A graphic organizer is a visual tool that can be used to organize ideas and information. It represents concepts in a visual format to help see relationships between different ideas. There are many types of graphic organizers including mind maps, flow charts, Venn diagrams, and webs. Graphic organizers help structure information for tasks like brainstorming, writing, and reflecting. They make relationships between concepts clear and help develop ideas in an organized manner.

1. Organizers and Mind Mapping
 A graphic organizer
is a tool you can
use to brainstorm
and organize your
thoughts.
 A graphic organizer
is helpful because
you can represent
ideas in a visual
way. Sample of a mind map
"Reproduced with permission from MindTools.com http://www.mindtools.com/pages/articles/newISS_01.htm

2. How will a graphic organizer
help me?
-organize information visually
-see relationships between ideas
-Use a helpful pre-writing activity

3. What types of organizers are
available?
 Graphic organizers aren’t all that new.
 You’ve completed many graphic organizers.
 The following chart is an example of a graphic
organizer, as are mind maps, webs, timelines, flow
charts, Venn diagrams, and graphs.
Reading Reflecting
Double Entry Reading Journal

4. Basic Organizers
 This flow chart enables you to
organize a series of events.
First
Event
Second
Event
Third Event

5. Basic Organizers
Trait
• Quote to
support that trait
• Quote to
support that trait
Trait
• Quote to
support that trait
• Quote to
support that trait
Trait
• Quote to
support that trait
• Quote to
support that trait
Use this spider map to organize ideas and examples.
Details become more specific the further you move from the
center of the map.
Character
Sketch

6. Basic Organizers
Venn diagrams enable you to compare and contrast ideas.
 Areas that overlap show similar ideas.
Idea
IdeaIdea
 Areas that do not overlap show different ideas.

7. Basic Organizers
Concept maps
illustrate relationships
among ideas.
 Relationships are
labeled on lines
connecting ideas.
 Information is
organized from
general (at the top
of the page) to more
specific (as you
move down).
Reprinted with permission

8. Basic Organizers
Mind maps are
helpful for
brainstorming
numerous ideas
within one topic.
 Similar ideas are
grouped together.
 Relationships
between ideas are
not shown.
©2010 Thinkstock

9. Basic Organizers
Copyright permission granted by
www.novamind.com.
Sample Mind
Map

10. How can I access graphic
organizers?
You can access many
types of graphic
organizers easily.
 Use paper, a pencil,
sticky notes, pencil
crayons, and markers
to make a graphic
organizer.
 Use computer
programs, such as
Microsoft Word
(“SmartArt”; text boxes
and arrows).
 Go to Inspiration
(www.inspiration.com)
for various free©2010 Thinkstock

11. How do I begin developing a
graphic organizer?
Your purpose
determines the kind of
organizer you need.
 How many ideas are
needed to examine
your topic?
 How many
categories are
required to organize
various levels of your
topic?
 Is your purpose to
describe or to
compare?

12. What steps do I follow to
develop a graphic organizer?
Assignment: Develop a
Mind Map of Favourite
Foods
My
favorite
foods
1. Write your main idea (My
Favourite Foods) in the
center of the page.
2. Identify general elements
(breakfast, lunch, dinner,
dessert) of your topic.
3. Identify specific elements
(waffles, pizza, seafood,
chocolate cake) of your
topic.
4. Use lines to connect
elements to the main idea.
5. Add visuals to enhance
your mind map.
Breakfa
st
Lunch
Supper
Dessert
Waffles
Pizza
Seafood
Chocolate
cake
Information is read, or added, easily as brainstorming continues!
©2010 Thinkstock

13. HOW DOES A GRAPHIC
ORGANIZER HELP ME
WRITE A PARAGRAPH?
Details in the mind map were organized
chronologically (first meal to the last)
and paragraph writing was easy!
I enjoy different kinds of food, but some are my
favourite! For breakfast, I love waffles with
whipped cream and strawberries. For lunch, I
love a good pizza loaded with toppings! For
supper, I love seafood, especially lobster and
scallops. Chocolate cake makes the perfect
dessert. These foods are high in calories, but I
love them all the same!
©2010 Thinkstock