Gathering and organizing material

4. Note Taking

Throughout the process of gathering information it is important to take notes and take them in a way that is going to help you later on in your presentation. Some people take notes on separate pieces of paper for each entry, others prefer to make lists using their word processor. Whatever your method is, remember to take notes in the same format, so that you can compare them later. Make sure direct quotations are just that and you can always name the source. Your notes will help you write the outline of your speech, which we will discuss in the next unit.