Read closely. Write clearly.
Taking Down Words
Writing, editing, reading and public argument, taken one sentence at a time.
Why this site exists now
A useful subject guide, with its history stated plainly
TakingDownWords.com was an Indiana politics blog and later a reading blog. This is a new independent writing and reading reference.
Explore the subject
Five routes into the guide
5 sections · 25 focused answers
From the reference
Recently updated
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What Is a Primary Source Depends on Your Research Question
A primary source is the thing your research question is about. The same document can be primary for one question and secondary for another.
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How to Take Useful Research Notes for Evidence-Based Writing
How to take research notes that keep quotations, paraphrases, and your own ideas separate so every claim stays traceable to its source.
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How to Quote a Source Fairly in Nonfiction Writing
How to quote a source fairly by preserving context, accuracy, selection, and attribution so the quoted claim matches the original meaning.
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Research and Evidence Hub Prefer Primary Sources and Verification
The Research and Evidence hub routes you by task: prefer primary evidence, show verification steps, and separate source claims from writer conclusions.
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Reading Practice Hub for Critical Nonfiction Readers
The reading practice hub routes you to methods for critical analysis, retention, selection, and close attention without moralizing about speed or volume.
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How to Evaluate a Source With Authority Evidence Date and Purpose
Evaluate a source by testing its authority, evidence, date, purpose, and corroboration against the specific claim it must support.
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How to Fact-Check an Article with a Claim Inventory
How to fact-check an article by building a claim inventory and verifying each assertion against the strongest available primary evidence.
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How to Read More Critically by Tracking Claims and Evidence
How to read critically by tracking claims, evidence, assumptions, and omissions so you can see what a text actually requires you to accept.
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How to Remember What You Read with Retrieval and Notes
How to remember what you read using retrieval practice, structured notes, and purposeful review instead of passive re-reading.
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How to Choose What to Read Next with a Question Led Process
How to choose what to read next by building a question-led selection process that matches texts to the questions you actually want answered.