Write each thought on a separate note card, just as you did informa-
tion taken from other resources. Assign your note card a topic head-
ing and mini-headline, too. In the space where you would normally
put the number of the resource, put your own initials or some other
symbol. (I use “M” for “My Thought.”) This will remind you that you
were the source of the information or thought.
Step 6: Prepare a Detailed Outline
Your research is done.
Which means that at least one-halfof your paper— perhaps as much
as three-quartersof it—is done, even though you’ve yet to write one
word of the first draft.
It’s time to organize your data. You need to decide if your temporary
thesis is still on target, determine how you will organize your paper,
and create a detailed outline.
This is where the notecard system really pays off. Your note cards
give you a great tool for organizing your paper. Get out all of your
note cards, and then:
1.Group together all of the cards that share the same outline
topic number or letter (in the right-hand corner of each card).
2.Put those different groups in order, according to your
temporary outline.
3.Within each topic group, sort the cards further. Group the
cards that share the same “headline” (the two-word title in
the upper right corner).
4.Go through your miscellaneous and personal cards, the ones
you marked with an asterisk or your own symbol. Can you
fit any of them into your existing topic groups? If so, replace
the asterisk with the topic number or letter. If not, put the
card at the very back of your stack.Chapter 7 ■How to Write Terrific Papers 151