Concept Mapping & Outlining - Responding to RFP

Outlining & Concept Mapping

David Proffitt & Matt Drake CMP 3720 | Jan. 24, 2019

What makes a good outline? Hint: Use topic outlines to

structure and review the logic of your argument and

sentence outlines to get a head-start on writing

Start BIG, get smaller 1. Identify the purpose (research problem) 2. Lay out overall structure by drafting

section headers - e.g. introduction, literature review, methodology, discussion conclusion

3. Map out the subtopics within each section - e.g. units of analysis, data sources, analytical method within Methodology section

4. Optionally, do some “pre-writing” a. List questions to answer in each

section, subsection b. Draft topic sentences for sections,

subsections, and paragraphs c. Place key evidence supporting

your claims by section/paragraph

The “retro-outline”

More fact-finding mission than vintage expedition

A retro-outline is an outline created from a partially or entirely completed paper.

Use this method to check the logic of your argument and presentation: If it is difficult to create a retro-outline that makes sense and is clearly organized, then the paper needs revision.

The retro-outline can help by showing where the organization has broken down.

Concept mapping

What the *&^&% is that?!

The brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than it processes text. (Do we need to draw you a picture?!!)

Use concept maps and mind maps to:

● Organize and represent knowledge! ● Visualize relationships among concepts! ● Test your understanding of complex

subjects!

Concept- mapping process

Fruitful explorations grow from multiple iterations!

1. Brainstorm. List all important topics related to your project.

2. Rank. Pick out the most essential concept - the one from which all the others stem. Arrange concepts on your map with the main one in the center and less important ones around the edges.

3. Link. Draw arrows between related concepts. Indicate the direction (and strength, nature, or consistency) of the relationship using line weights, arrow heads, and dotted or curved lines.

4. Label. Explain the relationship between concepts by labeling connecting arrows. Relations between concepts should be expressible as a sentence.

5. Repeat. Is the map legible? Complete?

Elements of concept mapping

What are the tools in your toolbox?

Concepts: distinct ideas or topics designated by a shape; often called “nodes” Linking words/phrases: labelled lines indicating relationships among concepts; often called “arcs” Propositional structure: units of linked concepts that represent an important subtopic Hierarchical structure: more general concepts at the top, more specific below Focus question: guiding definition of the problem or issue the map addresses Parking lot: list of key concepts to be mapped; can be ranked by importance Cross-links: meta-scale connections between different domains (clusters of linked concepts and propositions) on the map

Concept map ● Hierarchical structure ● Graphically distinct concept

nodes ● Labelled, directional arcs

What makes a good concept

map? Tips and tricks of the trade

● Depict each concept only once. If the same concept appears in different places on your map, either rethink the map or rethink your concept definitions.

● Show only what’s needed. The map should not have elements that are unrelated to other parts of the map.

● Focus on relationships between concepts. You should be able to express each relationship as a sentence.

Assignment: Due Thursday, Jan. 31

Part 1: Create a concept map/mind map that depicts the problem defined in this request for proposals (RFP) from the SLC Municipal Corp. Focus on the information presented in Section I - Objective and Section II - Background.

Part 2: Outline the elements of a research proposal answering this RFP. We are looking for a topic-level outline that shows what your proposal will address in what order. In other words, you don’t need to develop a detailed research plan (unless you want to)! Just follow the instructions in the RFP.