Reviewing Research Notes

Worksheet Description

The “Is it Relevant?” worksheet is a structured guide for students to organize their research around a central thesis. It begins by asking for the research topic and thesis statement, ensuring that the student has a clear understanding of the subject matter. Students are then directed to list at least three sources they used for their research, providing a foundation for the information they will sort. The worksheet includes a two-part organizer where students must categorize their research findings into “Very Important” and “Interesting, but Not Important,” and reflect on how each fact is relevant to their thesis.

This worksheet teaches students to critically evaluate research materials in relation to a central thesis. It encourages them to differentiate between information that is crucial for supporting their main argument and details that, while interesting, do not advance their thesis. By doing so, students learn to focus their writing on relevant evidence and construct well-supported arguments. The exercise also reinforces the importance of reflecting on the source material to ensure its direct relevance to the topic at hand, a key aspect of effective research and writing.