the ECO 301Y course web page.

Updated on: 22 August 2013

TAKING NOTES FOR ESSAYS IN EUROPEAN ECONOMIC HISTORY

Taking notes properly is the key to proper research techniques and thus to the production of a good essay.

• The Golden Rule is: never put more than one idea, sub-topic, or set of facts on one issue on one card or page that you use for your essay notes.

• A model note: in doing research for an essay in economic history is contained in this pdf file (linked by the blue URL).

• Use note pads or cards measuring about 5 inches by 7.5 inches = one half sheet of standard paper.

• On each note, always specify: the date or time period (e.g., the century), the title of the note or sub-topic (short explanatory title), and the source from which you took the note, including always the page number (or document number).

• Avoid copying text directly, in order to avoid inadvertent plagiarism: try to take your notes by writing a short précis of the text that your are reading; and avoid using full sentences.

• Exceptions: your are permitted to copy texts in full, in order to cite them as direct quotations in order to substantiate a point or thesis in your essay: preferably from original sources, citing the text as evidence for your case. You may cite a passage from a secondary source, in order to attack, clarify, or defend a thesis of some other historian. But NEVER use direct quotations as part of your exposition: avoid an ugly and discordant 'scissors and paste' presentation.

• Thus another Golden Rule: use direct quotations only sparingly; avoid any excessive resort to direct quotations.

• Read with care my document on Instructions on Writing Term Essays.