How to Do Source Cards for a Research Paper

A research paper requires information from multiple sources. Source cards are a way to organize the many books, magazine and websites that you cite in your paper. A corresponding letter on your personal notes and source card makes writing a cited works page a breeze and keeps you from having to go through the many research sources you already read. Some instructors require source cards on a project, so it's important to know the correct way to format them.

Things You'll Need

• Index cards
• Pen

Instructions

Books

1. Write the library's identification number in the top left corner. This number is usually located on the spine of front of the book and is written on a label by the library.

2. Write the name of the library directly under the identification number.

3. Write the source letter in the top right corner of the card. This is the letter that will identify your notes from each source. You can also use number or color coding to associate notes and source cards to each other.

4. Write the author's name on the center of the card. List the author's last name then first name and separate with a comma.

5. Write the title of the book next to the author's name and underline it. Write the city of publication. If this information extends beyond the first line, put it on the second line, but make an indention first.

6. Put a colon after the city of publication and write the book's publishing company. Put a period after the publishing company and include the copyright year.

Magazines

1. Write the source letter, number or color code in the top right corner of the card to identify all cards from each specific source.

2. Write the author's name on the center of the card. List the author's last name then first name and separate with a comma.

3. Write the title of the magazine article next to the author's name and put quotation marks around it. Write the name of the magazine and underline it. If this information extends beyond the first line, put it on the second line, but make an indention first.

4. Write the date of the magazine, add a colon to the end, and write the page numbers of the magazine that the article is on.

Websites

1. Write the source letter, number or color code in the top right corner of the card to identify all cards from each specific source.

2. Write the author's name on the center of the card, if it's listed on the website. List the author's last name then first name and separate with a comma.

3. Write the title of the website next to the author's name and underline it. If this information extends beyond the first line, put it on the second line, but make an indention first.

4. Write the date that the information was published, if it is listed. Also, list the date that you accessed the information. Separate the two dates with a period. Add the website's address at the end. Put brackets around the website's address.

References

• Rockwood School District: Research Paper Guide