Graphic organizer

The graphic organizer or organizational chart is well known. You have seen many of them. Besides showing how an organization is structured, it can be used to recall information. It is another method to arrange material, thoughts, or content.

It may be appropriate to place your paper in landscape so that you can have space to write your ideas.

See graphic organizer schematic.

Steps

1. Begin by writing a title at the top centre of the page.

2. Decide what categories you think are appropriate for the information that you are recalling.

3. Add lines with details. Fill in the detail with single words or phrases. The words or symbols that you use will trigger complete thoughts.

4. It is possible to draw dotted lines (wavy lines or coloured lines) from one category to another indicating that (a) the idea belongs in both categories or (b) there is a relationship between both ideas. If you use dotted lines, you will need a legend.

5. Colour each of the categories and its contents a different colour. Many people remember best when colour is used.

This kind of diagram allows you to see the various relationships between and among ideas.

The organization chart is more flexible than a linear format but not nearly as elastic as other learning strategies demonstrated elsewhere in Learning Strategies.

The linear format is simply writing all your ideas on a sheet of paper in a straight line. It does not allow you to easily indicate relationships. The organizational chart assists you in classifying your learning.

This sample is from 3B — Wildlife trees