NotesThe foundation for a well-written research

paper.

Don’t we know this already?

Then◦ 2-3 pages◦ 1 or 2 sources◦ Organized by source◦ 1 source per

paragraph (or page)◦ Wikipedia = OK

Now◦ 6-8 pages◦ 8+ REPUTABLE,

ACADEMIC sources◦ Organized by IDEA◦MULTIPLE sources

per paragraph◦Wikipedia ≠ OK

Research Papers

P.I.G.◦ Policy paper◦ Organized for you:

Background, Legislation, Statistics, Viewpoints, Policy Recommendation

Senior Thesis◦ Original thesis

Thesis: an unproved statement put forward as a premise in an argument

◦ Organized by subtopics CHOSEN by you

◦ All ideas are tied to your thesis

Senior Thesis ≠ P.I.G. Paper

Do◦ Put it in your own words.◦ Keep track of your

sources by color.◦ Make note of page

numbers.◦ Indicate “direct quotes.”◦ Differentiate between

speaker and author.◦ Take more notes than

you think you need.

Don’t◦ COPY notes◦ Take too few notes.

No notes = no paper.

◦ Leave your citations for later.

Notes Dos and Don’ts

Senior Thesis Notes

Detailed Notes = Detailed Outline

Senior Thesis Outline

Detailed Outline = Detailed Draft

Senior Thesis Draft

Detailed notes = detailed research paper Organize notes (sources) by COLOR Organize outline by SUBTOPIC / SUB-

QUESTION◦ Subtopics include multiple sources

In-text citations indicate sources within paragraphs

Recap

1. Put your Topic or Guiding Question at the top of your NOTES file.

2. Create sub-topics OR copy the KEY QUESTIONS you selected on the gray sheet into your NOTES file. Record notes in the appropriate section.

3. Use the Inquiry topics on the SENIOR THESIS page Web page (Projects & Research) to guide you to the best databases.

4. Take notes in COLOR!5. Copy and paste the entire CITATION into

your Notes page. Use COLOR here too.

Google Docs - Notes