Study guide: Research Notes and a Short Presentation
Apply sort a note by report role, record a source locator, choose a visual aid, answer a clarifying question using supplied texts and original responses.
Ideas to explain in your own words
- Research notes should be grouped by what they contribute. Materials name inputs, procedure records actions, observations state what was seen and new questions identify unknowns.
- A useful source note records identifying details and a location. A title plus page number can locate a supplied print source; a favorite color cannot.
- Presentation aids should make a specific point easier to understand. A parts diagram, process list and results table serve different jobs; some short definitions need no extra visual.
- A listener may need clarification about materials, a step, a result or an uncertainty. A useful reply addresses that exact question using the notes.
Useful vocabulary
- Sort a note by report role
- Research notes should be grouped by what they contribute. Materials name inputs, procedure records actions, observations state what was seen and new questions identify unknowns.
- Record a source locator
- A useful source note records identifying details and a location. A title plus page number can locate a supplied print source; a favorite color cannot.
- Choose a visual aid
- Presentation aids should make a specific point easier to understand. A parts diagram, process list and results table serve different jobs; some short definitions need no extra visual.
- Answer a clarifying question
- A listener may need clarification about materials, a step, a result or an uncertainty. A useful reply addresses that exact question using the notes.
Watch your reasoning
- An untested question is not a result.
- A locator is not a claim that the source is reliable.
- A picture should not add an unsupported result.
- A confident guess does not fill a missing observation.
A worked review example
Note: two books and paper. Locator: Paper Bridges, p. 2. Need: show model parts. Listener: What did you use? Sort a note by report role: The relevant input states: Note: two books and paper. This fits materials. Research notes should be grouped by what they contribute. Materials name inputs, procedure records actions, observations state what was seen and new questions identify unknowns. An untested question is not a result. Record a source locator: The exact title and page 2 are the supplied source locator; the other notes cannot identify this passage. Choose a visual aid: The relevant input states: Need: show model parts. This fits labeled diagram. Presentation aids should make a specific point easier to understand. A parts diagram, process list and results table serve different jobs; some short definitions need no extra visual. A picture should not add an unsupported result. Answer a clarifying question: The relevant input states: Listener: What did you use?. This fits name the materials. A listener may need clarification about materials, a step, a result or an uncertainty. A useful reply addresses that exact question using the notes. A confident guess does not fill a missing observation.
Make a practice plan
- Practice sort a note by report role: Identify the note’s content before placing it under a heading. Keep results separate from steps and questions.
- Practice record a source locator: Write the source title exactly as supplied and include its page or section. Retain that locator beside the note.
- Practice choose a visual aid: Match the aid to what listeners need to see. Give it readable labels rather than merely decorating the page.
- Practice answer a clarifying question: Identify what the question asks and respond only with the corresponding supplied information. Admit when the record does not answer it.
- Try the new review before opening its answer. Return to the related lesson if you want more help.