Tools in Selecting and Organizing Information
Thesis Statement: In selecting and organizing ideas, brainstorming, using graphic
organizers, and outlining are three common tools in generating concepts prior to writing
and after reading a certain passage.
I. Brainstorming is a tool used in generating creative and rich and considered as
one of the methods utilized in selecting and organizing information.
A. It can be done efficiently with the use of an idea list.
B. It can also be done effectively by making an idea map.
II. Graphic organizers are visual representations of concepts that helps in arranging
information into organizational patterns.
A. Venn Diagram is a graphic organizer using intersections and circles to
compare and contrast two or more concepts.
B. Network Tree, also known as tree diagram, is a graphic organizer using
bubbles and lines to arrange ideas in a hierarchical manner displaying
higher- or lower-order components.
1. A Tree Chart classifies information into sections that branch off of one
another, which perceptibly portrays an actual tree.
2. An Organizational Chart is a type of a network tree, commonly used for
internal company purposes and deals more regarding hierarchy.
C. A Spider Map illustrates the characteristics and purposes of a central notion
or subject via branching specifics that foster critical thinking and the
resolution of complex issues.
D. A Problem-Solution Map shows a logical examination of how one can
proceed from the provided data to the problem's solution.
E. A Timeline refers to the alignment of time, also known as a chronological
statement, and is used to describe a series of events or actions that took
place at a specific period.
F. A Plot Diagram is a line graph illustrating the story's action, starting on the
left with the story's beginning and moving toward the right to the story's
conclusion in mapping and analyzing major parts of the plot.
G. The Series of Events Chain is a graphic organizer making use of rectangular
boxes or any shape accompanied by arrows showing the logical process of
how events unfold in a passage.
H. A Fishbone Map, or the Ishikawa Diagram, refers to the cause and effect of
a complex phenomenon, showing the specifics of each cause, as well as
elements that contribute to a certain event or issue.
I. A Cycle is a graphic organizer which explains how a series of events interact
to repeatedly produce a set of results.
J. A Persuasion Map is used to lay forth the justifications and supporting data
for a position.
III. An outline is a basic organization of the ideas supporting the topic of a work,
including both major and minor ideas.
C. Outlining has two common types.
1. A topic outline is the most widely employed type of outlining that uses
words or phrases during the drafting process.
2. A sentence outline is the type of outlining full sentences are utilized and
where is typically employed when a study concentrates on intricate
details.
A. Outlining has two common types of formats.
1. The format called "Alphanumeric Outline" is the type of arrangement
where the most general ideas go down to the most specific and comes
from the following symbols, respectively: capitalized roman numerals,
capitalized letters, Arabic numerals, lowercase letters, and lowercase
roman numerals.
2. Decimal outline, as a format, uses decimal notation in demonstrating the
relationship and flow of the ideas.
B. Outlining contains several guidelines that serve as prerequisites to doing a
proper outline.
1. Outlines should contain proper arrangement where subpoints should
always go under the main points that they belong to.
2. Single subpoints are not allowed in an outline.
3. Parallel construction of ideas should be observed in outlining.
4. Maintain consistency in the type of outlining that is being used.
5. Proper symbols should be applied.
6. Use proper capitalization where every point and subpoint should have
their initial word in capital letters, and only those terms that naturally
require capitalization.
7. Equally, indent headings with the same rank.
