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The Declaration of Independence became one of the most important documents in U.S. history. To learn more about the Declaration of Independence, you could read and do research about it. To help yourself remember details from your reading and research, you could take notes. is writing down important facts, ideas, and opinions about a topic while reading or listening. Note taking is a very valuable and important skill. You can learn how to take notes by following the steps on the next three pages.
Taking notes
Skill 17
HOW TO.
Take Notes
The Colonies
Break Free
All men are created equal and
have rights! The King of Great
Britain has trampled the rights of
the American colonists! The
people of America demand self-
government! Therefore, the
colonies are declaring their
freedom from British rule!
This paragraph tells what the American colonists wanted to say to Great Britain. The message was written to the British king, George III, in a long document called the Declaration of Independence. In 1776, men from each of the thirteen American colonies came together to sign the declaration at the Second Continental Congress.
To find information, use sources such as history books, encyclopedias, biographical dictionaries, newspapers, magazines, documentary videos, and interviews.
Collect
Information
Find answers to the questions Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Look for answers to any other questions you can think to ask about your subject. Questions will help you choose sources, look for information, and decide which facts are important.
STEPS IN Taking Notes
Members of the Second Continental Congress signing the Declaration of Independence
in complete sentences. Use key words, phrases, and abbreviations. Summarize the most important information. 2nd Continental Congress tells T. Jefferson to write Dec. of Ind. Note where you found the information. Include the title of the source, author, date of publication, and page number. “Declaration of Independence.” Britannica Junior. 1961. 5: 41. A is exact words that someone has said. If you copy a quote in your notes, make sure to use quotation marks. Also make careful notes of who said each and every quote you use. “Well, if you are decided, I will do as well as I can,” said Thomas Jefferson when he was asked to write the Declaration of Independence.
quote
Use Index Cards. Index cards are a great way to keep and organize notes. Write one note on each index card, and arrange them in any order you like. You can quickly flip through the index cards to find the notes you need.
Write Subject Headings. are like titles that explain what a passage is about. For example, if you are looking in an encyclopedia for information about John Adams, you would search alphabetically for the subject heading, “Adams, John.” Write subject headings on your note paper or index cards. Then record your notes under the correct headings.
3
Write the
Information
When reading, listening, watching, or even thinking, take clear notes that you can read and understand later. Use your own words when writing notes. Make your notes short. You do not need to write notes
Subject headings
TIP If you use an author’s exact words, put them in quotation marks.
Organize Your
Information
You can organize your information in many ways. Here are a few ideas.
Make a Gathering Grid. A is a simple chart that you can use to sort information. To make a gathering grid, draw a grid like the one below. Write your topic and leave a space for your sources across the top. Write your questions in the left column, and your answers in the columns to the right. You may need to add columns as you add more sources and find more facts.
gathering grid
GATHERING GRID
Declaration of
Independence: Encyclopedia^ History Book
After 2 nd When was it signed? July 4, 1776 Continental Congress met John Adams and Who wrote it? Thomas Jefferson Benjamin Franklin helped
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
Benjamin Franklin
