Thinking Tool

The Thinking Tool helps you brainstorm keywords related to a topic so you can begin your research.

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

Your Main Idea

What comes to mind?

Enter any word related to your main idea. Anything and everything! If a word or phrase is connected to your main idea, type it in. Remember to add any synonyms or related concepts, people, places, dates. Anything else you can think of!. Don't make any judgements about which are useful yet. That's a later step. (Use Wikipedia for help finding more words and concepts)

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

Thinking Tool

The Thinking Tool helps you brainstorm keywords related to a topic so you can begin your research.

Thinking Tool: Choosing a Topic and Search Terms

1

What is your assignment?

2

What do you want to write about?

3

Concept Cloud

List words or phrases that are synonyms and related concepts, people, places, dates, or anything else you can think of.

4

Your Search Terms