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How to
             actually
NOTE CARDS   make
             them
             useful!
ORGANIZING
Your paper will begin with an introduction that
 sets up your topic with background that leads
 into your thesis.
It will end with a conclusion that restates your
 thesis and summarizes the main arguments of
 the paper.
You need to concentrate on organizing the
 body of the paper.
DO YOU HAVE BACKGROUND?
       Many topics require that you start by providing
        background information.
       Think about what essential background information
        should appear early on, and group that information
        together.
       You might want to include:
          The author’s life (but only what is important!)
          Basic historical context
          Anything that leads into your topic
       For example, if I was proving Madeline was not real in
        “The Fall of the House of Usher” I might include:
          Poe’s relationship with the women in his life
          Mental illness during the 1840s
          A brief summary of the plot (what most people see on the
           surface)
ARGUMENTS
 After background, you should consider the kinds of
  materials you have to present in your paper.
   Think about your arguments and what order you want to present
    them.
     Least controversial to most controversial
     Familiar to least familiar
     Least to most important
   Don’t forget your counterarguments!
     Only you can decide where to best put these.
     Are they grouped together? Do they follow an argument?
     My suggestion is to not end with a counterargument, unless you
      have an amazing counter to it.
     If you have strong counterarguments, concede their strengths and
      discuss their limitations before your own arguments. (Don’t end with
      a counterpoint to your thesis).
THESE PILES = PARAGRAPHS

       Sort your note cards into separate piles of
        related ideas and information using your
        slugs/subtopics.
         Review your piles.
         Are you lacking in anything? (small piles)
         Are you loaded with information in one area?
          Do you change your focus? Do you separate this
          pile into several paragraphs?

       This is your last time to get more
        information!
ALMOST DONE!

   Once you have your note cards into
    separate piles, organize the facts within
    those piles into a logical order.

   When you type your outline, you should be
    able to flip through your cards and type
    without having to worry too much about
    organization.
NOW, CREATE YOUR FORMAL OUTLINE

 General rules
     You must use correct MLA format
     You must have more than one subtopic
     Use this format for the topics and subtopics:
        I.
               A.
                    1.
                    2.
               B.
         II.
               A.
               B.

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Organizing note cards

  • 1. How to actually NOTE CARDS make them useful!
  • 2. ORGANIZING Your paper will begin with an introduction that sets up your topic with background that leads into your thesis. It will end with a conclusion that restates your thesis and summarizes the main arguments of the paper. You need to concentrate on organizing the body of the paper.
  • 3. DO YOU HAVE BACKGROUND?  Many topics require that you start by providing background information.  Think about what essential background information should appear early on, and group that information together.  You might want to include:  The author’s life (but only what is important!)  Basic historical context  Anything that leads into your topic  For example, if I was proving Madeline was not real in “The Fall of the House of Usher” I might include:  Poe’s relationship with the women in his life  Mental illness during the 1840s  A brief summary of the plot (what most people see on the surface)
  • 4. ARGUMENTS  After background, you should consider the kinds of materials you have to present in your paper.  Think about your arguments and what order you want to present them.  Least controversial to most controversial  Familiar to least familiar  Least to most important  Don’t forget your counterarguments!  Only you can decide where to best put these.  Are they grouped together? Do they follow an argument?  My suggestion is to not end with a counterargument, unless you have an amazing counter to it.  If you have strong counterarguments, concede their strengths and discuss their limitations before your own arguments. (Don’t end with a counterpoint to your thesis).
  • 5. THESE PILES = PARAGRAPHS  Sort your note cards into separate piles of related ideas and information using your slugs/subtopics.  Review your piles.  Are you lacking in anything? (small piles)  Are you loaded with information in one area? Do you change your focus? Do you separate this pile into several paragraphs?  This is your last time to get more information!
  • 6. ALMOST DONE!  Once you have your note cards into separate piles, organize the facts within those piles into a logical order.  When you type your outline, you should be able to flip through your cards and type without having to worry too much about organization.
  • 7. NOW, CREATE YOUR FORMAL OUTLINE  General rules  You must use correct MLA format  You must have more than one subtopic  Use this format for the topics and subtopics: I. A. 1. 2. B. II. A. B.