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ENGL 110: Intro to Academic Writing (Renshaw)

Research Organization

Taking Notes on your Research

Once you start gathering articles and referencing encyclopedias, it can be hard to keep all the information you need to use organized and accessible to you. That's why it's important to take notes on what you read and any references that you found helpful. Research notes can be helpful for absorbing information, quick reference when you're in the process of writing, and keeping track of what you need to cite and where. Taking notes on your research might seem like a huge time drain, but it actually saves you time when you go to use that information later. Check out the resources below to find what method of note taking works for you!

Tools for Brainstorming

Good tools for Brainstorming

Here are some online tools or just regular techniques for getting your ideas out of your head and organized!

Made with Padlet

The Six Thinking Hats Approach

Six thinking hats

The six thinking hats model was developed by Edward de Bono. It helps you approach your ideas from six different perspectives, allowing you to reduce bias and test out your theories fully in your brainstorming. 

The six hats include: 

  • the factual hat (white hat) – at this stage, you are thinking about what you already know or need to find out;
  • the creative hat (green hat) – at this stage, you are thinking about alternatives, ideas, possibilities that can help you generate solutions to your challenge in focus
  • the optimist’s hat (yellow hat) – at this stage, you are thinking about the solutions or issues from the most positive perspective; try to identify benefits and value added;
  • the judge’s hat (black hat) – at this stage, you are exploring the risks and critically appraising any concerns you may have;
  • the hat for the heart (red hat) – at this stage, you consider the feelings you have about the solution or the challenge you’re trying to solve; think about fears and likes;
  • the conductor’s hat (blue hat) – at this stage, you’re controlling the decision-making process and you organise the entire process to make sure you followed the six thinking hats guidelines.

You can use this approach in your notes, in the organizer below, in Wakelet or Padlet, or just in your own head, but it's a great way to fully flesh out ideas.