UNIT 2

Techniques in Selecting and Organizing Information

Writing an essay is one of the requirements of academic studies. During the prewriting stage, we often find ourselves with a lot of
information related to the essay topic from different sources. Therefore, we need to use some techniques in selecting and organizing
such information.

Objectives
 Differentiate between techniques in selecting and organizing information.
 Create your own brainstorming list.
 Differentiate between graphic organizers used for selecting and organizing information.
 Distinguish a topic outline and a sentence outline.
 Write a suitable outline for a specific topic.

I. Organizing Information through a Brainstorming List

• Brainstorming helps you generate topics and narrow them down to one. It improves your creative thinking skills and deepens your
understanding of a possible topic. On a brainstorming list, simply write down all the words or ideas that come to your mind about a
topic. With this list, you can generate ideas quickly and recall information about a topic.

• Below are the steps on how to organize information through a brainstorming list.

1. Think of a general topic.

2. Brainstorm ideas based on the topic and make a list.
3. Take a look at the list and see which ideas are related. Use lines, arrows, asterisks, or whatever works for you to illustrate those
connections.

Sample Brainstorming Lists

Possible topic: Social media
comments online * network
posts shared connections
news items curating
pro and anti * humblebrag *
power of social media * narcissism*
tool for information and
misinformation *

Possible topic 2: Cyber-bullying

foul language violence
name calling * shaming *
censorship * power *
opinions depression
arguments ego and insecurity *
threats

4. Cross out topics that might not generate enough information for writing.

Possible topic 1: Social media

comments online* network
posts shared connections
news items curating
pro and anti * humblebrag *
power of social media * narcissism*
tool for information
and misinformation *

Possible topic 2: Cyber-bullying

foul language violence
name calling * shaming *
censorship* power*
opinions depression
arguments ego and insecurity*
threats

5. Choose two from the remaining topics in your list and free write about each chosen topic for five minutes. Freewriting means using
a topic as a triggering subject and writing whatever comes to mind, whether you associate it with the topic or not.

• You can also make a brainstorming list based on a thesis statement, the main idea, argument, or purpose of the writing. List any
word, phrase, or statement that you can think of that is related to the topic. Do not restrict yourself to the sequence of ideas.

Sample Brainstorming Lists Topic: Should parents choose the course or career for their children, or should their children make the
choice themselves?

Thesis statement: Children and not their parents should choose their course or career.
 They know themselves best.
 They know their strengths and weaknesses.
 They will be more willing to learn if they are doing what they want to do.
 They are more likely to succeed if they pursue their dream.
 They will look forward to their daily classes or work.
 Gain more confidence
 Personal happiness

Topic: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great
work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs Thesis statement: Love whatever you choose to do.
 Know your strengths and weaknesses.
 Pursue a dream.
 Do what you are good at.
 Choose a job where you can use your skills.
 Give your best shot.
 Respect your work.
 Practice, practice, practice.
 Always find new ways of loving your work.
 Love your work even if it is not your first choice. These related ideas generated through brainstorming can serve as guide for
your writing.
II. Organizing Information through Graphic Organizers

• Graphic organizers are a way to organize information in a visual manner to see how ideas relate to one another.

• The following are the different kinds of graphic organizers: Mind map – This is used to represent knowledge of a concept or idea. It
is useful in brainstorming and exploring topics or ideas. To create it, begin with an image or a word that represents the central idea.
Then add branches of major ideas related to the central idea. You can further expand those ideas by adding more branches.
Different looks
Body paint
All black with mask
Costume

Jazz Spy Movie

Pop Alice in
Hip-hop Wonderland
Music Ideas for
Dance Theme
Genre Presentation

Teacher dancing Gimmick

Backlight
Example
Confetti
The example shows a mind map that brings together major ideas and sub-ideas associated with the central idea “Ideas for a Dance
Presentation.”

2. Venn diagram – This is used to show the similarities and differences between two or more people, objects, or ideas. It uses
overlapping circles to represent different objects or ideas that share similar characteristics in some way. The intersection or the
area where the circles overlap shows the characteristic that is common between or among the objects or ideas.

Example:
Magda
royal blood
values material wealth

very intelligent
adventurous
has magic
cocky
Jon good heart
quiet and meek Alana
likes simple life physically strong
ambitious

The example illustrates the traits of three story characters named Magda, Jon, and Alana. The overlapping circles show the features
that two or more characters share, with “good heart” describing all of them.

3. Flow chart – This is used to show the different steps in a process. It contains information on stages of a process in order that
must be completed.

Example:

Launch Input your name Accomplish the

application and section blank fields
Save under file
Close application
name "Test"

The flow chart shows the steps on how to use a software application. The first box on top illustrates the first step of the process, while
the last box signals its completion. The steps in between should be followed in sequential order based on the direction of the arrows to
accomplish the task successfully.

4. Hierarchical topical organizer – This shows the order of ideas and their place in the hierarchy.

Example:
Through paid apps

Binge waching

Through DVDs
Ways of watching
a TV series

Regular TV
Episodic
programming
Webisodes

The topics in the organizer above are arranged in a hierarchical manner. The organizer shows how the main idea “Ways of watching a
TV series” (the first level) leads to its supporting ideas (the second level) and more specific ideas (third level).

• Below are steps in organizing information by using any graphic organizer.

1. Think of a general topic for writing.
2. Brainstorm ideas based on the topic and write them down.
3. Select a graphic organizer to arrange your ideas.

III. Writing a Topic Outline

• A topic outline is a list of ideas arranged in a specific order, and it shows how information is presented in writing. It is a list of the
main points and supporting ideas that the writer intends to discuss in writing. It uses key words or key phrases instead of complete
sentences.
• A topic outline is divided into two levels: the headings, the subheadings, and the Sub-subheadings. The headings represent the main
ideas, and they are indicated by Roman numerals. The subheadings represent the supporting ideas; they are indicated by capital letters
and indented. Sub-subheadings are the specific details or concrete examples of the supporting ideas. However, they are only given
when necessary. They are marked by Arabic numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3…) and indented.

• Below is an example of a topic outline.

Topic: Filipino Hospitality

Thesis statement: Filipino hospitality is a distinct and positive Filipino trait.
Writer’s specific purpose: To inform readers about Filipino hospitality and enumerate ways on how Filipinos show their hospitality.

I. Definition of Filipino hospitality

A. The beginning of Filipino hospitality
B. From whom Filipinos learned hospitality
II. Filipino practices that show hospitality
A. How Filipinos accept guests at home
B. How Filipinos accept foreigners
III. Positive implications of Filipino hospitality on our society
A. On our culture
B. On our economy

The example shows how the writer aims to discuss Filipino hospitality as a distinct positive trait of Filipinos.

• Below are the steps in writing a topic outline.

1. Identify your topic, thesis statement, and purpose for writing. Your thesis statement is the central idea of your writing, and your
purpose for writing will help you come up with the main points and supporting ideas in your writing.
2. Figure out the main points. Doing so will help you come up with the structure of your writing.
3. Arrange the main points in a logical order. You can arrange them from the least important to the most important.
4. Identify and write down the supporting ideas for each main point.
5. Evaluate your outline. Ask yourself, have you included everything important? Is there anything else that should be added or
excluded?

IV. Writing a Sentence Outline

• A sentence outline has the same use as the topic outline. However, it is quite more specific because it already states the main idea
and the supporting ideas in full sentences.
• Below is an example of a sentence outline.
Topic: Filipino Hospitality
Thesis statement: Filipino hospitality is a distinct and positive Filipino trait.

Writer’s specific purpose: To inform readers about Filipino hospitality and enumerate ways on how Filipinos show their hospitality.

I. Filipino hospitality is the very warm and welcoming treatment of visitors, particularly foreigners.
A. Prior to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, the natives already exhibited hospitality when they welcomed the
Malays to the country.
B. Being warm and welcoming to visitors might have been cultivated by the fact that different nationalities visited and even
occupied the country, such as the Chinese, Indonesian, Spanish, Japanese, and the Americans.
II. Filipinos show hospitality in several ways.
A. Filipinos accept guests at home as if they were part of their own family, serving them food and making them feel at home.
B. Filipinos show hospitality to foreigners by extending their assistance when needed and even welcoming them to their own
homes.
III. Filipino hospitality is a positive trait, and the implications to our society in general are regarded as positive.
A. Being hospitable shows that the Philippines is a peace-loving nation.
B. Being hospitable encourages foreigners to visit and invest in our country.

In the example above, the main points and the supporting ideas are stated in full sentences.

• Below are the steps in writing a sentence outline.

1. Write your thesis statement. It should be a complete, declarative sentence.

2. Create a list of main points to support the thesis. State them in complete sentences.
3. Write a list of supporting ideas for each main point. State them in complete sentences.