LibGuides: Catherine McAuley College: Defining

Resources to help in the "defining" step

KWHL Chart Use this chart for defining the Know, What to know, Learned and How can you learn more
KWL Chart Select a topic you want to research. In the first column, write what you already know about the topic. In the second column, write what you want to know about the topic. After you have completed your research, write what you learned in the third column.
Graffiti Planner During the Graffiti strategy, students brainstorm ideas and record them on large sheets of chart paper. This is a creative way to collect thoughts from all or most of the students in the classroom.
Topic Triangle Use the topic triangle to narrow a broad research topic by adding keywords in order to concentrate on a specific research area.
Topic Triangle Advanced Your goal in a research project is to become an expert in a particular topic. If your topic is too broad, finding and interpreting information about the topic like preparing to write an entire book! Choosing a narrower topic limits your provides a clear focus for your process. If you know a little about the specific topic, try generating research questions.
Question Generators What are four great questions that could show how much we understand about this topic?
TAP Chart 3 lines: Define the topic, who is the audience and what is the purpose?
Think Ink Pair Share Activity During this activity, students will have individual time to think about a question related to the topic of study. Students should then “ink” their thoughts by writing them down. They will select one major idea to share with the entire class.

Understanding what I need to do!

Define your topic! What do I need to do? Write out what you need to do in a short simple sentence. What are the keywords of the task?
Keywords: These will help you understand what is required of you and help you with the next step of locating.
Do I know exactly what I need to do for this project? How long have I got to complete it? How much class time? How much time at home? What exactly is the format - essay, poster, powerpoint etc?
Brainstorm: What do you already know about the topic? Make a mind map.
Make a list of questions: I still need to finD out: Why, How, When, Who, Where, How, What
Make up a plan of attack - the stages I need to do to complete this project. (don't leave it till the night before)

Keywords! What are they?

A Keyword is a word that represents the main idea or feature of your topic question. There may be up to 5 keywords in your topic which you should highlight and then develop a list of similar words (synonyms) for each keyword.

Keywords are connected with synonyms. A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word. For example "College" and "school". You should create synonym lists for each keyword.

Keywords and synonyms are essential when searching for information.

Example:

"The driving age should be raised to 21 years of age" The words in yellow become your key words

Synonyms: Driving age = licence, driver's licence, car licence

Raised = elevated, extended, heightened, higher

21 years = adult

To select keywords to use for your research, start by writing out the question. Highlight the important words and then think of similar words or synonyms (these other words will help with searching the net and databases)

Example:

"The driving age should be raised to 21 years of age" The words in yellow become your key words

Synonyms: Driving age = licence, driver's licence, car licence

Raised = elevated, extended, heightened, higher

21 years = adult