How to Read, Take Notes On and Understand Journal Articles | Essay Tips, by Tom Nicholas on YouTube. 5 min 33 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 33 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Read the abstract, introduction and conclusion first. These tell you the main argument and findings before you commit to the whole paper.
Skim the section headings and the first sentence of each paragraph. Build a map of how the article is structured.
Write a one or two sentence summary of the author's central claim in your own words. Keep it at the top of your notes.
Read the full text closely, highlighting only key claims, evidence and definitions. Do not highlight whole paragraphs.
Tag each highlight by theme, such as method, argument or counterargument. This makes notes easy to sort later.
Note any quotations you might use, with the page number, so you can cite them correctly.
Add the article to your reference manager and save the full citation there. Mendeley is the program shown in the video.
Write a short note on how the article relates to your essay question. Say whether it supports, challenges or complicates your argument.
Tips and common mistakes
Do not read every word on the first pass. Skim for structure, then read closely only where it matters.
Keep notes short and in your own words so you can use them without copying.
Record page numbers as you go. Going back to find a quote later wastes time.
Use one tagging system across all your reading so themes line up when you write.
Questions
Do I need to read the whole article?
Not always. For a quick overview, the abstract, introduction and conclusion often give you enough. Read the full text when the paper is central to your argument.
What should I write in my notes?
The main claim, the key evidence, any useful quotes with page numbers, and a line on how it fits your essay. Keep each point short.
Why use a reference manager?
It stores the full citation and your notes in one place, so you can drop references into your essay without retyping them.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
