This is an exercise I can do in class or have students do independently to organize their research writing ideas. The use of physical cards or post-its breaks students away from their screens. The collaborative aspect helps them see multiple ways to organize the same data. (English 100 - first year composition. UMBC)

1. Week 8+
organization exercise with
cards/post-its
When not in conference with Ms. Walters, Michelle, or
Phil, go through these steps with your team
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2. To start
 Take about 10 index cards or post-it notes.
 You will only put ONE piece of information on each card.
 (let everyone in the group get caught-up before moving
ahead to next prompt)
As an in-class exercise, we may be
going faster, but you can revisit this
during workshop week!
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3. First few cards
 One card should contain your current working thesis
statement
 Several cards should state smaller claims or “warrants”
you’ll use to support or explain specific aspects of your
thesis.
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4. Sourced info
 At least 3 cards should be quotes or summaries of
useful specific information you found in research.
 (Give quick citation-info at the bottom of each card- just
enough so you can link it with the right source later, like
“Warrens, p 23”)
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5. Adding some argument
 At least 1 card must be a counter claim (an objection
readers might make, or a theory you disagree with).
 For each counter-claim card, you must have at least one
rebuttal card.
 (you can get more index cards/post-its if needed. Again,
let everyone catch up if in workshop-week mode)
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6. Note for perfectionists:
 Remember – you’re not “married” to any of this – go
ahead and put down stuff you’re not sure you will need,
even stuff that seems wacky. It’s better to have too
many ideas, too much information, than not enough.
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7. More card options
(skipping for in-class version in Week 8)
 Some cards may contain questions you
might ask (and answer) in your paper.
 Some cards should give examples
 Some cards should contain facts/figures
(statistics or data)
 Some cards may contain relevant
background data.
 Some cards may state applications or
implications of your thesis.
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8. Gorgeous chaos?
http://www.jeromecukier.net/blog/2008/11/26/book-review-presentation-zen-by-garr-reynolds/
Next phase
begins on
next card
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9. Pass the cards
 Hand each other your stack of cards. (In a group of 3,
each person hands to the person to their left. In 4s,
maybe swap with whoever is next to you.
 Take the cards in your hand, and organize them in a way
that makes sense to you.
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10. Discuss with card-creators
 Discuss the organization of “your” stack. Try to be
“sounding boards” and not “devil’s advocates”.
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11. Agreement
 Come to a preferred order for each stack. Add
cards/notes as needed.
 Try to choose paragraph types & add to cards.
 (definition, description, analysis, synthesis, cause and
effect, compare and contrast, narration)
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12. Don’t lose the order! & Plans for next
step….
 Copy down this “new & improved outline” (paper, or
email it to self (or G-Drive or Box)).
 Include extra notes about paragraph types
 Discuss time available, research needed, pick specific
cards/tasks to do in a specific (if arbitrary) order.
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