Writing Book 5 · Lesson 36

Notes from two sources

Notes from two texts are merged by idea, and where they disagree is marked.

What it is

When two texts cover one topic, notes kept separately leave you with two lists and no argument. Organize by IDEA instead: one outline, with each source's contribution sitting under the idea it supports, tagged so you can still say who said what.

Watch it built

1
Two separate sets of notes on the same topic.
Text 1: deserts are dry · Text 2: deserts are cold at night
2
Find the idea that covers both.
I. Deserts are places of extremes
3
Put each under it, tagged with its source.
  A. Extremely dry (T1)   A. Freezing at night (T2)
Remember
One outline, organized by idea. Tag every line with its source.
Ask yourself: “Where do my two sources not agree?”

Remember

Two sources, one set of notes.

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