have less work to do when you are actually writing the paper. the image of a notecard with a mark on page.

It is important to be accurate with the page numbers on your note cards, as you will need them for citations throughout your research paper. Be sure you know which form of citation your teacher requires. (For information on citing your sources, look at English Works! handouts on MLA, APA, and Chicago/Turabian Style citations).

Once you have written the information down on the note cards, you only need to go back and organize your cards by topic. Group together all the cards that have the same topic (i.e. all the cards titled: “ Hughes’ Poetry ” should be together). When you finish, you should have your cards in piles, one topic per pile. You can have any number of piles and any number of cards in each pile. The length and detail of your paper will determine how many piles and cards you have.

Your piles may look like:

Make an Outline and Start Writing

Once you have separated your cards into piles, each topic pile should become a body paragraph in your paper. That is the key to this system. If every topic directly supports your thesis statement, then each topic pile should become a supporting idea, body paragraph, or part of a paragraph in your paper.

But before you actually begin writing, you should make an outline of the order you want to present these topics in your paper. (For help making an outline, see the English Works web page on Pre-writing and Outlines ). Once the outline is complete, use your note cards as guides and begin writing.

For further help on writing a research paper, refer to the English Works! web page Process of Doing a Research Paper , Guide to Developing Thesis Statements , and/or Guide to Writing Introductions and Conclusions .

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• / Homework Help
• / Writing Skills

How to Write a Research Paper: Note Cards

–

Back from the library and ready to go

Read your sources and take notes.

After you've gathered your sources, begin reading and taking notes.

• Use 3 x 5 index cards, one fact or idea per card. This way related ideas from different sources can be easily grouped together or rearranged.
• On each index card, be sure to note the source, including the volume number (if there is one) and the page number. If you wind up using that idea in your paper, you will have the information about the source ready to put in your footnote or endnote.
• If you copy something directly from a book without putting it in your own words, put quotation marks around it so that you know it is an exact quotation. This will help you to avoid plagiarism . (For more, see What is Plagiarism? ).
• Before you sit down to write your rough draft, organize your note cards by subtopic (you can write headings on the cards) and make an outline.

Check out the differences between these two note cards for a research paper on baseball:

Good note card:

WB, 2, p.133 Many Americans could name every major league player, his batting average, and other accomplishments. (What batting records were set?)

Bad note card:

Ty Cobb (Detroit Tigers) outfielder one of the great all-time players. Another star was Honus Wagner, a bowlegged shortstop. "Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball."

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Note-taking techniques I: The index card method

I graduated with my PhD years ago and I’ve been a professor for a pretty long time, so I thought that maybe I needed to settle down and clarify my ideas of the process I follow to take notes. In this series, I will share my processes to take notes using different methods. The very first method I use is the Index Cards Method. Other authors have referred to the process Niklas Luhman followed ( Zettelkasten ). Hawk Sugano has shared his Pile of Index Cards (PoIC) method as well. Mine isn’t all that sophisticated, and since I combine my very analog Everything Notebook and notes in index cards with digital synthetic notes , memorandums , Conceptual Synthesis Excel Dumps , and Evernote , I don’t know that my system would be extraordinarily systematic. But here goes more or less how it works.

People have asked me if you could digitize (or make analogous) all my processes. Of course. What I call synthetic notes (summaries of articles, books) can be done in traditional index cards. And the reverse, you can digitally store these in Evernote. Make sure to note page number pic.twitter.com/6MyK9MWtyU — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 26, 2018

I produce at least 5 different types of index cards, which are more or less the same categories other folks have all agreed upon. Here are some resources on taking notes in index cards that I found useful as I was trying to make sense of my own system.

1. The Direct Quotations Index Card I use index cards to write direct quotations (with page number and full bibliographic reference) from articles, books and book chapters I find useful. This card is the analog equivalent of my Synthetic Note method .

I am more used to writing index cards of books than of articles. I usually write important quotations but other times I summarize chapters or the entire book. pic.twitter.com/tMUdmyabR3 — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

2. The Bibliographic Reference Index Card It’s rare that I do this one anymore because I have been using Mendeley and EndNote as reference managers for more than 15 years, but this was my study method and strategy to conduct research before: I would write the full bibliographic reference in a 3″x5″ index card. Then I would write a small paragraph on the back summarizing the entire book, or at least, the main idea behind it.

This is an example of “bibliographic index card” – it’s basically the full citation plus keywords. It is VERY rare that I use an index card purely for bibliographic data as I use Mendeley, but it’s still worth discussing. pic.twitter.com/w5MZ6fTfMZ — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 29, 2018

3. The One Idea Index Card I find that these are useful for when you’re studying for an exam, testing your ability to recall, or when you’re giving a talk without reading a set of Power Point slides (e.g. when you’re leading a seminar, using each card as a theme for the seminar). I also use them to remind me of key authors who discuss particular themes and topics.

Some people use the 3"x5" index cards to write one major idea (theme) and a couple of sentences about it, like I do: pic.twitter.com/kDiDFgBjDZ — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 28, 2018

As I said on Twitter, this is very rare for me to do, and I usually combine my own types.

Some people recommend writing JUST ONE IDEA/quotation per index card. I don’t do this. I use 1 index card per article, and per book chapter. If a book has 9 chapters I write one for each chapter (more of chapter is very dense). Note this paper by @rioconpiedras on nonhuman agency pic.twitter.com/IFbCMpNB28 — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

4. The Summary Index Card This type of index card is a summary of a particular journal article, or book chapter, more than of an entire book.

I also write index cards of journal articles, particularly when I feel that they’re particularly powerful or relevant to my research. As you can see, this index card shows my notes of this article rather than direct quotations. pic.twitter.com/XTUHzmQdpJ — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

5. The Combined (or Content) Index Card

As its name indicates, the Content Index Card is a combination type of index card that includes direct quotations, draft notes and ideas, conceptual diagrams, etc. that are all associated with the main article, book chapter or book discussed in the index card. I use larger (5″ x 8″) index cards for those cases.

This is what some people call a “combined” or “content” index card. Note I included direct quotations (with page #s ) from Debbané and @rkeil ’s paper but I *also* write my own thoughts (e.g. “this paper converses with @andrewbiro and his social construction of scale paper” pic.twitter.com/dgkhh9lgpB — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

There are obvious questions that people ask me, so I’ll try to answer them here.

1. Can you do digital index cards? For sure. You can either do combinations as I do (physical index cards, then row entry in a Conceptual Synthesis Excel Dump row), or all digital (either in Evernote or simply in Excel, or synthetic notes or memorandums in Word or Scrivener as you may choose).

You can do digital or analog, or a combination, whatever suits you best. I combine, because I find that as I write on an index card, by hand, new ideas come to me. When I read full books, I write copious synthetic notes and then write a row entry in my Excel Dump. pic.twitter.com/IRCZSzgBls — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 26, 2018

When I designed my Conceptual Synthesis Excel Dump, I made sure to include a column with the Quotation and another with the Page Number. This is important because as we know, plagiarism is bad, terrible citation practice, and can lead to degree termination/career ending! pic.twitter.com/VDGgjAjZ2z — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 26, 2018

2. How do you store and classify index cards? I usually have boxes that fit my index cards, and add a plastic tab with the reference in Author (Date) format. Other people use different classification systems (by keyword, by topic, by author). I just recommend that the process be consistent across.

If you like the index card by hand method you may want to use plastic tabs and label each index card and store them in a box pic.twitter.com/QxNy1HW7Gr — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

3. When should I use memorandums and synthetic notes and Excel Dumps, when should I write in my Everything Notebook, when should I craft index cards?

This question has such a personal preference type of answer.

If I'm on a plane to Santiago, 8 hours by plane, my laptop battery lasts 3 hours, no chargers on plane – if I want to be awake and work on the plane, I need to write by hand, either in my Everything Notebook or on index cards. Also, if I feel mentally blocked, I write index cards — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

I'm always stressed and under pressure to write, submit, revise and publish papers, but I have slowly come to the realization that it's better to let my thinking simmer and evolve, and mull ideas over, and writing by hand helps me do exactly that. So, yes, I do write index cards. — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

Can all this process be digital? Sure thing. Even a combination can work. You could scan your index cards into an optical character recognition thingie and store the digital content into Evernote, tag it and easily search through your bank of notes. Or you could simply type them. — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

4. What size of index card should I use? This is again, a personal preference as I note in my tweet below.

I have index cards in 3 sizes: 3”x5” (for quick ideas, but could be used as bibliographic reference cards), 4”x6” (for quotations from journal articles and summaries), and 5”x8” (for full books or very dense articles and book chapters) pic.twitter.com/L9qZYStZa2 — Dr Raul Pacheco-Vega (@raulpacheco) November 27, 2018

I do teach my students the Index Card Method of Note-Taking because I believe it is important to learn the old-school techniques, but also because I find that it helps me, and I strongly believe that if it helps ME, then it may also help THEM. In subsequent blog posts I’ll share some of my note-taking techniques when using my Everything Notebook, and other types of media.

You may be interested in my other posts on taking notes, which you can access by clicking on this link .

You can share this blog post on the following social networks by clicking on their icon.

Posted in academia , writing .

Tagged with index cards , note-taking , taking notes .

By Raul Pacheco-Vega – November 28, 2018

2 Responses

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I’m going to try this method. How do you store different sized cards? How do you find what you are looking for? Do you put tabs on them all?

Dear Dr @RaulPacheco-Vega. I would like to appreciate you for the frequent advice and for sharing useful material. To be honest, I bought index cards while I was working on my PhD but I never used them. I think it was because I was unfamiliar. After going through this blog post, I am thinking of getting them and I am hoping to share my experience soon

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How to Write an Index

Last Updated: January 25, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Christopher Taylor, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Christopher Taylor is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of English at Austin Community College in Texas. He received his PhD in English Literature and Medieval Studies from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,007,830 times.

An index is an alphabetical list of keywords contained in the text of a book or other lengthy writing project. It includes pointers to where those keywords or concepts are mentioned in the book—typically page numbers, but sometimes footnote numbers, chapters, or sections. The index can be found at the end of the work, and makes a longer nonfiction work more accessible for readers, since they can turn directly to the information they need. Typically you'll start indexing after you've completed the main writing and research. [1] X Research source

Preparing Your Index

• Typically, if you index from a hard copy you'll have to transfer your work to a digital file. If the work is particularly long, try to work straight from the computer so you can skip this extra step.

• If footnotes or endnotes are merely source citations, they don't need to be included in the index.
• Generally, you don't need to index glossaries, bibliographies, acknowledgements, or illustrative items such as charts and graphs.
• If you're not sure whether something should be indexed, ask yourself if it contributes something substantial to the text. If it doesn't, it typically doesn't need to be indexed.

• In most cases, if you have a "works cited" section appearing at the end of your text you won't need to index authors. You would still include their names in the general index, however, if you discussed them in the text rather than simply citing their work.

• For example, if you're writing a book on bicycle maintenance, you might have index cards for "gears," "wheels," and "chain."
• Put yourself in your reader's shoes, and ask yourself why they would pick up your book and what information they would likely be looking for. Chapter or section headings can help guide you as well.

• For example, a dessert cookbook that included several types of ice cream might have one entry for "ice cream," followed by subentries for "strawberry," "chocolate," and "vanilla."
• Treat proper nouns as a single unit. For example, "United States Senate" and "United States House of Representatives" would be separate entries, rather than subentries under the entry "United States."

• Stick to nouns and brief phrases for subentries, avoiding any unnecessary words.
• For example, suppose you are writing a book about comic books that discusses Wonder Woman's influence on the feminist movement. You might include a subentry under "Wonder Woman" that says "influence on feminism."

• For example, if you were writing a dessert cookbook, you might have entries for "ice cream" and "sorbet." Since these frozen treats are similar, they would make good cross references of each other.

Formatting Entries and Subentries

• The style guide provides specifics for you in terms of spacing, alignment, and punctuation of your entries and subentries.

• For example, an entry in the index of a political science book might read: "capitalism: 21st century, 164; American free trade, 112; backlash against, 654; expansion of, 42; Russia, 7; and television, 3; treaties, 87."
• If an entry contains no subentries, simply follow the entry with a comma and list the page numbers.

• People's names typically are listed alphabetically by their last name. Put a comma after the last name and add the person's first name.
• Noun phrases typically are inverted. For example, "adjusting-height saddle" would be listed in an index as "saddle, adjusting-height." [8] X Research source

• Avoid repeating words in the entry in the subentries. If several subentries repeat the same word, add it as a separate entry, with a cross reference back to the original entry. For example, in a dessert cookbook you might have entries for "ice cream, flavors" and "ice cream, toppings."
• Subentries typically are listed alphabetically as well. If subentry terms have symbols, hyphens, slashes, or numbers, you can usually ignore them.

• If a proper name, such as the name of a book or song, includes a word such as "a" or "the" at the beginning of the title, you can either omit it or include it after a comma ("Importance of Being Earnest, The"). Check your style guide for the proper rule that applies to your index, and be consistent.

• When listing a series of pages, if the first page number is 1-99 or a multiple of 100, you also use all of the digits. For example, "ice cream: vanilla, 100-109."
• For other numbers, you generally only have to list the digits that changed for subsequent page numbers. For example, "ice cream: vanilla, 112-18."
• Use the word passim if references are scattered over a range of pages. For example, "ice cream: vanilla, 45-68 passim . Only use this if there are a large number of references within that range of pages.

• Place a period after the last page number in the entry, then type See also in italics, with the word "see" capitalized. Then include the name of the similar entry you want to use.
• For example, an entry in an index for a dessert cookbook might contain the following entry: "ice cream: chocolate, 4, 17, 24; strawberry, 9, 37; vanilla, 18, 25, 32-35. See also sorbet."

• For example, a beginning cyclist may be looking in a manual for "tire patches," which are called "boots" in cycling terms. If you're writing a bicycle manual aimed at beginners, you might include a "see" cross reference: "tire patches, see boots."

Editing Your Index

• You'll also want to search for related terms, especially if you talk about a general concept in the text without necessarily mentioning it by name.

• If you have any entries that are too complex or that might confuse your readers, you might want to simplify them or add a cross reference.
• For example, a bicycle maintenance text might discuss "derailleurs," but a novice would more likely look for terms such as "gearshift" or "shifter" and might not recognize that term.

• For example, you might include an entry in a dessert cookbook index that read "ice cream, varieties of: chocolate, 54; strawberry, 55; vanilla, 32, 37, 56. See also sorbet."

• Generally, an entry should occur on two or three page numbers. If it's only found in one place, you may not need to include it at all. If you decide it is necessary, see if you can include it as a subentry under a different entry.
• For example, suppose you are indexing a dessert cookbook, and it has ice cream on two pages and sorbet on one page. You might consider putting these together under a larger heading, such as "frozen treats."

• You may want to run searches again to make sure the index is comprehensive and includes as many pointers as possible to help guide your readers.

• Make sure any cross references match the exact wording of the entry or entries they reference.

• Indexes are typically set in 2 columns, using a smaller font than that used in the main text. Entries begin on the first space of the line, with the subsequent lines of the same entry indented.

Expert Q&A

• If creating an index seems like too large of a task for you to complete on your own by the publisher's deadline, you may be able to hire a professional indexer to do the work for you. Look for someone who has some knowledge and understanding about the subject matter of your work. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Make the index as clear and simple as you can. Readers don't like looking through a messy, hard-to-read index. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• If you're using a word processing app that has an indexing function, avoid relying on it too much. It will index all of the words in your text, which will be less than helpful to readers. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://ugapress.org/resources/for-authors/indexing-guidelines/
• ↑ https://www.hup.harvard.edu/resources/authors/pdf/hup-author-guidelines-indexing.pdf
• ↑ https://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/CHIIndexingComplete.pdf
• ↑ https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/publish-with-us/from-manuscript-to-finished-book/preparing-your-index

About This Article

An index is an alphabetical list of keywords found in a book or other lengthy writing project. It will have the chapters or page numbers where readers can find that keyword and more information about it. Typically, you’ll write your index after you’ve completed the main writing and research. In general, you’ll want to index items that are nouns, like ideas, concepts, and things, that add to the subject of the text. For example, a dessert cookbook might have an entry for “ice cream” followed by subentries for “strawberry,” “chocolate,” and “vanilla.” To learn how to format your index entries, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Using Note Cards for MLA Research Papers

In today’s digital age, it seems strange that organizing your research sources would be done on index cards. Instead of a mobile app or Google Doc, writing your sources on separate 3″ x 5″ index cards may still be a better way to help organize your citation sources. Although some teachers provide Word document templates that follow the same pattern, note cards make it easier to sort through each source for your MLA 8 paper. Creating an outline for your paper helps direct the research process.

Using MLA Container System

The MLA container system uses nine elements that you need to include in your citation. Of course, you won’t necessarily have all nine MLA core elements for each source. However, follow the template to make sure you’re finding everything you need to create the works cited entry.

• Title of source.
• Title of container,
• Other contributors,
• Publication date,

The main purpose of creating works cited entries is to lead the reader to the exact source you used in your MLA citations in text. Designed to be flexible, MLA 8 provides a way to capture data such as the version and web location of your research sources.

The Note Card Technique

To create research note cards using index cards, follow these steps:

• Create one note card for each source.
• Write down all data necessary to locate that source, using the core element list.
• If you are using a direct quote from that source, write that down on the index card and specify it’s a direct quote.
• Write a summary of the source, similar to preparing a preliminary bibliography.

Incorporating Note Cards Into MLA Works Cited

When you’re finished collecting your sources and writing out the note cards, separate the cards into subtopics. As you write your paper, consult the research note cards to make sure you are citing quotations correctly. As you sort through your note cards and prepare your preliminary bibliography, discard any sources you decide aren’t relevant.

Understanding the Research Process

Researching a topic takes time. You’ll probably do a few searches for broader terms, then narrow those topics down to specific topics and subtopics. Wait until you get towards the end before you discard sources, just to make sure you have what you need. You will go through this process a few times before you find the exact sources you need.

Follow Teacher Guidelines

Most teachers have specific procedures they want you to follow. Follow their guidance, collect your sources, enter them into your research paper and organize properly in your works cited list and you are on your way to an excellent grade.

MLA Format and Citations

Preparing to Write MLA College Papers

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Citing an Introduction or Afterword in MLA

Writing numbers in mla style, mla website citation examples, mla journal citation examples.

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Digital Index Cards for Research Papers

Barreling into grad school in the phase of life when I’m also juggling career and family has been no easy feat.

My study skills were rusty, and at the forefront were my research skills. I mean, I hadn’t assembled a research paper since the years when standard operating procedure dictated that you dust off the ol’ index cards, copy over your snippets from the text, organize them by highlighter, then spread them out and assemble them into something meaningful.

I was fully expecting that things would have changed in the [hrm] decades since I’d last gone through this practice, but when I set out to do my first Literature Review that first semester I was deflated to see that while the churning digital age had made most mundane tasks less of a burden, the index card dance seemed to still be the status quo on research paper assembly. 

ENTER AIRTABLE

I set out to find a better method that would shave some time off the inevitable busy-work related to school, and I failed on a few strategies before I fell in love with the  Airtable system . If you don’t already have an  Airtable  account (the free level is fine for this), go ahead and open one up, then copy  this Base template  into your account.

Using the Template

1.  make a fresh copy.

Keep your template base intact by always making a copy for each research project! 

2. Customize it for your Project

First thing’s first, go ahead and rename the tables so that it’s apparent what project you’re putting together.

On the first table, replace the [Class] placeholder with the name of the course your project is for, and on the second table replace the [Assignment] placeholder with the actual assignment name. You’ll be glad you did that down the road.

3. Enter your sources

4. provide context , use the thing, 1. launch the form.

• Clip : paste in the text from the article. 
• Source : click in the field and select from the articles you entered as your sources
• Page : record the page you took the clip from.
• Direct quote : check it if you didn’t paraphrase.
• Grouping : select a topic area to group by.

Put it all Together

2. Assemble

Go through and start putting your paper together. You can use direct quotes or paraphrase the quotes at your discretion. As you use the clips, check them as used. As you do this, they’ll disappear from view, so you can use this view as a checklist. 

Before you check the clip as used, scroll right (depending on your screen) to get at the citations, all ready to go. Use the appropriate one for quote vs. no quote.

As you move through your article clips, you’ll undoubtedly find snippets that seemed great during the harvest, but now… meh. When you see those just click Rejected and they’ll also disappear from view.  As you finish up, you can review the used and unused in dedicated views, accessible from the views dropdown. 

When you’re all done, head back to the Sources  table, and change it to the Used Sources view to get a list of exactly which sources you used. 

This will give you a list to take back to your Zotero, BibMe, RefWorks, or whatever you’re using, and grab out the full citations for your References. 

You could always add a column and put the complete citation into Airtable too, but the alternative has never been that cumbersome a process for me to bother. 

If anyone takes this and improves on it, let me know! I’d love to hear about your approach. 

Comments on This Post

Thank you so much for sharing. I can’t wait to test this out. I figured there must be a better way to keep track & organize the research than a basic spreadsheet. I’ve dabbled with Airtable before, so excited to see how this works out. Any additional details or tips you have figured out since you posted this?

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Making Note Cards

Ask these questions:

How do I do it?

1. Write the subtopic heading of the note at the top of each note card. (see Tip Sheet 11: Creating Subtopic Headings )

2. Write only one main point on a note card

3. Only write information directly related to your Statement of Purpose. (see Tip Sheet 9: Writing a Statement of Purpose )

4. Write only essential words, abbreviate when possible.

5. Be accurate: double check direct quotes and statistics.

6. Identify direct quotes with quotation marks and the person's name.

7. Bracket your own words [ ] when you add them into a quote.

8. Use ellipsis points (...) where you leave out non-essential words from a quote.

9. Distinguish between 'fact' and 'opinion'.

10. Include the source's number on the card (see Tip Sheet 4: Making Source Cards )

11. Write the page number of the source after the note.

12. Use the word 'over' to indicate information on the back of the card.

Sample note card:

:

How to Write a Research Paper

• Formulate Questions/Thesis
• Identify Keywords
• Find Background Info
• Search Strategies
• Dissertations
• Proceedings
• Statistics This link opens in a new window
• Primary | Secondary
• Scholarly | General This link opens in a new window
• Creative Commons
• Cite This link opens in a new window
• Quote, Paraphrase, Summarize

Work Cited Card

Notetaking tips.

Here are some important tips for notetaking:

• Use index cards or Zotero to track sources of information used in your paper.
• If using index cards, include all of the citation information (i.e., author, title, publisher, date, page numbers, etc.).
• If using index cards, put the citation information in appropriate (MLA, APA, etc.) format.  When it comes time to write your Works Cited page, it will be easier to organize your sources alphabetically.  Since Zotero formats your citations automatically, this will not be a worry if you're using Zotero.
• Use only one side to record notes.
• Record only one idea, fact or quote from one source on a notecard. It will be easier to rearrange them later when it comes time to organize your paper.
• Include a heading for the topic of the card. 
• Include the original source of the information. If you have created numbered Work Cited cards for each source, you will only need to include the source number.  
• Include the page number where you found the information.
• Use abbreviations, acronyms, or incomplete sentences to record information (as long you will understand them later). This will speed up the notetaking process.
• Do not write down everything. Extract only the information that answers your research questions
• Summarize the main idea of the article, then outline its main points.
• Paraphrase or record notes in your own words.
• Quote the information--copy the quotation exactly as it appears in the original source. Enclose the quote in quotation marks and note the name of the person you are quoting.
• Use symbols, diagrams, charts or drawings to simplify and visualize ideas.
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Using index cards for research, organize your information with index cards.

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Share this post, published august 9, 2023 in general, the ultimate guide to using index cards for studying, by scholarly, introduction.

Index cards are a simple yet powerful tool that can revolutionize your studying experience. In this ultimate guide, we will explore everything you need to know about using index cards for studying. From their history and benefits to best practices and techniques, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to make the most out of index cards for your academic success.

History of Index Cards

Past state of studying.

In the past, students relied on traditional methods such as textbooks, handwritten notes, and flashcards to study. While these methods were effective to some extent, they had their limitations. Students often struggled to organize their notes and review them efficiently. Flashcards, although useful for memorization, lacked the ability to provide a comprehensive understanding of complex topics.

Current State of Studying

With the advent of technology, studying has undergone a transformation. Digital note-taking apps and online study platforms have become popular among students. While these tools offer convenience and accessibility, they may not always be the most effective option. Index cards, on the other hand, provide a tangible and customizable study tool that stimulates active learning and enhances retention.

Future State of Studying

Looking ahead, index cards are likely to continue playing a crucial role in studying. With advancements in AI and online learning platforms, we can expect to see innovative features that integrate index cards into digital environments. AI-powered algorithms could analyze and optimize study patterns, providing personalized feedback and recommendations. The future of studying with index cards holds immense potential for enhanced learning experiences.

Benefits of Using Index Cards

Enhanced Active Recall: Index cards promote active recall, a technique proven to enhance memory retention. When you test your knowledge by self-quizzing with index cards, you actively engage with the material, reinforcing your understanding and retrieval strength.

Improved Organization: Index cards provide a compact and portable system for organizing your study material. By condensing information onto individual cards, you can easily sort and arrange them based on different subjects or topics.

Personalized Learning: With index cards, you have the freedom to create customized study aids. You can tailor the content, format, and level of detail on each card to match your learning style and preferences.

Versatility and Flexibility: Index cards are versatile and can be used for various study techniques such as summarization, keyword highlighting, and concept mapping. Their flexibility allows you to adapt them to different subjects and learning objectives.

Long-Term Retention: The repetitive nature of using index cards promotes spaced repetition, a technique that enhances long-term memory retention. By reviewing the cards at spaced intervals, you reinforce the learned information and prevent forgetting over time.

Significance of Index Cards in Studying

Index cards have stood the test of time and remain a staple study tool for several reasons. They offer a tangible form of note-taking that engages the learner actively. When creating index cards, students are forced to synthesize information and condense it into key points, which aids in comprehension and retention.

Moreover, index cards can be easily carried around, allowing students to study anytime and anywhere without the need for electronic devices or internet access. Their simplicity and versatility make them suitable for all subjects and learning styles, making them an invaluable asset for students of all ages and educational backgrounds.

Best Practices for Using Index Cards

Create Clear and Concise Cards: Each index card should focus on a single concept or idea. Use bullet points, keywords, or diagrams to convey information effectively.

Use Color Coding: Use different colors to categorize cards based on subjects, topics, or levels of difficulty. This visual cue helps you organize and retrieve information efficiently.

Test Yourself Regularly: Regular self-testing with index cards promotes active recall and reinforces learning. Create a systematic study schedule to ensure consistent practice.

Incorporate Visuals and Diagrams: Visual aids and diagrams can enhance understanding and memory. Use drawings, charts, or graphs on your index cards to represent complex concepts.

Review and Optimize: Periodically review your index cards to refresh your memory. Identify areas of weakness or gaps in knowledge and revise your cards accordingly.

Pros and Cons of Using Index Cards

• Portable and accessible
• Encourage active learning
• Promote organization and synthesis of information
• Foster long-term retention
• Customizable to individual learning preferences
• Limited storage capacity
• Prone to loss or damage
• Time-consuming to create and maintain
• May not suit all learning styles
• Not easily shareable or collaborative

Comparison of Index Card Tools

There are several index card tools available, both physical and digital, that can enhance your studying. Here are some popular options:

Physical Index Cards : Traditional index cards offer a tactile experience and can be arranged and organized manually. They are inexpensive and do not require any electronic devices.

Digital Flashcard Apps : Apps like Anki, Quizlet, and Brainscape provide digital flashcards that replicate the experience of using physical index cards. They offer additional features such as automated spaced repetition and collaborative sharing.

Note-Taking Apps with Index Card Functionality : Some note-taking apps, like Evernote and Microsoft OneNote, include index card templates or features that allow you to create digital index cards within your notes.

Online Study Platforms : Websites like StudyBlue and GoConqr provide online platforms where you can create and share digital index cards with other students. These platforms often offer additional study resources and features.

AI-Powered Study Tools : Emerging AI technologies are integrating index cards and intelligent algorithms to optimize studying. These tools provide personalized recommendations, adaptive quizzes, and advanced analytics.

Effective Study Methods with Index Cards

Here are some effective study methods that you can implement using index cards:

Keyword Highlighting : Create index cards with keywords or key concepts highlighted. Use these cards to reinforce your understanding of essential information.

Summarization : Write concise summaries of important topics on index cards. This method helps you distill complex information into manageable chunks.

Question and Answer : Formulate questions related to your study material on one side of the index card and provide answers on the other side. This method promotes active recall and self-testing.

Concept Mapping : Use index cards to create visual representations of key concepts or relationships between different topics. This method helps you visualize the interconnectedness of ideas.

Spaced Repetition : Adopt a spaced repetition schedule to review your index cards at specific intervals. Gradually increase the spacing between review sessions to reinforce long-term retention.

Impact of AI on Index Card Studying

Ai applications.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize index card studying. AI algorithms can analyze studying patterns, identify knowledge gaps, and provide personalized recommendations for effective studying using index cards.

AI Techniques

Machine learning algorithms can leverage data from students' index card usage to optimize the learning process. Natural language processing techniques can extract relevant information from index cards, aiding in automatic summarization or generating personalized quizzes.

AI Benefits

The integration of AI in index card studying can bring several benefits, including adaptive learning, intelligent feedback, and personalized study plans. AI algorithms can adapt to individual learning styles and optimize the presentation of index card content based on each student's needs.

AI Challenges

While AI presents promising opportunities for index card studying, there are challenges to overcome. Ensuring data privacy and security, mitigating algorithmic biases, and maintaining a balance between personalized recommendations and over-reliance on AI are among the key challenges.

AI Potential Online Apps for Index Card Studying

SmarterIndexCards : This AI-powered online app analyzes your index cards and provides personalized study plans based on your learning objectives.

CardMaster : An AI-based study app that utilizes natural language processing to generate interactive quizzes from your index cards, enabling active recall and personalized feedback.

Acepedia : A comprehensive AI-powered platform that combines index card studying with collaborative features, allowing students to create and share digital index cards in study groups.

IntelliMemo : An AI-assisted note-taking and index card app that automatically extracts key information from your notes and generates index cards for efficient studying.

SmartPrep : This AI-driven study platform incorporates index cards, adaptive quizzes, and data analytics to optimize your studying and track your progress.

In conclusion, index cards are a versatile and effective tool for studying. Their benefits include enhanced active recall, improved organization, personalized learning, versatility, and long-term retention. Despite the rise of digital study tools, index cards continue to hold significance due to their tangible nature and ability to engage learners actively.

By following best practices and utilizing effective study methods with index cards, you can maximize your learning potential. Furthermore, AI technologies have the potential to enhance index card studying by providing personalized recommendations, intelligent feedback, and adaptive learning features. The future of studying with index cards looks bright, offering students new opportunities for success.

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How to write source cards for a research paper

If you wish to download it, please recommend it to your friends in any social system. Below are examples of source cards how do you write a background research paper how to write source cards for a research paper different kinds of sources. Next: Organize your ideas. Tip Sheet 8: Focusing a Topic www. Related Articles. Fools of Time: Studies in Shakespearean Tragedy. Baseball becomes popular Ty Cobb Detroit Tigers outfielder one of the great all-time players. Organize your ideas. Place a colon after the year and include the abbreviations n. Non-Clinical M. You will also have less work to do when you are actually writing the paper. You will be less likely to write down unnecessary information facts that are not related to your topic if you are careful to write down the topic for every card. There are many, many different types of sources: books, websites, videos, tv shows, people, to name a few. New and Emerging Signers Student Support. When you finish, you should have your cards in piles, one topic per pile. Look for sources of information. A world-class institute of changemakers in the deaf and signing community. You could write out the title on each card, or simply list your sources on a separate sheet of paper, like the example here.

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The Index Card System: A Perfect Way to Organize your Science Research

May 20, 2024 2 min read

In high school, one of my teachers taught me a method for using index cards in the research phase of writing reports. Through my college years, it developed into what I now affectionately refer to as the index card system.

In a nutshell, this method uses index cards for recording facts, and then organizes these cards into a straightforward outline that the students can draw from when writing their paper.

I don’t hold the market on this system, as I’m sure I’m not the first to use index cards to prepare for a research report or paper . However, I thought I would take a moment to share this simple technique for organizing research with you.

STEP 1: GETTING READY

The students will need to begin their research project by selecting a topic for research. Once they have that, they need to choose several categories into which their information will fall. These will help them organize their index cards and help them know how to determine what information is important to their project and what is not.

For example, if the student is researching for a science fair project where his question is, “Which soil is best for house plants to be grown in?” He could come up with the following research categories: 

• Soil Components
• Plant Growth
• Plant Structure
• Types of Soil

Once they have chosen their categories, have them assign a number for each one. Then, hand them a stack of index cards.

STEP 2: RECORDING THE FACTS

Now the students can delve into the available material on their chosen subject.

As they uncover bits of relevant data, they can write one fact in their own words on an index card. They should number each card at the top left with the category in which it fits. Then, they should assign a letter for each reference they use and write that in the right-hand top corner of each card.

This way, after they organize and sort their cards, they will know which references they need to include in their bibliography. So, their index cards would look like the ones below:

STEP 3: ORGANIZING FOR THE REPORT

Once the students have finished their research, they need to organize the cards to prepare for writing their report. They can sort their cards into piles using the research categories, which are in the top left-hand corner.

Then, have them read through each of the facts to determine the most relevant pieces of information from each pile. You may need to help them as they decide which ones pertain to their project and which do not.

This process will leave them with an informal outline that can serve as the basis for their report.

The Final Product

The index card system can work for any type of research project that your students have been assigned. Whether your student is just gathering facts for a  science fair project  or writing a  research report , they will find the index card system to be an indispensable tool.

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How to Write a Research Paper: Read Your Sources and Take Notes

–

Back from the library and ready to go

Read your sources and take notes.

After you've gathered your sources, begin reading and taking notes.

• Use 3 x 5 index cards, one fact or idea per card. This way related ideas from different sources can be easily grouped together or rearranged.
• On each index card, be sure to note the source, including the volume number (if there is one) and the page number. If you wind up using that idea in your paper, you will have the information about the source ready to put in your footnote or endnote.
• If you copy something directly from a book without putting it in your own words, put quotation marks around it so that you know it is an exact quotation. This will help you to avoid plagiarism . (For more, see What is Plagiarism? ).
• Before you sit down to write your rough draft, organize your note cards by subtopic (you can write headings on the cards) and make an outline.

Check out the differences between these two note cards for a research paper on baseball:

Good note card:

WB, 2, p.133 Many Americans could name every major league player, his batting average, and other accomplishments. (What batting records were set?)

Bad note card:

Ty Cobb (Detroit Tigers) outfielder one of the great all-time players. Another star was Honus Wagner, a bowlegged shortstop. "Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball."

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Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

The note card system

The note card system organizes research notes on 3×5 inch or 5×7 inch index cards. The system has been a staple for researchers for decades and is still recommended by researchers and instructors as a great way to organize your research notes.  However, even if you do not use actual index cards, the method of organizing and sorting notes still proves useful.

“Good notes and critical reading lead you to more sources, inspire new ideas, and pave the way toward sound conclusions. Knowing how to take good notes saves you headaches down the road, as you’ll know when and whom to cite and have clear ideas about the relationships that exist between your documents.” — William Cronon

The Research Note Card

So how do you turn an index card into a research note card?  Well, it so happens that there are simple rules to follow:

One Source Per Card

Clearly identify the source or document from which you take the note. Relating each note to a single source helps you later when it comes time to cite your sources.

One Item Per Card

Try to limit your note to a specific idea or quotation. Concise notes make it easier to rely on the note cards to create outlines and organize your writing.

Label Each Card

Keywords make it easy to track the content of your note cards. When it is time to write, the key words give you ideas on how to group and organize your cards.

Write a Complete Note

Make it clear whether a note is paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting directly, or recording your own thoughts and analysis. Taking this action greatly reduces the chances of unintentional plagiarism.  Additionally, full notes helps you gather your thoughts as you write.

Use Quotation Marks When Quoting

Just in case it wasn’t already clear: use quotation marks to protect against plagiarism. This is by far the easiest what to know when the text you see came from you or from someone else.

The Source Card

Source cards are all about looking ahead. In this case, looking ahead to when it is time to write and cite sources. Recording bibliographical data before you start taking notes helps avoid plagiarism and saves time when it is time to compile a bibliography.

Making Note Cards Better

Ilaro is a database for note cards.  Ilaro works to combine the best parts of the note card system with the intuitiveness and power of iOS.  In addition to providing note cards and source cards,  Ilaro improves the note card system with additions such as cards for both authors and subjects.

The Author Card

Author cards let you see, at a glance, the sources that person has authored or edited.  Ilaro’s author card also allows you to see which subjects you have related to that author.

The card displays the relationships across all your notes in all of your projects.  If you select a project, then the card displays the relationships just within the selected project.  If you select more than one project, then the Ilaro author card will generate and display the combined data for every selected project!

The Subject Card

Future Ilaro development will enhance research workflows by adding key features for organizing note cards and moving your research to the writing process.

More About the Note Card System and Research Note-Taking

The Craft of Research by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, Joseph M. Williams. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th Edition by Kate L. Turabian.

The Study Guides and Strategies Website . The  Learning Historical Research website by historian William Cronon. Purdue Online Writing Lab .

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• SCC Research Guides

Organizing Your Research

• Research Note Cards

You may have used Research Note Cards in the past to help your organize information for a research paper. Research Note Cards have you write out quotes or paraphrased information on a note card and include information such as the topic of the source and where you found the source.

There are five parts to Research Note Cards:

• This is going to be the main idea from your research assignment that your quote will connect to. Creating and organizing your information will make it easier to focus your research and complete your assignment.
• This will be the name of the source that your information is from.
• This will be either the quote or your paraphrased sentence(s) from the source. What evidence in this source did you find that will support your thesis statement?
• This is the page number that you found the quote on. If your source does not have page numbers (like an internet source)you can either leave this blank of include the section of the online source that you found this information in.
• Include the complete citation for your source on the back of the note card.

*Note:  It is important to only put one quote or paraphrase per note card.

In the top left corner of the note card is the topic that the quote relates to in the research paper.

Underneath the topic in the top left corner of the note card is an abbreviated name of the source this quote came from.

In the center of the note card is the quote/paraphrased information from the source.

In the bottom right corner of the note card is the page number the information came from.

On the back of the note card is the full citation for the source.

*Note:  Keep in mind, your note card might not be organized the exact same way as the example. That is okay, as long as you make sure you have all the information needed listed on the note card.

Because the quotes and paraphrases are on their own note card, you can group and reorder them in the way you want them to appear in your research paper.

• Use the topic at the top of each note card to group cards by subject.
• Put the groups in the order they should appear in your paper to support your thesis.
• Within each group of note cards, order the note cards in the way they'll appear in each paragraph of your paper.
• Think about the order information needs to be presented in order to build a case for your thesis.

Once everything is organized by topic and in order, you will have created a map or guide to follow when writing your paper. It may also allow you to spot holes in your reasoning or evidence -- you can then return to your sources (or find additional sources) to fill in the needed information.

Work Cited

"The Note Card System."  Gallaudet University , 2021, www.gallaudet.edu/tutorial-and-instructional-programs/english-center/the-process-and-type-of-writing/pre-writing-writing-and-revising/the-note-card-system/.

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30 Simple Index / Flash Card Templates [Free]

Most people know what index cards are. They’re these standard-sized pieces of card stock with lines. We often use them for a variety of different purposes. Mainly, people use them for jotting down and storing small amounts of information.

• 1 Index Card Templates
• 2 How to create an index card template in Microsoft Word
• 3 Note Card Templates
• 4.1 Doing research
• 4.2 Organizing your information
• 4.3 Make your research outline and begin writing
• 5 Making note card templates in Microsoft Word 
• 6 Flash Card Templates
• 7 Creating flashcard templates in Microsoft Word 

When you write down information on an index card and compile them, you can make a whole system out of it. This becomes a huge stack of information that can be used to recover information.

The usual size for index cards is 3 x 5 inches. However, these cards come in different sizes too. Although usually lined, index card templates may also come blank. They can also have grid lines and may come in different colors.

When you’re making an index card system, you can use special trays to hold your cards. You can find these in standard office supply stores all over the world.

Index Card Templates

While we live in a digital age where we store data on computers, index cards remain to be very useful. These small pieces of a card may seem retro but they’re really handy and practical. Here are some great uses of index cards:

• You can use them to make short and specific “To Do” lists.
• You can use them to take notes in class or at work.
• You can use them to monitor your projects. If you have a lot of projects going on, using these cards to keep track of them is extremely convenient.
• You can use them to come up with a very organized system. You can use index card templates at home, at school or in the office.
• You can use them to write a whole novel. Just write down your ideas a little bit at a time. Then you can compile all your cards to complete your novel.
• You can use them to leave a note or a message for someone.
• You can use them to make quick reminders for your day-to-day routine.
• You can use them to prioritize the things in your life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, list down all the things in your life on index cards. Then you can organize these things by priority.
• You can use them to keep things organized when you’re researching.
• You can use them to develop a consensus within a group.
• You can use them to keep your bills organized. It doesn’t just have to be your credit card bills. You can use these cards for all types of bills and statements.
• You can use them for doodling. Either that or any other type of artistic endeavor.
• You can use them to copy and store different recipes. Then compile the cards and keep them together for your reference when you’re cooking.
• You can use them for origami. They’re a bit thicker but you can still use them.
• You can use them to create your shopping lists.
• You can use them to make lists of books you’ve already read and those you want to read.
• You can use them as a log of your daily activities. This is especially useful if you’re trying to keep track of what you’re eating, spending, and so on.
• You can use them to organize all the parts of your home.

How to create an index card template in Microsoft Word

So we’ve established that index card templates are very useful. Another great thing about index cards is that they’re available everywhere. You can buy them in stores, you can download them here or you can even create your own template.

All you need is a computer, a printer, and some know-how. Here are some steps to guide you:

• Launch Microsoft Word and find the Page Layout tab.
• Once there, click on the Size, find the “More Paper Sizes” option, and click on it.
• In the paper size drop-down menu, click on the Custom Size option.
• Change the width to 5 inches and the height to 3 inches. If you want to make bigger templates, just input the size you prefer. After you’ve typed the sizes, click OK.
• By now, you would already have a printable index card template. You can leave it blank or add lines or a grid to it.
• You can also type a title for your template or any notes you’d like to print out.
• In order to make new cards on the same file, simply click the Insert tab then choose “Page Break.”
• When you’re done editing your template, you can print it out.

Making a template is really easy and simple. Once you have your templates, you can start using them however you wish!

Note Card Templates

Establishing a note card system  .

Aside from index cards, you can also use note cards for different purposes. One standout purpose of these cards is to use them for research. When you’re tasked to do research on a topic, establishing a note card system can help you out immensely.

From the start of the process to the end, you can keep yourself organized. Keeping things organized will make researching easier.

With such a system, you can categorize all the information you gather throughout. For each of the topics, you can use different note cards to keep everything organized. Then, as you start writing your paper, you’ll be able to do so faster and easier.

Here are some steps to follow when establishing a note card system:

Doing research

When you do research, you’re bound to discover some interesting facts. Keep an eye out for facts and information related to your topics. Whenever you find such useful information, write them down on the note cards.

Paraphrase the sentences rather than copying them verbatim. However, you should also note down where you found the information.

With these cards, you’ll be able to focus on what you’re researching more. Because of their size, you’d have to write all the information down in a brief and concise manner. This means that you won’t end up writing unnecessary information on the cards.

If you really want to keep your cards organized, you can number and color-code them. For each main topic, use a different color. Then, number the cards accordingly. This would make your note card system really organized.

Organizing your information

When you’re done with gathering data, it’s time to organize your information. By this time, you should have already collected everything you need. You would have gathered all the information from different sources.

So the next step is to collect all your note cards and organize them as you want.

If you used different colors, this process becomes easier. Just sort the cards by color and arrange them by number. Then, arrange the piles of cards according to the order which you want to write them on your research paper.

Make your research outline and begin writing

After organizing your note cards, you can start making an outline. Check the topics of the piles of cards you’ve sorted. Use them to create your research outline, making the writing part even easier.

When you’ve finished your outline, you can begin writing your paper. For each topic, use the pile of cards to write down the information. Use all the facts you’ve gathered to complete your paper in a very organized manner.

Through this system, you’ll be able to create a great paper. It would flow well and contain strong content. When you’ve established your note card system, you’ll become more organized and efficient.

This doesn’t just apply to research-writing. You can also apply this system when you have different projects or tasks ahead of you.

Making note card templates in Microsoft Word  

You can use note card templates in different environments. You can use them at home, in school, and even at the office. You can download note card templates here if you don’t have time to create your own.

Otherwise, you can make note card templates in Word. To help you out, we’ve come up with some steps in making such templates:

• Launch Microsoft Word and click on the Size.
• Click on “More Paper Sizes” then in the drop-down menu; choose “Custom Size.”
• Then you can change the size of the document to make them note card-sized. Usually, note cards measure 3×5 inches. However, you may use any size you prefer. Just enter the values for the width and height.
• Click OK and you’re done! It’s that simple. You can add lines to your note card template. You can even add some graphics or images if you want to add fun elements to your template.

Printing note cards differ from printing other documents you’ve made in Word. You’ll have to use a thicker type of paper called card stock so you shouldn’t overfill your printer tray.

When you print out note cards, just insert a few pieces of card stock at a time to avoid paper jams.

Flash Card Templates

Aside from index cards and note cards, flashcard templates are also very useful. Most of the time, people use flashcards for studying purposes. You can use them to teach children and older students too.

Flashcards are simple, versatile, and very handy. Here are some great uses of flashcards:

• You can use them to reinforce information when teaching students. If you want to do a quick review, use flashcards with pictures and text.
• You can use them to customize learning. It’s easy to make flashcard templates on the computer. So if you want to teach your child something, you can make your own flashcards and use them.
• You can use them to help you remember things better. Unlike with notes, flashcards contain images and other visual cues. These may help you remember things easier than just reading about them.
• You can use them to teach individuals or groups. When you use flashcards, you aren’t limited to teaching a single student. You can use the same cards to teach all the students in the class too.
• You can use them to encourage creative writing. Draw or find some great images and show them to your students. Then, you can ask them to create a story around the images to hone their creativity.

Creating flashcard templates in Microsoft Word  

There are many ways to acquire flashcard templates. You can download them here or make them by yourself. You can create flashcard templates using Microsoft Word.

Let’s take a look at some steps for making alphabet flashcards. Although these steps are specific, you can use them to make other types of flashcards too.

• Launch Microsoft Word and set the paper size and margins. To get the most out of the page, you can set the margins to “narrow.”
• Click on the Insert tab and insert a table into your document. Use a 2×2 table in order to create 4 flashcard templates on one page.
• Resize the table so it completely fills your document.
• Go back to the Insert tab and insert a text box. Drag the text box inside one of the table’s cells. Place it at the bottom part, making sure that it’s centered.
• Type “Aa” in the text box.
• Then, search for a picture of an apple online. Of course, you can use any other picture which begins with the letter you’ve typed. Find a good picture online, copy it, and paste it into the table’s cell. Make sure it’s centered on top of the text box you’ve placed.
• Repeat the process for all the other table cells until you’ve completed all 4. Then, print out the flashcards on a card stock.
• Cut out the flashcard templates and start using them!

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How to make an index for your book or dissertation

Dear Readers. Shaun Lehmann, Katherine Firth (of the Research Voodoo blog ) and I are currently in the process of writing a new book for Open University Press called ‘Writing Trouble’. ‘Writing Trouble’ will help you diagnose and treat your thesis writing problems.

The proposed book evolved out of our work on the Thesis Bootcamp program , a writing intervention originally designed by Peta Freestone and Liam Connell . Over the years all of us have been running our own bootcamps we have met hundreds of students struggling to put their final thesis draft together. These students have supervisors who are clearly great researchers, but cannot give good feedback on writing. The book works backwards from the confusing feedback students have showed us.

Part of our process with this new book is to test out some of our text on our audience – you. Here is part of another chapter from our section “Where’s your discussion section?” where we deal with the purpose of the conventional ‘bits’ of a thesis and how to treat them. This piece of writing on indexing relates to a previous piece I wrote on the Whisperer about how to do a glossary . It’s the first draft, so your feedback is appreciated!

If you’d like to know more about the book before it’s published, you can sign up for our writing trouble mailing list .

The index is the elder sibling of the glossary , who has grown up, moved to the big city and started doing drugs. Anyone who has been asked to write one will tremble a little in their boots, at least the first time. Basically, an index is a quick look up list of terms that appear in your dissertation or book. In a similar way to the glossary, an index serves a rhetorical as well as a communicative role by throwing a spotlight on the parts of your book that will be most interesting and useful to the reader.

Indexing is an even more labourious process than making a glossary, but the return on investment is definitely worth it. Beyond the academic examination context, a good index is a vital tool in convincing a reader whether or not to read (or buy) your book. How often have you flipped to the index of the book to see if there’s enough on the topic you are interested in to warrant the effort? That’s right – almost every time.

Until this book, only Inger had experience of writing an index and she did a pretty horrible job of it. Here is what she learned.

Step one: Develop some useful themes

To begin, you need to think about why a reader might want to buy or read your book in the first place. You are not writing a novel, so being practical is not a bad place to start. As a thought exercise, try to think about the kind of problems that your readers are looking to solve. Think of words or phrases to represent these problems and you have a rough list of themes.

Inger’s previous book “How to be an academic” was a practical guide to surviving in academia, especially if you are a precariously employed academic. She started by generating a list of things like “making money”, “dealing with assholes”, “writing quickly” and so on. She then tried to think about the themes she thought were important, to give the index reader a sense of the broad range of topics in the book. This generated terms like “networking”. These themes guided the next step: identifying the areas of text where these themes were discussed.

Step Two: find the chunks of text that relate to the themes

The next step is the absolute worst part of the whole process, so prepare yourself. To get to a list-y looking thing, one must read a text that one is incredibly sick of reading by now with a forensic eye. The purpose of this step is to take note of the various manifestations of your themes in the book and make a note of their location. DO NOT DO THIS STEP UNTIL YOU HAVE PRINTER READY TEXT OR YOUR PAGE NUMBERS WILL BE WRONG.

Each time you find that theme in chunk of text, think about a short word or phrase that might relate to that theme and note the page number. Inger’s first pass looked something like this:

Acronyms, value of                                         124 – 125

Arrogance                                                       50 – 55

‘Backstage work’                                            226, 236

Bookshelves                                                    306

Cleverness                                                       46, 49, 250 – 251, 255 – 257

Cultural Capital                                               46 – 47, 89 – 90, 245

Dinner Parties                                                 56, 60, 64

Competition                                                    260

Fashion                                                            85 – 90, 306

Gift economies                                                253 – 254

Hiring practices                                               62, 229 – 236

Love of the work                                             18, 76, 264, 288 – 291

Migrants                                                         56 – 60

Salaries                                                           31, 222

‘service’                                                           101

The new normal                                              39, 229, 231

Academia as a Bad Boyfriend                                           16 – 19, 32 – 33, 36, 231

Academic journals, questionable practices of                  156 – 162

Academic hunger games                                                   13, 229

ADHD                                                                                67

Amabile, Tessa                                                                  46

Aaron, Rachael                                                                  198

Architecture as a profession                                             28, 218

Baby Boomers                                                                   283

Becker, Howard                                                                125, 153 – 154, 193, 195 – 196

Bullying                                                                             52, 54 – 55

Blogging and social media

The purpose of the Thesis Whisperer blog     9

Time implications of blogging                         12, 177

Starting blogging                                            22

Mark’s simple rules of blogging                     38

Safe Spaces?                                                   48, 267

Writing posts                                                  82, 263 – 264

Value of sharing for your career                    112, 220, 303 – 304

As open access publishing                               154, 159, 220 – 222

Enjoyment                                                       256, 263

Mainstream media shit storms                      268 – 269

Social media shit storm                                  284 – 285

At a certain point in making this list, Inger gave up trying to keep it tidy and started using Nvivo, a text analysis software. This worked well, but she doesn’t recommend using this software unless you have the skills; there’s a big learning curve and you have a book to deliver.

Step Three: throw out the themes

When Inger’s publisher got this index, carefully compiled over a couple of weekends, she smiled kindly, thanked Inger for the effort and gave it straight to a professional. When it came back, it looked completely different. In Inger’s version, dinner parties appeared under the theme of ‘academic’: a vague sort of category, in the final version it appeared under D, you know – for dinner party.

The lesson? When you are generating an alphabetical list, it’s best to bear in mind the alphabet. Inger was close, she just needed to throw away the themes and arrange the list of key words in alphabetical order. The final touch would be to try to think of words that are related to each other and put “see also” under them.

Job done, no drugs necessary. Except, maybe – coffee.

This is how I did an index, but I’m sure there are more elegant and sophisticated techniques. Have you ever done one? Do you have tricks to share? Love to hear about them in the comments!

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Academia is a passive agressive, middle class dinner party

Your thesis is the map, not the journey

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The Thesis Whisperer is written by Professor Inger Mewburn, director of researcher development at The Australian National University . New posts on the first Wednesday of the month. Subscribe by email below. Visit the About page to find out more about me, my podcasts and books. I'm on most social media platforms as @thesiswhisperer. The best places to talk to me are LinkedIn , Mastodon and Threads.

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How To Make Notecards For Research Paper In Most Effective Way

Many supervisors, mentors, and teachers recommend their students and apprentices use research note cards while writing research papers. Notecards could be a great tool to organize your word and elements of research.

Note cards might seem like an old and outdated research method, but they still work. They do more than be a tool for you. Notecards help you organize your thoughts that are beneficial in your research and beyond. Let’s talk about some tips and tricks on how to make notecards for research papers.

Table of Contents

Why And How To Make Notecards For Research Paper?

With research note cards, it is easier to track your citations. When citing a source in your dissertation, you can write the source’s name on the note card and add the page number where you found the information. This way, you can quickly find the needed information.

Before writing notecards, look at all the information to write your research document. Once you know basic ideas, gather the main points of your research. Preferably, a 3″ x5″ note card would do your bidding.

Also, notecards look fantastic, and even if they’re scattered around the room, they would add an aesthetic touch to your room rather than making it look messy. Writing notecards will help you stay organized and  write a research paper fast .

Steps Towards Writing Notecards For Research

Here are steps to write perfect notecards for your research paper.

Get Yourself a Pack Of Fresh, Nice Smelling Notecards

When you think of how to make notecards for a research paper, the first thing that will pop up in your mind is: Where are the research note cards? For a dissertation, we will need a lot of them. Try to get some extra. That way, even if you grow short, you will have a new bundle to open and save time during your research process.

Gather More Ideas Than You Need

The more is always safe. It will be great to gather as many ideas and sources as possible when you have the  best research topic . It is the quality of a great writer to always  cite sources . It’s easier than ever to collect sources from the Internet as many as possible. The Internet is like an infinite library. When you have more data, sources, and ideas, you will have more choices to filter out the best. For example, you are  writing an outline for your dissertation  and adding critical points that you are about to discuss. You have twenty key points written on your notecards. When you reconsider and filter out the best, you will probably have half of them left, which is close to ten.

Shortlist The Sources

You have a lot of ideas and a lot of sources written on your notecards. Could you have a look at them again? Now you see that not all ideas sound impeccable anymore. You can take those notecards out, leaving you with the best of them. How easier was it with notecards? Imagine if you were doing this filtration process without notecards. You would have to write a whole new draft for this.

Use A Full Notecard For Each Idea

Remember we talked about getting extra notecards? Now you understand why. Every notecard must be devoted to a single idea. Using a separate note card for each citation, source, or quote would be best. Using one card for more than one idea will cause leaving out essential details. It will also confuse you and make you double-minded. Whatever the page number is, making index cards would always help. Whether you’re researching a 10-page research document or  writing a thesis for a research paper , every notecard must consist of a single idea, be it your own words or some text from a resource.

Write Down The Quotes

In the history of research, quoting and paraphrasing can be great tools to make your paper authentic and reliable. Please use separate notecards to include quotes. A direct statement in quotation marks or creating a bunch of them can make your research look more authentic. Note cards will help you remember where or when you will use them.

Label and Number The Note cards

Labeling and numbering note cards help you avoid trouble and confusion. Imagine the mess if your notecards suddenly fall out of your table and get scattered. It would be like having all your work wasted. You will need hours to reorganize them. Labeling and giving numbers will help you sort them and use them at the exact moment you are going to need them. If your note cards are all labeled and aligned, they can tell you a lot about  how to organize your research paper  as well.

Include Every Attribute / Aspect

A notecard must include every aspect of the source or citation you will use. Let’s create an outline of those factors. A notecard will typically include these necessary points:

• Name of The Author
• The Topic / Title of The Citation
• The Book / Paper that is cited
• Exact Number Of The Page
• Other contributors
• Editions / Versions / Volume
• Date of Publication

Let us discuss one trick that will help you beyond  writing research papers . It will help you in real life too. Whenever you do or say anything, ask yourself first:

Is it necessary?

The same goes for note cards. Only include what’s necessary.

Don’t Use Abbreviations Or Acronyms

When we are talking about how to make notecards for a research paper,  our writers  will disapprove of using abbreviations or acronyms. One abbreviation might have more than one meaning. The same goes for acronyms. This can lead to confusion. Staying accurate is the ultimate goal.

Now you can see that creating note cards for your dissertation is not rocket science if you have the right guide and  Academic writing service . We also learned that note cards are not as old as some might say, and they can help you get the best out of your research. However, if you still need clarification about how to make notecards for a research paper, wait to lose your heart. You can  contact us , and we can provide valuable insights we have learned while writing research over the years.

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How to Make Bibliography Cards

Organizing your research can make the research paper writing process easier. Nowadays, you may keep track of your research electronically through your word processing program, an electronic spreadsheet or other means. An older method is to use 3-by-5-inch bibliography and note cards to organize the sources you find and the information in them. Your teacher may assign these cards to teach you how to do research and cite your sources.

Citation Information

The bibliography card includes the citation information, which you will later use to create your research paper’s bibliography, or Works Cited page. Create a new bibliography card each time you find a new source. Write the author’s last name, followed by a comma and first name, and then the title. If the source has no author, start with the title. Lastly, add publication information, such as the city of publication and the publisher of a book or the journal’s name, volume and issue. For example, to cite a book in MLA Style, use the following format: Author, Name. Title of book (italicized). City: Publisher, Year of Publication.

Location and Summary

The front of the bibliography card should also include the location of the source. For library sources, write the name of the library and the call number. If you found the source online, write the URL. This brief location information should help you easily find the source again. Then, on the back of the bibliography card, write a brief summary about the source so that you remember why you chose that source for your research paper.

Note Cards and Organization

The bibliography card also helps you organize your notes from the source on the note cards. Each note card includes one fact from the source. It may be a quotation, a paraphrase or a summary. To organize and keep track of your research, write a letter on each bibliography card, and then, on each note card for that source, write the same letter and a number. For example, if the bibliography card is "A," then the first note card is "A1," and the second is "A2."

Final Tips and Advice

Instead of 3-by-5-inch cards, you could also choose 4-by-6-inch cards if you need more room, but always use the same size for both the bibliography and note cards so you can keep them together more easily. You could also use different colors for different types of sources or information. Write clearly and neatly so you can read the information long after you have written it. Mistakes can be costly, so proofread each card. For example, an error in the bibliographic information can cause you to make a mistake on the Works Cited page.

Melissa McDonald has been writing about education since 2006. Her work has appeared in “AdjunctNation,” “JCW” and “Honor Cord” e-zine. She holds a Master of Arts in English from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and currently works in higher education as a writing consultant. Beyond her work as educator and writer, McDonald volunteers as a judge in both local and national writing competitions for high school and college students.