Note Blueprint Slides Information Architects
Lesson 1: Organizing Research Notes
"Before you build a house, you need to sort your materials."
The Junk Drawer Challenge
Imagine you have a drawer full of:
Batteries
Old keys
Loose change
Paperclips
The Question:
If you just dump this onto a table, can you find what you need quickly?
🖇️
🔋
🔑
🪙
Research = Information
When we research, we find many Facts.
If we just "dump" facts into our writing, it's a...
DATA DUMP!
This makes it very hard for the reader to understand our story.
Step 1: Categorize
1
Find a Topic
The main subject (e.g., Honey Bees).
2
Identify Sub-Topics
Smaller groups of info (e.g., Habitat, Diet, Dangers).
3
Sort Your Notes
Put each fact into the right "bin".
Note Matrix Example
Habitat
Diet
Nectar from flowers
Pollen
Architect Vocabulary
Synthesize
To combine several things as a whole.
Matrix
An organizational table with rows and columns.
Sub-topic
A secondary or more specific topic within a main topic.
Categorize
To place items into groups based on similar qualities.
Sorting the Junk Drawer Worksheet The Junk Drawer Challenge
Information Architect Workshop 01
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Sorting Physical Items
Look at the following "junk" list. Group them into three logical categories and give each group a name.
AA Battery Pencil Blue Pen Phone Charger Highlighter Earbuds Paperclip Staple Remover 9V Battery Rubber Band Sticky Notes USB Cable
Category 1: _________
Category 2: _________
Category 3: _________
Part 2: Sorting Your Notes
Topic: Electric Cars
Task: Read the random facts below. Decide on three "Sub-Topic" categories. Then, write the number of each fact in the correct box below.
1. Batteries take 30-60 mins to charge.
2. EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions.
3. Electric motors are very quiet.
4. Charging stations are becoming more common.
5. Manufacturing batteries can pollute water.
6. EVs help reduce global smog levels.
7. Most home chargers are installed in garages.
8. EVs can accelerate faster than gas cars.
Category: Charging/Energy
Put fact numbers here:
Category: Environment
Put fact numbers here:
Category: Performance/Style
Put fact numbers here:
The Architect's Reflection
Why is it easier to write a paragraph about "Environment" now that you have sorted your notes?
Note Matrix Template Architect Tool
The Synthesis Matrix
Use this to organize facts from different sources.
Main Topic
Research Question
| Source Name Author, Title, Year | Sub-Topic A:
| Sub-Topic B:
| Sub-Topic C:
|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|
Source 1 info
| | | |
|
Source 2 info
| | | |
|
Source 3 info
| | | |
Architecture Tip 1
Don't write full sentences. Use keywords and phrases to save space.
Architecture Tip 2
Look vertically. If Source 1 and Source 2 both have info in Sub-Topic A, they belong in the same paragraph!
Architecture Tip 3
Always note the page number or paragraph number next to the fact for your citations.
Source Connector Slides Source Connector
Lesson 2: Identifying Connections
"One source is a fact. Two sources is a conversation."
What Actually Happened?
Witness A
"The dog ran through the gate. It was huge and brown. It looked angry."
Witness B
"A large brown dog escaped. It was wagging its tail and looking for a ball."
What do they agree on? What do they disagree on?
The Source Conversation
Agreement
"Both authors state..."
When sources say the same thing, the information is likely more reliable. This is your strongest evidence.
Contradiction
"While Source A says X, Source B argues Y..."
When sources disagree, it shows there is a debate or multiple perspectives. This makes your writing more complex and interesting!
Visualizing Connections
Source A
Only in Source A
Source B
Only in Source B
Synthesis Zone
Information found in
Joining the Conversation
To Show Agreement:
"Similar to Source A, Source B says..."
"Both authors agree that..."
"Source B supports Source A's claim..."
To Show Difference:
"In contrast to Source A, Source B argues..."
"However, Source B suggests a different view..."
"While Source A focuses on X, Source B..."
Eyewitness Accounts Reading Eyewitness Case Study
The Mystery of the School Cafeteria Mural
Name:
Scenario
Last night, someone painted a giant mural of a dragon on the cafeteria wall. The school principal interviewed two witnesses to find out what happened. Read their accounts below.
Source A: Ms. Gable
Night Janitor
"I was mopping the hallway around 9:00 PM when I saw a figure in a black hoodie entering the cafeteria. They were carrying a large plastic bucket and several brushes. They looked very tall, maybe a high school student. I didn't see their face, but they were working very quickly. I heard them listening to loud hip-hop music while they painted. By the time I came back at 10:30 PM, they were gone, and the dragon was finished. It was mostly bright red and gold."
Source B: Officer Miller
Security Patrol
"I drove past the school at 9:15 PM and saw a dark-colored van parked near the cafeteria entrance. A person wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt was unloading spray paint cans from the back of the van. The individual appeared to be of average height. They were working very carefully, almost like a professional artist. I checked the area again at midnight, and the van was gone. The mural is impressive, with lots of blue and silver details."
Mapping the Connections
Source A Only
Source B Only
The Synthesis Zone
Facts confirmed by BOTH sources
Comparing the Accounts
1. Identify a contradiction (disagreement) between Ms. Gable and Officer Miller regarding the artist's tools. Why might they see it differently?
2. Synthesize a "Safe Statement": Based on both accounts, write one sentence describing the artist's clothing that is 100% accurate.
Critical Thinking
If you were the Principal, which source would you trust more for the color of the dragon? Why?
Paragraph Builder Slides The Synthesis Sandwich
Lesson 3: Drafting the Paragraph
"Mixing ingredients to make a complete meal."
The Paragraph Problem
The "Patchwork" Method
Writing one sentence from Source A, then one sentence from Source B, without explaining how they fit together.
The Synthesis Method
Using a Topic Sentence to introduce a shared idea, then showing how both sources prove it.
Connect the Dots
The Sandwich Blueprint
The Topic Sentence (The Bun)
Introduces the BIG IDEA found in multiple sources.
Evidence (The Meat)
Direct quotes or paraphrased facts from SOURCE A and SOURCE B.
Explanation (The Sauce)
Your own words explaining WHY these sources matter together.
The Conclusion (The Bun)
Wraps up the paragraph and links back to the main point.
Joining Sources
How do we put two sources in the same sentence? Try these:
"According to both [Source A] and [Source B], it is clear that..."
"While [Source A] focuses on [Idea 1], [Source B] adds that..."
"[Source A] states X; similarly, [Source B] reports that..."
Time to Draft
Open your Synthesis Sandwich Worksheet. We are going to build a paragraph about the Mural Mystery using our notes from Lesson 2.
1. Plan
2. Draft
3. Review
The Synthesis Sandwich Worksheet The Synthesis Sandwich
Drafting your academic paragraph
Name:
Recipe for Success
Use your notes from the Mural Mystery case study. Fill in the layers of the sandwich below to build your body paragraph.
Layer 1: Top Bun (Topic Sentence)
Write one sentence that introduces the main idea shared by BOTH sources.
Layer 2: The Meat (Evidence)
Provide one fact from Source A and one fact from Source B. Use a sentence starter to link them.
Layer 3: The Sauce (Explanation)
Explain in your own words why these facts are important or how they work together.
Layer 4: Bottom Bun (Concluding Thought)
One final sentence to wrap up your thoughts and finish the paragraph.
To Introduce Evidence:
• According to [Source Name], "..."
• As stated in [Source Name], ...
• [Source Name] explains that...
To Connect Sources:
• Similarly, [Source B] argues...
• In addition, [Source B] adds...
• On the other hand, [Source B] suggests...
Cohesion Bridge Slides Cohesion Bridges
Lesson 4: Using Transitions
"Making your ideas flow like water, not crash like rocks."
Choppy vs. Smooth
Choppy (Rocks) 🪨
The mural is bright red. Ms. Gable saw it. Officer Miller saw blue details. They disagree on colors. They agree a tall person was there.
Verdict: Hard to read. No connections.
Smooth (Bridge) 🌉
Ms. Gable saw a bright red mural; however, Officer Miller noticed blue details. Despite this difference, both witnesses agree that the suspect was tall.
Verdict: Clear flow. Professional tone.
Building Your Bridge
Adding Info
Use these to say "and more":
Furthermore,
In addition,
Moreover,
Contrast
Use these to show a "change":
However,
In contrast,
Conversely,
Evidence
Use these to "show proof":
For instance,
Specifically,
As a result,
Maze Challenge
To get through the maze, you must choose the bridge that fits the two islands.
Island 1: "It was raining."
Island 2: "They played the game anyway."
Which bridge works? "Furthermore" or "Nevertheless"?
The Secret of the Comma
Most transition words at the start of a sentence need a COMMA after them.
Furthermore, the data shows...
Without the comma, the reader can't catch their breath!
Transition Maze Challenge Worksheet The Transition Maze
Level: Master Information Architect
Name:
Objective
Navigate the path from START to FINISH by selecting the correct transition word to link each pair of sentences. Circle the correct word to "open the gate" to the next room.
START
Room 1: "Source A says the suspect was tall."
Similarly
However
In contrast
Furthermore
:Room 2
Room 3: "The dragon mural was completed in one night."
Moreover
Nevertheless
FINISH
As a result
Conversely
:Room 4 "The principal has two witness accounts."
The Power of Punctuation
Take one pair of sentences from above and rewrite them as one single sentence using a semicolon (;) and your chosen transition word.
Write your master sentence here
Architect Pro Tip
Always place a comma after your transition word if it starts a new independent clause. It helps the reader pause and process the connection.
Check Your Work
Read your sentence out loud. Does the transition word make sense? Does it sound smooth? If not, try a different category word.
Project Blueprint Slides Grand Reveal
Lesson 5: Project Final
Final Objective
"To produce a synthesis product that combines evidence from multiple sources to answer a research question."
Clear
Connected
Cited
The Gallery Walk
1
Display your synthesis draft on your desk.
2
Walk around and read your peers' work.
3
Give "Warm" and "Cool" feedback using sticky notes.
📝
"I love how you connected Source A and B! Try adding a transition word in line 4."
Architect's Checklist
Does my topic sentence cover the big idea?
Are there facts from at least 2 sources?
Did I mention the authors' names?
Are my transitions smooth and logical?
Is my punctuation (commas) correct?
Did I explain why the info matters?
Mission Accomplished
You are now an Information Architect. You can turn messy facts into academic structures.
Final Submissions Due at end of class!
Synthesis Report Template Final Synthesis Report
Topic: ________________________
Author:
The Mission
Combine your organized notes, your "Synthesis Sandwich" draft, and your transition skills into one final, polished academic paragraph. This is your chance to show you can build a complete story from different sources.
Verified Architect
Write your final synthesis below
Gallery Walk Feedback
Warm Feedback (What was great?)
Cool Feedback (What can be improved?) Synthesis Teacher Guide Master Architect's Guide
Teacher Reference & Answer Key
Unit: Research Literacy
Sequence Map
Lesson Primary ESL Focus Key Scaffold 1: Organization Categorizing academic vocabulary Matrix Graphic Organizer 2: Connections Comparing source reliability Eyewitness Case Study 3: Drafting Source integration grammar Sentence Frames 4: Cohesion Logical conjunctions/transitions Transition Maze Activity 5: Presentation Peer feedback & academic tone Synthesis Rubric
L1: Note Sorting Key
Charging: Facts 1, 4, 7
Environment: Facts 2, 5, 6
Performance: Facts 3, 8
L4: Maze Solution
Room 1: Similarly
Room 2: In contrast
Room 3: Moreover
Room 4: As a result
ESL Differentiation
Emerging (Level 1-2)
Focus on identifying nouns and verbs in sources. Use pictures for categorization. Provide paragraphs where only transition words are missing.
Expanding (Level 3-4)
Encourage use of high-level transitions (e.g., 'Nonetheless', 'Concomitantly'). Focus on citation formatting and source reliability nuances.
Bridging (Level 5+)
Analyze three or more sources. Focus on synthesizing opposing viewpoints into a balanced academic argument with counter-claims.
Quick-Check Rubric
Category
3 - Proficient
2 - Developing
1 - Beginning
Integration
Successfully blends 2+ sources.
Uses 2 sources but feels choppy.
Only uses 1 source.
Transitions
Uses various category words.
Relies on "And" or "But".
No transition words used.
