How to Study

Next to the topic letter, jot down a one- or two-word
“headline” that describes the information on the card. 
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When you have finished taking notes from a particular
resource, put a check mark on the bibliography card. This 
will let you know that you’re done with that resource, at least
for now. 
Be sure that you transfer information accurately to your note cards.
Double-check names, dates, and other statistics. As with your 
bibliography cards, it’s not really important that you put each of these
elements in the exact places I’ve outlined here. You just need to 
be consistent. Always put the page number in the same place, in 
the same manner. Ditto with the resource number, the topic heading,
and the headline.
Add Your Personal Notes
Throughout your note-taking process, you may want to create some
“personal” note cards—your own thoughts, ideas, or impressions
about your subject or your thesis.
How to Study
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Write each thought on a separate note card, just as you did informa-
tion taken from other resources. Assign your note card a topic head-
ing and mini-headline, too. In the space where you would normally
put the number of the resource, put your own initials or some other
symbol. (I use “M” for “My Thought.”) This will remind you that you
were the source of the information or thought.
Step 6: Prepare a Detailed Outline
Your research is done.
Which means that at least one-half of your paper— perhaps as much
as three-quarters of it—is done, even though you’ve yet to write one
word of the first draft.
It’s time to organize your data. You need to decide if your temporary
thesis is still on target, determine how you will organize your paper,
and create a detailed outline.
This is where the notecard system really pays off. Your note cards
give you a great tool for organizing your paper. Get out all of your
note cards, and then: