SORT
Sort your notes (or cards) into piles or groups according to related ideas and points. Make sure each note has a label for its date and source. Each pile will turn into one of your paragraphs.
SIFT
Sift through each pile of notes and keep only the most important and most relevant notes. Separate the other notes, but don't throw them away yet.
WEIGH
Weigh in your mind each fact and idea to see how it contributes to your overall thesis. Does it help advance your thesis? Does it have a citation to go with it? Does it sound solid and impressive? Do you know just where this fact belongs in your overall paper?
ARRANGE
Arrange the piles into paragraphs according to your organizational plan. Your plan may be from least important to most important, or perhaps you are using chronological order. There are other types of organizational plans, as well. Don't forget the introduction and conclusion.
Now you are ready to start writing an outline, and then the draft of your paper.
