The Lighthouse Diary #57: Alumni Talk on the Research Process

Our alumni, Artie Cabezas and Zoe Gagatiga (Praelius, 2020) served as guest speakers during the Core Session with the seniors last September 9, 2024. They shared their experiences on the EE and SP, focusing on the essentials of research, crafting an outline, and the challenges seniors face when writing an academic essay. Artie discussed the importance of a disciplined approach to academic writing, while Zoe highlighted the challenges of completing a 3,000-word senior project. Both emphasized the necessity of trust in the research process.

Recognizing the diversity of our learners, we have provided support materials on outlining and various methods to create one. 

Crafting an Outline

When writing an academic essay, clarity and organization are crucial. While you’ll ultimately present your essay in traditional text format, using certain tools and methods during the planning and drafting stages can greatly enhance the quality of your work. 

Here are some of the best tools and methods for outlining and organizing your academic essay:

1. Outlining Tools

   - Text-Based Outline: Start with a simple text-based outline to organize your thoughts. This can include headings for Introduction, Thesis Statement, Body, and Conclusion.

   - Hierarchical Outline: Use a hierarchical outline to break down main points into subpoints. This helps in detailing the structure of each section and sub-section.

2. Mind Maps and Flowcharts

   - Mind Mapping: Tools like MindMeister can help you visually organize your ideas and see connections between them. This can be particularly useful for brainstorming and organizing complex ideas.

   - Flowcharts: Use flowcharts to map out the logical flow of your arguments and how different points interrelate. This is useful for ensuring that your essay has a logical progression.

4. Templates and Guides:

   - Essay Templates: Academic essay templates can help structure your introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion effectively.

   - Writing Guides: Refer to academic writing guides or manuals, like the APA, MLA, or Chicago style guides, depending on your discipline.

5. Checklists:

   - Essay Checklists: Use checklists to ensure that all required elements of an academic essay are included, such as thesis statements, topic sentences, evidence, and analysis.

For the actual writing, a text-based outline is often the most practical and widely used method in academia. It allows you to clearly map out your argument and ensure that each section of your essay is well-organized. However, integrating mind maps or flowcharts during the planning phase can provide a more comprehensive view of your essay’s structure and help you manage complex ideas.