Quote or paraphrase the information from the book or article you want to include in your essay later on one side of a 3 x 5 index card. For example, your index card might look like this: "Fifteen percent of students reported no learning style preference."
Place an open parenthesis after your paraphrase or quote, and write the author's last name followed by the number of the page where the paraphrase or quote is found. Close the citation with a closing parenthesis. Example: (Brown 4)
On the other side of the card, note the type of document from which you took the information you quoted or paraphrased to help you find the source again later. Possible sources include books, journals, newspaper or magazine articles, interviews, electronic sources such as the Internet or visual media such as documentaries or films. Write the type of document and its title. Example: Website: Studies on Learning Styles in Students.
Organize your cards in the order you want to use them in your essay. Consider numbering them in the order you want to use them, if you know already. Alternatively, you can write down the main point that this reference will support. So if your essay researches the best teaching practices, write "learning styles" on the front or back of the card.
Wrap a rubber band around your cards, or punch holes in the corners and loop a string through them, so that you do not lose them.