Now that you have read all of your sources and recorded the useful information, you are ready to start organizing your notes. Start by rereading all of your notes. If you have used paper or index cards, you can physically sort each note into piles with similar information. This will be much easier if you have labeled each note with a category from the start.

If you took notes digitally, you might sort your notes using the highlight tool, like this.

Use an outline to further organize your notes into subtopics and supporting details.

To create an outline:

• Place your thesis statement at the beginning.

• List the major points that support your thesis. Label them in Roman Numerals (I, II, III, etc.).

• List supporting ideas or arguments for each major point. Label them in capital letters (A, B, C, etc.).

• If applicable, continue to sub-divide each supporting idea until your outline is fully developed. Label them 1, 2, 3, etc., and then a, b, c, etc.

Here are two templates for an outline. Here is an example of a completed argument essay outline, and here is an example of an expository essay outline.

Please remember, there is no magic in having three body paragraphs or three body sections. Your research and learning should guide the number of paragraphs or body sections in your final project.

The final form your project takes is often dictated by the assignment, but if you do you have a choice in the final project or if you are researching for your own learning and want your new knowledge to reach a broad audience, then you'll want to consider who that audience is and the best way to reach and affect them.

Whether you want to start a blog, build a website, host a podcast, or create infographics, there is a free tool for you. To get started, just ask your librarian. ☺