Some Notes on Note Cards

Sample Note Cards

Note cards should not include your entire speech. Rather, they are simply serving as reminders of what you are going to talk about. For example, instead of writing an entire body paragraph on a note card, just write one or two key sentences (citations included) that will help you to remember your research and main point.

Basic Sample:

Topic: Lyme disease

I. Intro.

II. Body

A. What is it? (Author Name & Page Number)

B. Where do you find it? (Website Name)

C. How do you prevent it? (Article Title & Page Number)

III. Conclusion

More Detailed Example (One Card per "Paragraph"—Introduction, Supporting Evidence 1, Supporting Evidence 2, Supporting Evidence 3, and Conclusion)

Topic: Don’t drink and drive

Card #1: Introduction

A. Describe an horrific car crash

B. You or me—it could happen

C. Introduce thesis statement: “People should not drink and drive.”

Card #2: Supporting Argument 1

A. One problem with drunk driving is that it can potentially harm innocent bystanders.

B. According to ________, ________ accidents are caused by drunk driving.

C. __________ drunk driving accidents result in death (Website Name).

D. Show visual aid (picture of mangled car)

E. Personal story

Card #3: Supporting Argument 2

1. A second problem with drunk driving is that getting pulled over by an officer can cost you money and add points to your license.
2. Receiving a DUI costs $_________ and can = ________ time in prison (Website Name).
3. A recent study conducted by ____________ shows that about $_______ = fines for drunk driving.
4. According to an interview with ____________, you can get up to _______ points on your license from a DUI.

Card #4: Supporting Argument 3

1. Lastly, drunk driving is completely unfair to your friends and family in the car with you. Do you really want to put their lives at risk?
2. In 2009, _________% of people killed by drunk drivers were passengers in the car with the intoxicated driver (Author name & page number).
3. In an interview I had with ________, she revealed that her cousin died because the driver of the car she was in was intoxicated.
1. Explain how they were close friends and how the accident happened.

Card #5: Conclusion

1. In summary, I believe that people should not drive while intoxicated.
2. Summarize three points: injury/death to innocent people on the streets, money and points on your license, and injury/death to other people in the car.
3. Call to action—stricter rules.

Check this site out for some examples:

http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/theaudience/upload/NOTE-CARDS.pdf