How to Use Electronic Note Cards
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How to Use Electronic Note Cards By Dan Chruscinski, eHow Contributor updated: August 11, 2010
Place your research on the digital version of a note card. Whether you are working on a research paper alone or with others, electronic note cards can organize your findings into one digital location. They can then be edited or combined with the cards of others. Electronic note cards move index cards onto your computer, using a standard format to track research data and sources. Electronic note cards can be created in any word processor to increase compatibility among multiple contributors. Instructions Things You'll Need:
o Word processor 1
Open a new document in any word processing software. Set your margins at 1 inch to stay within MLA formatting guidelines.
o 2
Type your name in the top left corner of the document. Type your teacher's name, class and date on the three subsequent lines.
o 3
Skip one line and write a single question on the note card. For example, if you are researching "Catcher in the Rye" you might have the question "Can Holden Caulfield be considered a hero?" Center the question on the page.
o 4
Go down one line and cite one source that you are using to answer the question. Use MLA style for the source. For example, if your research is from a book, the source would read: Smith, John. Holden as a Hero. New York: Random Publisher, 1999. Print. o 5
Move down one line and type in a direct quotation from the source that answers the question on the card. Include the name of the author and page number after the quotation. o 6
Type, in your own words, an interpretation of the quotation that you can use when constructing your paper. Do not paraphrase or restate the quote. o 7
Add any other quotations from your source. Follow each quotation with your interpretation. o 8
Move to the next page. Create a new note card starting with your name in the upper left corner. o 9
Save the electronic note cards onto your computer.
Your name here
Ms. Powell AP English Language and Composition (_ period)
Date
Center the first question you want to answer here
Cite ONLY ONE source (per note card) you are using to answer this question; this must be in MLA format; if the source is a book the citation would be:
Smith, John. Unique Careers in Show Business. New York: Random House Publisher, 2010. Print.
Skip a line and type in the DIRECT QUOTE you want to incorporate into your research paper. Place quotation marks around the complete quote. You can edit it later. Do not compromise the integrity of your quotations in your e-note cards! DO NOT PARAPHRASE or RESTATE the quote. (Quote #1 from Smith)
Skip a line and type your interpretation of the quote and make notes that will help you remember why you selected the quote for your paper.
Skip a line and add another QUOTE FROM THIS SAME SOURCE! (Quote #2 from Smith)
Skip a line and type your interpretation of the quote and make notes that will help you remember why you selected the quote for your paper.
Type as many quotes as you think you might need from this ONE source (Smith).
When you are done gathering and documenting quotes from this source (Smith), move to the next page and create a new note card for the NEXT source; start with your name in the upper left corner.
SAVE ALL OF YOUR WORK ON YOU FLASH DRIVE