Thinking Tool

The Thinking Tool provides a template for focusing a research assignment through the brainstorming of ideas, keywords, and other terminology related to a topic. The objective is to generate searchable keywords that may be used to gather resources.

Information you enter below will automatically save in your web browser. You can also save a PDF version to your computer or device.

Step 1

What is your assignment?

How long is your paper? How many sources do you need? What kind?

Step 2

What do you want to write about?

This doesn't have to be your final choice of topic. It's a place to start.

Step 3

Build a Concept Cloud

Enter things related to your main idea. Anything and everything! (Use Wikipedia for help)

Your Main Idea

Synonyms & Related Concepts

List words similar to those in your main idea. Think of words that experts tend to use or about topics related in any way to your idea.

Add

People

List the people who are involved. Think about the kinds of people or larger groups/organizations.

Add

Places

List words or phrases descriptive of places significant to your topic.

Add

Dates

List words or phrases for dates, times, or periods related to your topic.

Add

What comes to mind?

List words or phrases that don't easily fit the categories above

Add

Step 4

Narrow Your Search Terms

Choose 2 to 4 keywords from the Concept Cloud in Step 3 to start the search process.

To add a search term, click on it in one of the above lists. To remove a search term, click on the X next to it once it has been added.

Remember: When searching, add and subtract keywords then note how your results differ. You may even find that you need to start over with a new main idea.

Step 5

Try Your Terms in Virgo

Now that you have narrowed your search terms, try them out in Virgo, the Library's catalog search.

Go to Virgo
Name:
Course:

Thinking Tool: Choosing a Topic and Search Terms

1

What is your assignment?

How long is your paper? How many sources do you need? What kind?

2

What do you want to write about?

This doesn't have to be your final choice of topic. It's a place to start.

3

Concept Cloud

Write down anything related to your main idea. Anything! Everything! (Use Wikipedia for help here).

Synonyms? Words experts use? Related concepts?

People? Kinds of people? Organizations?

Your Main Idea

Places?

Dates?

What comes to mind? Anything that doesn't easily fit the categories above?

 

4

Your Search Terms

2-4 keywords from Box 3. Remember: Add or subtract keywords to get different results. Pick different ones! Start with a new main idea!