How to Write References on Flash Cards
If you're writing a research paper for a class, you'll take notes from your resources on note, or flash, cards. It is important to document the source of a fact on the cards before writing down any facts to use in your report. However, you can create a reference card where you cite sources correctly, according to the style, such as MLA or APA, that your teacher assigns. Then, you'll have more room for facts on each flash card.
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Instructions
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Create reference cards, which are index cards that only list the sources you are using. These may be books, magazines, websites and other sources. These reference cards will not have any facts on them. At the top of these cards, write clearly: Reference Card #1 and so on.
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Follow your teacher's directions as to what style he wants you to write your references in when you create the bibliography page for your report. He may provide a style guide sheet for you, or you can find examples on the Internet. The two most common styles are MLA and APA (see Resources).
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Number each reference as you write it down on the flash card. For either style, you will information such as the authors or editors of the text, title, publisher, place of publication and the copyright date. If it is a website, you will need the URL. In most cases, you will also need to list the page numbers you use for information. You can always add the page numbers after you take notes.
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Copy the source's information on the reference card in the style you will need for your bibliography page. This way, you can make sure you have all the correct information in case you have to return references to the library before you create the final bibliography page.
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Label your flash cards you use to list facts with the source's title, author, page number and corresponding number from the reference card. This way, you will know where your information came from when you are writing the report, and you can quote a resource if necessary. Then you have all the information you need for documentation.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use a different colored index card to list your references. This helps with organization.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit note card image by Richard Seeney from Fotolia.com
