FAQ: What is PowerNotes and how do I use it?

What is PowerNotes?

PowerNotes This link opens in a new window is a productivity tool designed to make research more efficient and improve writing. The PowerNotes Chrome extension allows you to save, annotate, organize, and track any online source, including academic databases, and pdfs with a single click.

As you research, PowerNotes builds an outline in the background so that you can stay organized. Use the PowerNotes website to assess and reorganize your research with a simple drag-and-drop interface. Then transform your topical outline into a conceptual outline to get in the best position to start writing.

You have the option of sharing your research with peers, faculty, the writing center, or anyone you would like to solicit for feedback on your research. You can also add collaborators who can add to your research project if you would like to work on research together.

PowerNotes also automatically saves links to all your sources and citation information (in the citation format you choose) to ensure that you never lose a source and cite accurately.

You can access PowerNotes from the A - Z Database List.

First Time Users

There is a video and step-by-step instructions on how to get started with PowerNotes on this blog post, Start Researching with PowerNotes This link opens in a new window.

Help Using PowerNotes

Check out these helpful videos and more from the PowerNotes blog This link opens in a new window:

• Getting Started: Creating an account & installing the Extension This link opens in a new window
• PowerNotes Basics: An Overview of Tools & Features This link opens in a new window
• PowerNotes Research & Note-taking Tutorial This link opens in a new window

Click the purple question mark at the top of the PowerNotes tool to contact their Tech Support, get 24/7 help from Shapiro Library, or view the PowerNotes Guides (video tutorials) This link opens in a new window.

Further Help

For writing or citation assistance, please contact Academic Support.

Campus Students

To access Academic Support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu.

Online Students

To access help with citations and more, visit Academic Support through Brightspace:

• Academic Support Overview: Getting Help with your Schoolwork This link opens in a new window

Content authored by: GS