How to Use Note Cards for Writing

In High School when the teacher told the students to use note cards to speak in front of a class, the note cards were not just to remember the speech. This article will tell you how to use note cards for organizational strategies.

Step One: Use any size 4” X 6” note card for at least one idea each. Be consistent and use the same size card.

Step Two: Use the note card to write the source of your notes. It is not necessary to record all the bibliographical information on the note card. Record the author and the page number of your source. Also record the name of the source with a few key words. Completed bibliographical information can be kept in a separate notebook. Do not record the completed bibliographical information on the note card.

Step Three: Organize the ideas on the note cards into topics with logical headings.

Step Four: Organize the cards as the ideas will appear in the text of your writing.

Step Five: Use extra note cards to bridge in the gaps of ideas once you have assembled your note cards into logical order of ideas by the topic.

Step Six: The final step is to prepare a draft of your written presentation with references to the note cards you have assembled by ideas and topics. Bridge the presentation gaps with connecting ideas and topics on the note cards.