Techniques in Selecting and
Organizing Information
What’s I Need to Know?
For our maiden voyage in this subject, we will learn about the techniques
in selecting and organizing information. Selecting and organizing information
are essential skills that senior high school students like you must possess. You
have to learn how to gather information since your teachers in all subjects will
require you to research certain topics or generate ideas using different
materials. Hence, important points must not be left out when dealing with any
material at hand. There are techniques in selecting and organizing information
that includes brainstorming lists, graphic organizers, outlines, etc.
Learning Outcomes
After this module, you should be able to:
Apply the techniques in selecting and organizing information
What’s I Know?
Directions: Below are descriptions of the different techniques in organizing
information.
Identify which technique is being described in each item by writing “A” for
Brainstorming, “B’ for Outline, “C” for Venn Diagram, “D” for Concept Map, and
“E” for Bubble Organizer on your answer sheet.
1. ______________ is one way of generating ideas by listing of ideas spontaneously. It can be
done individually or as a group. Through this, you can come up with new ideas and solve
problems.
2. _______________ is another way of organizing information. It organizes materials
hierarchically and sequentially by classifying the main topics, subtopics, and supporting
details. Use “Roman Numerals” for the top-level, ‘capital letters’ in the alphabet for the
next level, ‘Arabic Numerals’ for the next level, and then ‘lowercase letters’ for the next
level. Each numeral or letter is followed by a period, and each item is capitalized.
3. ________________ is used when you compare and contrast things; it helps to visualize
similarities and differences.
4. To create a _____________, write your topic in the middle of the page, then jot down
different ideas, points, or facts that are related to or support your topic.
5. _______________ are particularly helpful for visual learners as they allow writers to map
out ideas spatially.
What’s New?
Activity 1:
Directions: Identify whether the images/samples below are techniques used in selecting
and organizing information. Write “Okay” if you consider the image/sample a technique in
selecting and organizing information and write “Nope” if not. Write your answer on another
sheet of paper.
_________ 1.
___________ 2.
Graduation
Celebration
Diploma
Gifts
Gathering
Visitors
Achievement
__________ 3.
What is It?
There is a need to select and organize information as these are essential skills that
senior high school students like you must possess. You’ve got to learn how to gather
information since your teachers in all subjects will require you to research certain topics
or generate ideas using different materials. Important points must not be left out when
dealing with any material at hand; there are techniques in selecting and organizing
information. These include using a brainstorming list, graphic organizers, and outlines,
etc.
Brainstorming is one way of generating ideas by listing of ideas spontaneously. It
can be done individually or as a group. Through brainstorming, you can develop new ideas
and solve problems; think of it as a free association. Listing is a brainstorming technique.
It means writing down anything that comes to your mind about the topic.
Graphic Organizers such as concept maps and mind maps are important and
effective ways for organizing content and ideas. Since the graphic organizer is a visual
display, it demonstrates relationships between facts, concepts, or ideas. It guides your
thinking as you fill in a visual map or diagram. There are four basic graphic organizers: an
outline, Venn diagram, hierarchical topical organizer, and bubble organizer. A Venn
diagram is used when you compare and contrast things; it helps to visualize similarities
and differences. Connected organizational charts and bubble graphs are particularly
helpful for visual learners as they allow writers to map out ideas spatially. To create a
concept map, write your topic in the middle of the page, then jot down different ideas,
points, or facts related to or support your topic.
An Outline is another way of organizing information. It organizes materials
hierarchically and sequentially by classifying the main topics, subtopics, and supporting
details. Use “Roman Numerals” for the top-level, ‘capital letters’ in the alphabet for the
next level, ‘Arabic Numerals’ for the next level, and then ‘lowercase letters’ for the next
level.
Each numeral or letter is followed by a period, and each item is capitalized.
There are two general types of outlines-the sentence outline and the topic outline.
The sentence outline is done by using sentences, while the topic outline uses words or
phrases.
What’s More?
Selecting and organizing information is a vital skill in senior high school since you
will encounter subjects that will demand you to collect and organize information
efficiently. Hence, learning the techniques to employ is a must.
As discussed earlier, these are some of the techniques you can use when selecting and
organizing information:
1. Brainstorming 2. Graphic Organizers 3. Venn Diagram
4. Concept Map 5. Bubble Graphs 6. Outlines
Activity 2: Identification
Directions: Below are situations about the different techniques in organizing
information.
Identify which technique is being described in each item by
writing “A” for Brainstorming, “B’ for Outline, “C” for Venn
Diagram, “D” for Concept Map, and “E” for Bubble Organizer on
another sheet of paper.
1. Teacher Joy asks you to generate ideas by giving a list of ideas
about the given topic.
2. You are tasked to compare the similarities and differences
between public and private schools.
3. Your adviser is told to prepare a message to be delivered during
the program at an English Camp. As a brilliant speaker, you
arrange your ideas based on the topic, subtopics, and supporting
details.
4. In this graphic organizer, you place the topic in the middle of the
page, then jot down different ideas and sub-ideas.
5. This way of organizing information uses Roman Numerals for the main
topic.
What I Can Do?
Activity 3- Sorting and Classifying
Directions: Read the situations below. Identify which technique in selecting
and organizing information is being described. Place your answer
on another sheet of paper
You and your family are going out on a Brainstorm
picnic for your summer break.
Unfortunately, you were tasked by your mom Outline
to prepare the things you will need for your
summer getaway. In jotting down the things, Venn Diagram
you need, which technique is the most
appropriate? Bubble Graph
Concept Map
[Link]
We all get frustrated Wisdom
whenever we misplace our
belongings and looking for them is a time and
energy-consuming effort that could have been
avoided simply by being more organized. What
happens if they are not personal belongings, what if
Congratulations for accomplishing Module 1. I expect that
you learned a lot from the discussion and activities. You’re
almost done. Like what I said, YOU CAN DO IT! Good job!
Assessment
Directions: Read each question carefully. Choose the letter of the best
answer. Place your answer on another sheet of paper.
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE about brainstorming?
a. Brainstorming creates new ideas, solves problems, motivates and develops
teams
b. It is a formal way of generating topics to write about.
c. It is a kind of restricted association.
d. Brainstorming can be done at the end of the writing process.
2. Which of the following graphic organizers is applicable when you
compare two elements?
a. hierarchical topical organizer
b. Venn diagram
c. bubble organizer
d. mind map
3. To create a concept map, where do you begin and then jot down
different ideas, points, or facts related to or support your topic?
a. middle of the page
b. upper right-hand corner
c. upper left-hand corner
d. bottom of the page
4. Which of the following is NOT what the graphic organizers
demonstrate between or among facts, concepts, or ideas?
a. connection
b. relationships
c. association
d. conflict
5. Graphic organizers actively engage a wide variety of learners by
integrating text and visual imagery. Which of the following is NOT a
benefit to students?
a. Making it easy for students to classify ideas and communicate
b. Guiding students in demonstrating their thinking process
c. Helping students increase reading comprehension and writing composition
ability
d. Encouraging students to organize essential concepts and idea
Answer Key
References:
Filomena T. Dayagbil, Ed.D., Ethel L. Abao, Ed.D. and Remedios C. Bacus, Ed.D. Critical
Reading and writing for Senior High School. Lorimar Publishing Inc., Quezon City, Philippines,
2016, 9-15.
For further reading, please follow these links: “What does a good outline look like?” Library
and Learning Services. RASMUSSEN College, accessed June 20, 2020,
[Link] “Quick Outline Review” Glendale College
English Lab/Reading Department Pages. accessed June 10, 2020,
[Link] “Types of Graphic Organizers” Westford
Public Schools. accessed May 1, 2020, [Link]
q=graphic+organizer&sxsrf
