When you read one online article, you probably have little trouble remembering what you read. But what happens when you read three articles? Or five? Or ten? The more you read, the less you’re likely to remember. Besides, if you didn’t think to bookmark those sites, you may not even recall where you found certain information.
Keeping track of what you find as you research will save you both time and energy. You can do this by taking notes as you explore your sources. There are several different ways to record your notes.
One way to take notes is to record information in a table. Another way to take notes is to list the source information at the top of a paragraph and then include your notes below.
Once you decide how you will organize your notes, you should include the same information for each one: the title of the text, the link or URL for the site, and a summary of what you read using your own words. You also can organize your notes further by identifying which categories they fall under.
Take a look at some of Dev’s notes about Japanese culture.
Religion
from “Shinto: A Look Into the Religion of Japan”
https://thetruejapan.com/shinto-a-look-into-the-religion-of-japan
Shinto means “the way of the gods” or “Kami” (spirits). Shintoism is the oldest religion of Japan. No one founded Shinto, and it has no sacred texts. Main ideas include honor and respect for the Kami that live in trees, water, mountains, regions, and ancestors. It can be practiced along with other religions.
Religion
from “Buddhism in Japan”
https://asiasociety.org/education/buddhism-japan
Buddhism first arrived in Japan in 552 B.C. Zen Buddhism is the most common branch of Buddhism practiced by the Japanese. All Buddhists seek to rise above suffering by clearing their minds and reaching enlightenment. When someone reaches enlightenment, they’re released from “the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth to which all beings are subject.”
Notice how Dev organizes his notes into broad categories―in this case, religion. He also uses some quotes from the articles themselves. However, most of his notes are rewritten in his own words. Your notes should follow this same format, with the majority of them being a summary of what you have read.
Question
Why is it a good idea to summarize what you read in your notes rather than quoting everything in the article?
