Reading and Writing Skills Unit 2:
Techniques in Selecting and Organizing
Information
Table of Contents
Objectives
2
Lesson 1: Organizing Information through a Brainstorming List
3
Warm-up!
3
Learn About It!
4
Check Your Understanding
7
Let’s Step Up!
8
Lesson 2: Organizing Information through Graphic Organizers
Warm-up!
9
9
Learn About It!
10
Check Your Understanding
14
Let’s Step Up!
14
Lesson 3: Writing a Topic Outline
15
Warm-up!
15
Learn About It!
16
Check Your Understanding
17
Let’s Step Up!
18
Lesson 4: Writing a Sentence Outline
19
Warm-up!
19
Learn About It!
20
Check Your Understanding
21
Let’s Step Up!
22
Performance Task
23
Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn?
25
Wrap Up
26
Bibliography
27
GRADE 11 | English
UNIT 2
Techniques in Selecting and Organizing
Information
Writing an essay is one of the requirements of academic
studies. During the prewriting stage, we often find
ourselves with much information from different sources.
How we select and organize such information is a crucial
decision that brings about the success or failure in the
writing process that we have to undertake. One way of
dealing with this is by systematizing our means of
selecting information. Therefore, we need to use some
techniques in selecting and organizing such information.
After all, doing so will help us see the bigger picture that
will help hold all our paragraphs together.
Objectives
In this unit, you should be able to:
● differentiate between techniques in selecting and organizing information;
● create your own brainstorming list;
● differentiate between graphic organizers used for selecting and organizing
information;
● distinguish a topic outline and a sentence outline; and
● write a suitable outline for a specific topic.
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Lesson 1: Organizing Information through a
Brainstorming List
Brainstorming is an informal way of generating topics to write
about, as well as formulating the points you can make about
your topic. It can be done at any point in a writing process.
The crucial point about brainstorming is that there should be
no pressure to be brilliant. You should open your mind to
whatever that pops into it.
This lesson will provide you with some strategies on how to smarten up your brainstorming
lists.
Warm-up!
Group Brainstorming (15 minutes)
TOPIC: How can we make our English class more
interesting?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Form groups of eight (8) students.
Each group shall receive a chart paper and a marker.
Select a leader and a secretary for each group.
For every time a member states his or her
suggestion, the secretary writes it down. Afterward, the team shall decide whether it is a
good or a bad idea. The secretary may circle the good ideas and cross out the bad ideas.
5. The leader shall narrow down the answers and share them with the class.
Guide Questions:
1. How did the process help you in generating ideas?
2. How did the process of elimination help you narrow down to the best answers?
3. What do you call the process that your group did?
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Learn About It!
Brainstorming ​helps you generate topics and narrow them down
to a few important ideas. It improves your creative thinking skills
and deepens your understanding of a possible topic. On a
brainstorming list​, simply write down all the words or ideas that
come to your mind about a topic. With this list, you can generate
ideas quickly and recall specific information about a topic.
Below are the steps on how to organize information through a
brainstorming list.
1. Think of a general topic.
2. Brainstorm ideas based on the topic and make a list.
3. Take a look at the list and see which ideas are related. Use
lines, arrows, asterisks, or whatever works for you to
illustrate those connections.
Possible Topic 1: Social Media
comments online *
posts shared
news items
pro and anti *
power of social media *
tool for information and misinformation *
network
connections
curating
humblebrag *
narcissism *
Possible Topic 2: Cyberbullying
foul language
name calling *
censorship *
opinions
arguments
threats
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violence
shaming *
power *
depression
ego and insecurity *
4
4. Cross out topics that might not generate or add enough information for writing.
Possible Topic 1: Social Media
comments online *
posts shared
news items
pro and anti *
power of social media *
tool for information and misinformation *
network
connections
curating
humblebrag *
narcissism *
Possible Topic 2: Cyberbullying
foul language
name calling *
censorship *
opinions
arguments
threats
violence
shaming *
power *
depression
ego and insecurity *
5. Choose two of the remaining topics in your list and freewrite about each chosen topic
for five minutes. Freewriting means using a topic as a triggering subject and writing
whatever comes to mind, whether you associate it with the topic or not.
You can also make a brainstorming list based on a ​thesis statement​, the main idea,
argument, or purpose of the writing. List any word, phrase, or statement that you can
think of that is related to the topic. Do not restrict yourself to the sequence of ideas.
Below are some samples of brainstorming lists.
Topic: ​Should parents choose the course or career for their children, or should their
children make the choice themselves?
Thesis Statement: ​Children, not their parents, should choose their course or career.
✓ They know themselves best.
✓ They know their strengths and weaknesses.
✓ They will be more willing to learn if they are doing what they want to do.
✓ They are more likely to succeed if they pursue their dream.
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✓ They will look forward to their daily classes or work.
✓ Gain more confidence
✓ Personal happiness
Topic: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly
satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is
to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs
Thesis statement: ​Love whatever job you choose to do.
✓ Know your strengths and weaknesses.
✓ Pursue a dream.
✓ Do what you are good at.
✓ Choose a job where you can use your skills.
✓ Give your best shot.
✓ Respect your work.
✓ Practice, practice, practice.
✓ Always find new ways of loving your work.
✓ Love your work even if it is not your first choice.
These related ideas generated through brainstorming can serve as guide for your
writing.
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Check Your Understanding
Brainstorm by filling in the chart below.
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Let’s Step Up!
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Lesson 2: Organizing Information through
Graphic Organizers
Nothing is more critical to successful learning than the use
of learning tools. Graphic organizers such as concept maps
and mind maps are important and effective pedagogical
tools for organizing content and ideas. They also aid in
facilitating one’s comprehension of newly acquired
information. Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences
posits that students are able to learn better when more
than one learning modality is employed in an instructional strategy.
This lesson will show us the most common graphic organizers that we may use during our
prewriting process.
Warm-up!
Think-Pair-Share
Think about the following questions. Then, discuss your
answers with a partner.
1. Have you ever done any other prewriting process before
apart from brainstorming?
2. Have you used a graphic organizer before? Was it easy?
3. How did it help you in writing your essay?
4. On the space below, write down three things that you
think must be considered in creating a graphic organizer.
a. _____________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________
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Learn About It!
Graphic organizers ​are a way to organize information visually to
see how ideas relate to one another.
The following are the different kinds of graphic organizers:
1. Mind map
A mind map is used to represent your knowledge of a
concept or idea. It is useful for brainstorming and exploring
topics or ideas. To create it, start with an image or a word
that represents the central idea. Add branches of major
ideas related to the central idea. You can further expand
those ideas by adding more branches.
The example shows a mind map that brings together significant ideas and sub-ideas
associated with the central idea “Ideas for a Dance Presentation.”
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2. Venn diagram
A Venn diagram is used to show the similarities and differences between two or more
people, objects, or ideas. It uses overlapping circles to represent different objects or
ideas that share similar traits in some way. The intersection or the area where the
circles overlap shows the trait that is common between or among the objects or ideas.
The example illustrates the traits of three characters named Magda, Jon, and Alana. The
overlapping circles show the features that two or more characters share, with “good
heart” describing all of them.
3. Flowchart
A flowchart is used to show the different steps in a process. It contains information on
the stages of a process in the order that it must be completed.
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The flow chart shows the steps on how to use a software application. The first box at
the top illustrates the first step of the process, while the last box signals its completion.
The steps in between should be followed in sequential order based on the direction of
the arrows to accomplish the task successfully.
4. Hierarchical topical organizer
A hierarchical topical organizer shows the order of ideas and their place in a hierarchy.
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The topics in the given organizer are arranged in a hierarchical manner. The organizer
shows how the main idea, “Ways of watching a TV series” in the first level leads to its
supporting ideas in the second level and more specific ideas in the third level.
Below are the steps in organizing information by using any graphic organizer.
1. Think of a general topic for writing.
2. Brainstorm ideas based on the topic and write them down.
3. Select a graphic organizer to arrange your ideas.
Benefits of Using Graphic Organizers
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Helping students structure a writing project
Encouraging students to make decisions
Making it easy for students to classify ideas and communicate
Allowing students to examine the relationship between concepts
Guiding students in demonstrating their thinking process
Helping students improve reading comprehension
Making it easy to brainstorm
Encouraging students to organize essential concepts and ideas
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Check Your Understanding
Identify which graphic organizer would be most appropriate in presenting the topics
below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Comparison between heroes
Enrollment process
Taxonomy of animals
Ideas for an upcoming halloween party
President Rodrigo Duterte and President Donald Trump
Let’s Step Up!
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Lesson 3: Writing a Topic Outline
Another way of organizing information is through an outline.
An outline organizes materials sequentially, which allows you
to group materials by similar concepts or content and put
them into logical order. The arrangement follows a consistent
principle.
Warm-up!
Think-Pair-Share
Think about the following questions. Then, discuss your answers with a partner.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Have you ever done any other prewriting process before apart from brainstorming?
Have you written an outline before? Was it easy?
How did it help you in writing your essay?
On the space below, write down five things that you think must be considered in
creating an outline.
a. _____________________________________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________________________________
d. _____________________________________________________________________________
e. _____________________________________________________________________________
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Learn About It!
A ​topic outline ​is a list of ideas arranged in a specific order, and
it shows how information is presented in writing. It is a list of the
main points and supporting ideas that the writer intends to
discuss in writing. It uses keywords or key phrases instead of
complete sentences.
A topic outline is divided into two levels: the ​headings and
subheadings​. The headings represent the main ideas and
indicated by Roman numerals. The subheadings represent
supporting ideas; they are indicated by capital letters and
indented.
the
are
the
are
Sub-subheadings are the specific details or concrete examples of the supporting ideas.
However, these are optional and only given when necessary. They are marked by Arabic
numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3 . . .) and are indented.
Below is an example of a topic outline.
Topic: F
​ ilipino Hospitality
Thesis statement: ​Filipino hospitality is a distinct and positive Filipino trait.
Writer’s specific purpose: ​To inform readers about Filipino hospitality and to enumerate
the ways on how Filipinos show their hospitality
I.
II.
III.
Definition of Filipino hospitality
A. The beginning of Filipino hospitality
B. How Filipinos learned hospitality
Filipino practices that show hospitality
A. How Filipinos accept guests at home
B. How Filipinos accept foreigners
Positive implications of Filipino hospitality on our society
A. On our culture
B. On our economy
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The example shows how the writer aims to discuss Filipino hospitality as a distinct positive
trait of Filipinos.
Steps in Writing a Topic Outline
1. Identify your topic, thesis statement, and purpose for writing. Your thesis statement is
the central idea of your writing, and your purpose for writing will help you come up with
the main points and supporting ideas in your writing.
2. Figure out the main points. Doing so will help you come up with the structure of your
writing.
3. Arrange the main points in a logical order. You can arrange them from the least
important to the most important.
4. Identify and write down the supporting ideas for each main point.
5. Evaluate your outline. Ask yourself, have you included everything important? Is there
anything else that should be added or excluded?
Check Your Understanding
Organize the following to form a topic outline.
Sociolinguistics
Psycholinguistics
Distinctions in Linguistics
Synchronic and diachronic
Corpus linguistics
Phonology
Semantics
Historical linguistics
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Descriptive linguistics
Langue and parole
Oral and written
Technical Aspects of Linguistics
Competence and performance
Syntax
Branches of Applied Linguistics
Let’s Step Up!
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Lesson 4: Writing a Sentence Outline
Another type of outline is a ​sentence outline​. It is a hierarchical
outline composed of sentences instead of keywords or key
phrases. It is typically used to plan the composition of books,
stories, and essays. It can be used as a publishing format, in
which the outline itself is the end product.
This lesson will help us discover the means in developing our brainstorming list, graphic
organizer, or topic outline into a sentence outline.
Warm-up!
Self-assessment
Consider the following questions and submit your answers on short bond paper using Courier
font size 12, single-spaced:
1. Did you ever start writing a paper without an outline to refer to?
2. How did you feel about writing a paper without an outline? Did you get stressed or
frustrated, or were you okay with it?
3. Did you know what the main idea that needed to be supported throughout?
4. Did you have enough details to support what you wanted to say?
5. How many times have you read the essay during the revision stage and realized that
some points lack certain details or have too much information?
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Learn About It!
A ​sentence outline ​has the same function as a topic outline. It
is quite more specific because it already states the main idea
and the supporting ideas in full sentences.
Below is an example of a sentence outline.
Topic:​ Filipino Hospitality
Thesis statement: ​Filipino hospitality is a distinct and positive
Filipino trait.
Writer’s specific purpose: To inform readers about Filipino hospitality and enumerate
the ways on how Filipinos show their hospitality
I.
Filipino hospitality is the warm and welcoming treatment of visitors, particularly
foreigners.
A. Prior to the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, the natives already exhibited
hospitality when they welcomed the Malays to the country.
B. Being warm and welcoming to visitors might have been cultivated by the fact that
different nationalities visited and even occupied the country, such as the Chinese,
Indonesians, Spanish, Japanese, and Americans.
II.
Filipinos show hospitality in several ways.
A. Filipinos accept guests at home as if they were part of their own family, serving
them food and making them feel at home.
B. Filipinos show hospitality to foreigners by extending their assistance when needed
and even welcoming them into their own homes.
III.
Filipino hospitality is a positive trait and the implications to our society, in general, are
regarded as positive.
A. Being hospitable shows that the Philippines is a peace-loving nation.
B. Being hospitable encourages foreigners to visit and invest in our country.
In the example above, the main points and the supporting ideas are stated in full sentences.
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Steps in Writing a Sentence Outline
1. Write your thesis statement. It should be a complete, declarative sentence.
2. Create a list of main points to support the thesis. State them in complete sentences.
3. Write a list of supporting ideas for each main point. State them in complete sentences.
Check Your Understanding
Read the passage below. Complete the sentence outline that follows.
Sparrows, Robins, and You
Early one summer, city workers in Hamilton, Ontario, were trimming limbs from trees along
the streets. In one tree marked for cutting, they found a nest of baby robins. The workers
decided not to touch the limb until the young birds flew.
Later, when the nest was abandoned, they examined it and discovered in the bottom a little
scrap of paper. The robins had used it, along with the dried twigs, to build their nest. On the
paper were these words: We trust in the Lord God.” Now, we don’t know if the workers saw
the remarkable significance of these words, but their concern for sparing those tiny robins
was God’s way of caring for his creatures.
Likewise, our Heavenly Father takes special care to protect us from dangers we cannot
foresee. Sometimes, we are not even aware of his guarding hand, and at other times, his
care is evident in unusual ways. Therefore, we can “trust in the Lord.” The hymn writer John
Sammis wrote, “He daily spreads a bounteous feast, and at his table dine the whole
creation, man and beast, and He’s a Friend of mine.” Our loving God, who takes care of
sparrows and robins, will most surely protect and provide for his own children. No wonder
Jesus said, “Do not fear.” The trust in God is the perfect cure for fear.
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I.
II.
III.
City workers were trimming limbs of trees.
A. ________________________________________________________________
B. ________________________________________________________________
When the nest was abandoned, they examined it.
A. ________________________________________________________________
B. ________________________________________________________________
Our Heavenly Father protects us from danger.
A. ________________________________________________________________
B. ________________________________________________________________
Let’s Step Up!
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Performance Task
Lecture Presenter
Goal
Present significant information relevant to your strand. The topic that you will be choosing
should not be among the topics being discussed by your teachers. Research about an original
topic that you can share with your classmates. Present the topic as an expert through an
outline using a well-crafted visual aid.
Role
You are an expert in the field who has been invited to present an innovative or significant
information relevant to your strand.
Audience
Your audience is composed of your classmates and other schoolmates in the same strand, as
well as your teachers.
Situation
You have been invited to a conference as an expert of your field. As one of the invited
lecturers, you are tasked to present a significant or innovative topic based on your field.
Product
Create a slide presentation to present your topic in front of your audience. Your product
needs to include the following:
1. A well-developed topic outline or sentence outline for your audience to follow;
2. A well-constructed script/speech that you will speak on. Take note that you are
not supposed to read the slides verbatim during your presentation. The slide
presentation shall only serve as a visual aid for your audience; and
3. A smart casual outfit to complete your look as an expert.
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Standards and Criteria for Success
Your project will be graded using the rubric below:
Criteria
Beginning
(0-12 points)
Developing
(13-16 points)
Accomplished
(17-20 points)
Content
The thesis
statement is not
clear and does
not demonstrate
a clear stand. It is
not presented in
the outline.
The thesis
statement is
somewhat clear
but does not
fully propose a
solid point. It is
absent from the
outline.
The thesis
statement is
clear and
proposes a solid
point. It appears
at the
introduction.
Organization
Insufficient
information was
presented. Only
random
collections of
information that
are unclear and
unrelated to the
topic are
presented.
The outline
adequately
explains the
background,
but lacks detail.
The outline is
well-developed,
engaging, and
interesting. It
contains detailed
background
information.
Language
(spelling, mechanics,
grammar, and word
usage)
The outline has
serious errors in
spelling,
punctuation,
grammar, and
format.
The outline
exhibits an
undeveloped
use of spelling,
punctuation,
grammar, and
format. There
are many
errors.
The outline
exhibits
excellent use of
spelling,
punctuation,
grammar, and
format.
Punctuality
The products are
submitted two
days after the
given deadline.
The products
are submitted
one day after
the given
deadline.
The products are
submitted on or
before the given
deadline.
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Score
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Format of the outline
The outline has
serious errors
and does not use
the correct
format.
The outline
resembles the
correct format,
but proper
symbols and
indentations
are not used.
The outline
employs the
correct format,
and proper use
of symbols and
correct
indentations are
evident.
Delivery
The presentation
missed two or
more of the key
components.
Student’s voice
was not audible.
Eye contact was
poorly
established with
the audience.
The
presentation
missed one of
the key
components.
Student’s voice
was barely
audible. Eye
contact was
rarely
established with
the audience.
The student's
presentation is
engaging and
interesting. Key
points are
expounded
effectively.
Student speaks
loudly and
clearly. Good eye
contact was
made with
audience.
Score​:
Self-Check: How Well Did I Learn?
Do a self-check on how well you learned the lessons in this unit. Place a checkmark in the
appropriate box.
Skills
I think I need
more practice
and assistance
I am familiar and
can perform well
with minimal
assistance
I am confident
that I can
perform this on
my own
I can differentiate between
techniques in selecting and
organizing information.
I can create my own
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brainstorming list.
I can differentiate between
the graphic organizers used
for selecting and organizing
information.
I can distinguish a topic
outline from a sentence
outline.
I can w
​ rite a suitable outline
for a specific topic.
Wrap Up
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Bibliography
Bell, Vinetta. 2016. A
​ Writing Process. L
​ earn NC. Accessed September 10, 2018.
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/writing-process/5809.
Oldham, Davis. 2016. ​Research Paper Sentence Outline. A
​ ccessed September 10, 2018.
https://app.shoreline.edu/doldham/102/HTML/Sentence Outline.html.
“Brainstorming and Listing Exercise Student Instructions.” Writing@CSU. 2016. Accessed
September 10, 2018. http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/gentopic/pop4d.cfm.
Recommended Links for This Unit:
Duarte, Nancy. "The Secret Structure of Great Talks." TED: Ideas worth Spreading. November
2011. Accessed September 10, 2018.
https://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_duarte_the_secret_structure_of_great_talks?referrer=
playlist-how_to_make_a_great_presentation.
McCandless, David. "The Beauty of Data Visualization." TED: Ideas worth Spreading. July 2010.
Accessed September 10, 2018.
https://www.ted.com/talks/david_mccandless_the_beauty_of_data_visualization?referre
r=playlist-how_to_make_a_great_presentation&language=en.
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