Source List and Notes

While researching for your debate and paper, you will need to take notes. Your debate must cite valid research sources, statistics, quotations, and other logical evidence. Please be able to cite all your evidence during your debate.

SOURCE LIST:  You will write the source, in the correct format on your source list (Works Cited) page.  For the purpose of notetaking, label your different sources with a different number (1,2,3, etc.).  SOURCES SHOULD BE ALPHABETICAL!!

*The only sources you are allowed to use are the library databases: SIRS databases, GALE/Infotrac, ABC-CLIO, Opposing Viewpoints, Historical Newspapers, etc.

NOTES:  Label each note “card” with the number of its source (the same one that’s on the source list) and a title so that you can tell what’s on it at a glance. Write down things like concepts, statements, or quotations that go along with your main idea.  Your notes may be done electronically or on index cards.  They need to be organized by topics and include a source number that corresponds with your source list.  (Topic headings could include: case studies, background information, etc.) 

You will need approximately two or three single-spaced pages of notes. 

Please see the kind of notes you should take below:

Summary:  Taking a lot of information (i.e. main idea, basic plotlines, etc.) from an article and completing rewording it for your own information.  Not necessary to directly cite this information within your paper as long as you are using your OWN words!!

Paraphrasing:  Taking parts, words, or phrasing from a text to explain a topic, but not using a direct quotation.  You must cite this within your paper!

Direct quotations/Statistics/Facts:  Taking direct words, facts, or statistics from a text to help strengthen a point.  You must always cite the source of this information within your paper!

FIRST DRAFT OF YOUR NOTES IS DUE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 22ND

An example of a note entry:

Background information on McCarthyism

  • Joseph McCarthy was a republican senator of Wisconsin known for attracting headlines with his charges of communist infiltration in American organizations.
  • McCarthy’s accusations were usually baseless and ruined the careers of many distinguished citizens.
  •   He became front-page news in 1950, when he publicly charged that more than two hundred secret communists had infiltrated the State Department.

(Summary/Source 1)