Techniques for Subject Exploration By Jean Browning 02052015

Techniques for Subject Exploration By: Jean Browning 02/05/2015 Edu-225 Professor: David Larson

Gather and Organize Information Gather information • Read textbooks, articles, newspapers, encyclopedias, and academic Journals • Listen to pod casts, radio, and audio books • Watch documentaries, news, and video clips Organize information • Ask the 5 ‘W’s’ questions [who, what, when, where, and why] • • Listing Clustering Outlining Documenting resources

Modes of Gathering information Electronic Material * Computer/laptop * IPod * Phone * Tablets Physical Material * Library * Textbooks * Magazines * Newspapers * Journals

What are the ‘ 5 W’s’? • Who is involved? • What is it about? • When did it take place? • Where did it happen? • Why did this happen?

Listing Create a list of ideas/questions about a subject your wish to explore. “Listing ideas—a technique sometimes known as brainstorming—is a good way to figure out what you know and what questions you have. ” (Hacker, 2009, Pg. 13)

Clustering Use a cluster diagram to organize the topic and illustrate how each subtopic relates to one another. You can also utilize cluster diagrams and fill in the ‘ 5 w’s’ questions. This technique allows you to have more control over the organization of ideas.

Outlining 1. Who can use an outline? a) Students b) Teacher 2. What is an outline? a) Organization tool b) A format listing main topics & subtopics 3. When can we use an outline? a) While taking notes b) When creating stories, essay, and reports 4. Where can we create an outline? a) Handwritten in a notebook b) Word processing application software 5. Why should we create outlines? a) To organize thoughts b) Connect and visualize main ideas

Documenting Resources Use citation whenever you decide to paraphrase or quote a resource. This gives credit to the authors of subjects you are learning about, and you avoid plagiarism. Format references for the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Modern Language Association (MLA) please reference to Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) https: //owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/resource/664/01/

References Hacker, Diana. (2009). Rules for writers. Sixth edition. Bedford/St. Martin’s. Page 13. The Purdue OWL. Purdue U Writing Lab, 2010. Web. Date of access February 7, 2015. https: //owl. english. purdue. edu/owl/resource/664/01/