GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS
Topics
Graphic Organizers In General
Sequential Graphic Organizers
Single Main Concept Graphic Organizers
Multiple Concept Graphic Organizers
Figures
Timeline
Flowchart
Cyclical Graphic Organizer
Hierarchy
Continuum
Simple Argumentation Structure
Complex Argumentation Structure
Spider Map
Venn Diagram
Matrix
Graphic Organizers In General
A graphic organizer is a diagram or illustration of a written or oral statement.Examples include
matrices, hierarchies, and continua. The goal in using graphic organizers is to organize ideas and
examine relationships. In doing so, people engage more of their core thinking skills and process
information more intensely, improving long term recall. Graphic organizers are especially
helpful to average, under-achieving, and struggling learners. The process of reviewing
information and organizing it appears to help learners arrange the material in their minds.
Although there are many different graphic organizers, they can be grouped into three main types.
Graphic organizers may be grouped or classified as representing sequential information, a single
main concept, or multiple concepts. Different types within each classification can be used to
represent simple or more complex information. Figure 1 is a matrix graphic organizer depicting
classes and types of graphic organizers.
CLASS
Sequentia
l
Single
Main
Concept
Multiple
Concepts
TYPE
Simple -------------------------------------------------------->More Complex
Timeline.............................Flowchart..........Cyclical.........................Hierarchy..........
.
Continua...............................Argumentation Structure......................Spider Map....
......................Venn Diagram ................................................ Matrix.........................
FIGURE 1
Classes and Types of Graphic Organizers
Sequential Graphic Organizers
Sequential graphic organizers represent serial information. Timelines represent information that
proceeds in temporal order. Flowcharts represent information that is also serial, but there are
discrete steps, or steps that must be completed in order. When all the steps in a flowchart are
dependent on the previous one, and when the last step is connected to the first step, then a
cyclical organizer is best.
A hierarchy is also like a flowchart, except each subordinate step may have more than one
branch. Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 depict a timeline, flowchart, cyclical, and hierarchical graphic
organizer.
1900
1925
1950
FIGURE 2
A Timeline
1975
2000
Figure 3
A Flowchart
FIGURE 4
A Cyclical Graphic Organizer
Figure 5
A Hierarchy
Single Main Concept Graphic Organizers
A second class of graphic organizers effectively illustrates materials having a single main
concept. Information related to the main concept is included on either side of, or around the idea.
Examples consist of continua, argumentation structures, and spider maps.
A continuum looks similar to a timeline, however it is not serial. Instead, continua represent the
range of possibilities represented by a concept. They are well suited for material that contains
many gradations between two extremes. Figure 6 represents a sample continuum.
Extreme
Extreme
Opposite
FIGURE 6
A Continuum
Argumentation structures (Figure 7-1 & 7-2) can range from simple to complex. They represent
the logical evaluation of an argument, presenting support for drawing a particular conclusion.
Simple structures represent premises (facts) that lead to a conclusion (a deduction, inference, or
judgment). More complex structures contain sequences of reasoning, with explanations.
Premises
1.________________________________________________________________
2.________________________________________________________________
3.________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSION
__________________________________________________________________
FIGURE 7-1
Simple Argumentation Structure
Premises - Reasoning Chain
Premises - Reasoning Chain
1. _____________________________
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
Conclusion
3. _____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Explanations
Explanations
1. _____________________________
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
FIGURE 7-2
Complex Argumentation Structure
Spider maps, and the similar fishbone maps, are well suited to diagramming a central concept
surrounded by related information. This may consist of an object and its attributes, or a primary
concept with arms and legs for each major supporting idea. A branch from each leg for details of
each idea may be included. Another example consists of a central proposition with supporting
material, quotes, data, and examples, each on their own leg. Figure 8 represents a typical spider
map.
FIGURE 8
A Spider Map
Multiple Concept Graphic Organizers
A third group of graphic organizers can be used to represent material with more than one
concept. These can be more complex organizers, for use with involved or elaborate information.
Representative types with this class include Venn diagrams, and matrices.
Venn diagrams, familiar constructs for portraying set theory in mathematics, can be applied to
other disciplines as well. They can be used in the same way as in mathematics - for
demonstrating the ways in which two or more sets of data coincide. They effectively depict the
similarities and differences between groups. Figure 9 represents a simple, two group Venn
diagram.
FIGURE 9
A Venn Diagram
The graphic organizer able to demonstrate perhaps the widest range of complexity is the matrix.
Matrices are constructs of rows and columns. They can span a range from simple, one column
1xn matrices to unlimited nxn matrices. They can be used to compare and contrast two items, or
they can be used to list objects cross-referenced with the attributes of each object. Figure 10
represents a 3x4 matrix.
FIGURE 10
A Matrix Graphic Organizer
© 1993 Michael Drafke
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http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/drafke/Graphic organizers.htm