write an expository essay using the graphic organizer you have produced

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Improving essay writing skills with effective graphic organizers.

Are you looking for a way to make your essay writing more organized and visually appealing? Look no further! In this article, we will explore the power of graphic organizers and how they can take your writing to the next level. With the help of these visual tools, you will be able to brainstorm ideas, structure your thoughts, and present your arguments in a clear and concise manner.

Graphic organizers are versatile tools that can be used in various stages of the writing process. Whether you are just starting to gather your thoughts or need a way to organize your research findings, these visual aids can make a world of difference. By visually representing your ideas, you can easily see the connections between different concepts and identify any gaps or weaknesses in your arguments. This allows you to refine your ideas and ensure that your essay flows smoothly from one point to another.

There are numerous types of graphic organizers that you can choose from, depending on the specific needs of your essay. For example, if you are working on a compare and contrast essay, a Venn diagram can help you analyze the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. On the other hand, if you are writing a persuasive essay, a T-chart or a flowchart can help you organize your arguments and counterarguments in a logical manner. The key is to select a graphic organizer that best suits your writing style and the structure of your essay.

In conclusion, by incorporating graphic organizers into your essay writing process, you can enhance your overall organization and clarity. These visual tools allow you to brainstorm ideas, structure your arguments, and spot any weaknesses in your reasoning. So why struggle with a messy and disorganized essay when you can use visual aids to make your writing more engaging and persuasive? Give graphic organizers a try and take your essay writing skills to new heights!

What is a Graphic Organizer?

A graphic organizer is a visual tool or diagram that helps organize and represent information or ideas. These tools are used to visually organize thoughts and concepts, making it easier to understand and remember information. Graphic organizers can be used in a variety of settings, such as education, business, and personal organization.

Graphic organizers come in many different forms, each designed to assist with a specific task or objective. Some common types of graphic organizers include mind maps, flowcharts, Venn diagrams, concept maps, and timelines. Each type of graphic organizer provides a unique way to visually represent relationships, connections, and hierarchies between ideas.

By using a graphic organizer, individuals can visually see how concepts are interconnected, helping them understand complex topics more effectively. These visual tools also help to engage both the left and right sides of the brain, allowing for more holistic thinking and improved understanding.

Graphic organizers can be especially beneficial for essay writing, as they help students brainstorm ideas, outline their arguments, and organize their thoughts before writing. By using a graphic organizer, students can ensure that their essay has a clear and logical structure, making it easier for readers to follow their arguments.

Overall, graphic organizers are powerful tools that can enhance learning and improve organization. Whether used in an educational or professional setting, graphic organizers can help individuals better understand, remember, and communicate information.

Benefits of Using Graphic Organizers

There are numerous advantages and benefits associated with the utilization of graphic organizers in various forms of writing. These visual tools provide a structured framework for organizing thoughts, ideas, and information, facilitating the creation of coherent and cohesive essays. By visually representing relationships and connections between concepts, graphic organizers help writers develop a clear understanding of the topic and enhance their critical thinking skills. Furthermore, these tools aid in the organization of information, making it easier for readers to follow the logic and flow of the essay.

One of the main benefits of using graphic organizers is their ability to improve the overall organization and structure of an essay. Through the use of visual hierarchies, such as outlines and concept maps, writers can arrange their ideas and arguments in a logical and sequential manner. This organization not only makes it easier for the writer to navigate their ideas, but it also helps the reader to comprehend and follow the main points being made.

In addition to improving organization, graphic organizers also enhance the clarity and coherence of an essay. By visually representing relationships and connections between ideas, writers can create a coherent flow of information that is easy for readers to understand. This is especially beneficial when presenting complex or abstract concepts, as it allows for a visual representation that can simplify understanding.

Another advantage of utilizing graphic organizers is their ability to promote critical thinking and analysis. By visually mapping out ideas and concepts, writers are able to see the relationships between different pieces of information, identify patterns, and generate new insights. This analytical thinking improves the depth and quality of the essay, as well as the writer’s ability to evaluate and synthesize information.

Furthermore, graphic organizers can also act as a memory aid, helping writers remember important information and ideas. By visually representing concepts and connections, writers can create a visual reference that helps reinforce their understanding and retention of the material. This can be particularly useful during the revision process, as it allows the writer to easily review and revise their essay.

In conclusion, the benefits of using graphic organizers for essay writing are numerous. These visual tools improve organization, clarity, and coherence, while also enhancing critical thinking skills and aiding in memory retention. By utilizing graphic organizers, writers can create stronger and more effective essays that are easy to understand and engage with.

Types of Graphic Organizers for Essay Writing

When it comes to crafting a well-structured and organized essay, using graphic organizers can greatly enhance the writing process. These visual tools help students to brainstorm ideas, categorize information, and create a logical flow within their essays. Furthermore, graphic organizers can be tailored to different types of essays, allowing students to choose the most suitable format for their writing task.

One common type of graphic organizer used for essay writing is the outline. This traditional format allows students to outline their main ideas and supporting details in a hierarchical structure. By using Roman numerals, capitalized letters, and Arabic numerals, students can easily see the relationship between different sections of their essay. The outline format is particularly useful for persuasive and expository essays, as it helps to clearly organize arguments and evidence.

Another type of graphic organizer that can be helpful for essay writing is the Venn diagram. This diagram consists of two or more overlapping circles, and it is often used to compare and contrast ideas or concepts. By labeling the circles with different aspects to be compared, students can easily identify similarities and differences between these aspects. The Venn diagram format is ideal for analytical essays, as it allows students to analyze and evaluate different perspectives or theories.

Flowcharts are also commonly used graphic organizers for essay writing. As the name suggests, flowcharts help to illustrate the logical flow of information within an essay. Starting with a central topic or thesis statement, students can then map out the main supporting ideas and subtopics that will be discussed in each paragraph. Flowcharts are particularly useful for narrative or descriptive essays, as they help to create a cohesive and coherent storyline.

In addition to these types, there are many other graphic organizers that can be used for essay writing, such as concept maps, timelines, and mind maps. Each of these formats has its own unique advantages and can be tailored to different types of essays and writing tasks. Ultimately, the key is to choose a graphic organizer that best suits your writing style and helps to organize your thoughts effectively. By utilizing these visual tools, students can enhance their essay writing skills and produce well-structured and compelling essays.

How to Choose the Right Graphic Organizer

When it comes to selecting the ideal graphic organizer for your essay writing, it’s crucial to consider various factors. The choice of a graphic organizer can greatly impact the organization and clarity of your thoughts, helping you to effectively convey your ideas to the reader.

1. Consider your essay topic and purpose:

Before choosing a graphic organizer, it’s important to understand the specific requirements and goals of your essay. Different topics and purposes may call for different types of organizers. For example, if you need to compare and contrast two ideas, a Venn diagram or a T-chart might be the most suitable choice. On the other hand, if you need to present a sequence of events or steps, a flowchart or a timeline can be more effective.

2. Analyze the relationship between your ideas:

Another key consideration when selecting a graphic organizer is the relationship between your ideas. Are they connected in a cause-and-effect manner? Are they grouped into categories? Are they organized chronologically? Understanding these connections will help you determine which type of graphic organizer can best represent and emphasize these relationships.

3. Choose a format that suits your preferences:

Graphic organizers come in various formats, including charts, diagrams, tables, and webs. Consider your personal preferences and learning style when selecting a format. If you prefer visual representations, a diagram or a web might be more appealing to you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more structured format, a table or a chart might be a better choice.

4. Evaluate the complexity of your ideas:

The complexity of your ideas will also influence your choice of a graphic organizer. If your ideas are simple and straightforward, a basic organizer with fewer sections might suffice. However, if your ideas are more complex and multifaceted, you might need a more advanced organizer with multiple layers or branches to effectively capture and organize your thoughts.

5. Experiment and revise as needed:

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different graphic organizers and revise your choice if necessary. It’s possible that the first organizer you select may not be the most effective for your specific essay. Be open to trying different options and making adjustments along the way to ensure that your chosen graphic organizer truly supports the purpose and content of your essay.

By considering these factors and being mindful of your specific essay requirements, you can choose the right graphic organizer that will enhance your essay writing process and facilitate a clear and organized presentation of your ideas.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Graphic Organizers

When it comes to composing an essay, the use of graphic organizers can greatly enhance the writing process. These visual tools provide a framework for organizing ideas, creating coherence, and ensuring that all aspects of the topic are covered. By following a step-by-step guide on how to use graphic organizers effectively, writers can streamline their essay writing process and produce well-structured, cohesive pieces of writing.

Here is a straightforward walkthrough of the process for utilizing graphic organizers:

• Select the appropriate type of graphic organizer: Depending on the purpose of the essay, choose a graphic organizer that best fits the needs of the writing task. There are various types available, such as Venn diagrams, flowcharts, and concept maps, each designed to aid in organizing different types of information.
• Identify the main ideas and subtopics: Before filling in the graphic organizer, brainstorm and identify the main ideas and subtopics that will be discussed in the essay. These could be arguments, points, or themes that support the main thesis of the essay.
• Fill in the graphic organizer: Start by inputting the main ideas and subtopics into the appropriate sections of the graphic organizer. This will create a visual representation of the essay’s structure and help ensure that all necessary components are included.
• Organize supporting details: Within each main idea or subtopic, outline the supporting details that will be used to develop and support the arguments or themes. Arrange these details in a logical order, either chronologically, by importance, or by any other relevant criteria.
• Add transitional phrases or sentences: To enhance the flow and coherence of the essay, include transitional phrases or sentences between different sections of the graphic organizer. These will serve as guides for the writer, making the connection between ideas explicit and seamless.
• Review and revise: After completing the graphic organizer, review the overall structure and content of the essay. Make any necessary revisions or adjustments to improve clarity, coherence, and effectiveness.
• Transfer the content to the essay: Once the graphic organizer is finalized and refined, use it as a guide to begin writing the essay. Refer to each section of the graphic organizer and expand upon the ideas and details, creating a well-structured and cohesive essay.

By following this step-by-step guide, writers can effectively utilize graphic organizers to organize their thoughts, develop their arguments, and create clear and coherent essays. These visual tools serve as valuable aids in the essay writing process, helping writers stay focused, organized, and on track. Whether writing a persuasive essay, a research paper, or a personal reflection, graphic organizers offer a structured framework for success.

Tips for Using Graphic Organizers Effectively

Enhancing the utility of visual aids in academic writing requires a proper understanding of how to effectively employ graphic organizers. By following a few key tips, students can harness the full potential of these tools, effectively organizing their thoughts and improving the clarity and coherence of their essays.

Firstly, it is important to select the most suitable type of graphic organizer for the task at hand. Whether it be a Venn diagram, a mind map, or a flowchart, choosing the appropriate organizer will depend on the specific purpose and content of the essay. Consider the relationships between different ideas, the sequence of information, or the need for categorization, and select the graphic organizer accordingly.

Once the appropriate graphic organizer has been chosen, it is essential to carefully plan and outline the essay using the tool. Start by identifying the main ideas or arguments that will be discussed and determine how they can be visually represented within the organizer. This will help establish a clear structure for the essay and ensure that the content is logical and well-organized.

Furthermore, it is important to use concise and meaningful labels within the graphic organizer. By using clear and descriptive labels for each section or branch, the visual representation becomes a helpful reference tool when writing the actual essay. This will also make it easier to identify any gaps in the logic or flow of ideas, allowing for adjustments and revisions before writing the final draft.

Another tip for using graphic organizers effectively is to consider adding supporting evidence or examples within the visual representation. This can be done by including additional branches or sections that provide relevant information or specific examples that support the main ideas. By incorporating evidence into the graphic organizer, students can ensure that they have a comprehensive overview of the supporting details they need to include in their essay.

Lastly, it is important to regularly revisit and revise the graphic organizer throughout the writing process. As ideas evolve and connections become clearer, the graphic organizer should be updated to reflect these changes. By constantly reviewing and refining the visual representation, students can maintain a coherent and cohesive essay structure and ensure that all important points are covered.

In conclusion, by selecting the appropriate graphic organizer, carefully planning and outlining the essay, using concise and meaningful labels, adding supporting evidence, and revising the organizer as needed, students can effectively utilize graphic organizers to improve their essay writing. These tips will help students stay organized, maintain clarity, and create well-structured essays that convey their ideas in a logical and coherent manner.

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Let’s face it.  Teaching students how to write an effective expository paragraph or essay is not for the faint of heart.  As with any difficult lesson, I tend to rely heavily on graphic organizers. There is something magical about organizing content visually.  The material becomes more accessible, which leads to an increase in understanding and successful results. Utilizing graphic organizers for expository writing is no exception.  The structure and format of the graphic organizers explained below will work wonders for student confidence and abilities in the expository writing arena.

Explanatory

Whether working with paper and pencil or digitally, it’s important that students have a place to organize their thoughts before diving into their rough drafts.  A graphic organizer can do just that. It will get the ball rolling in the right direction. When it comes to expository writing, students need an outline that will allow them to identify the topic with supporting details and concrete examples.  It is a simple, yet powerful start to any expository writing assignment.

Informative

The informative graphic organizer works well for responding to informational text.  Students are required to identify the main idea, support their choice with several reasons, and follow up with evidence or examples from the written work.  In most cases, identifying the main idea will be the hardest part. Once students have pinpointed the main idea, plugging in the rest of the information becomes much easier.  

Problem/Solution

When explained or represented visually, expressing a problem and solution becomes relatively easy to accomplish.  First, have students identify and clearly explain the problem. After explaining the problem, students should record several steps that can be taken to solve the problem.  Stating the problem and next steps will organically lead to a succinct solution. Requiring students to organize the information ahead of time ensures that their writing remains cohesive and easy to follow.   

Compare and Contrast

Comparing and contrasting two concepts or items can be done in several different ways.  Using a graphic organizer will assist students in figuring out how they will present the information in an orderly and concise format.  Students should be required to begin by identifying each item being compared. Following a brief introduction of the items or concepts, students will explain the similarities.  After thoroughly explaining the similarities, students move on to discuss the differences between the two items or concepts.

Cause and Effect

The initial step in writing about cause and effect is determining the order of presentation.  Will students be presenting several causes and the ultimate effect of those causes, or will students be identifying one cause that led to several different effects?  Once that has been determined, students can begin filling in their graphic organizer. The visual aspect of a cause and effect graphic organizer works extremely well for setting up an expository paragraph or essay.  

Descriptive

Describing a topic or text is no different than writing a summary.  There are many ways to tackle summary writing , but as with all of the graphic organizers mentioned above, clarity is essential.  The graphic organizer should assist students in identifying critical information and avoiding extraneous details. It is vital that students understand the importance of each detail leading back to the overarching topic.

Sequence of Events

Chronicling a sequence of events can serve as a great starting point for expository writing.  Embedding signal words within the graphic organizer will keep students on track and moving through the events in sequential order.  Students begin by identifying the general topic, and follow up with a detailed description of each subsequent step.

Starting the expository writing process with a graphic organizer will provide your students with a road map to their final destination.  It will set them up for success while stressing the importance of paragraph structure and organization.

Why reinvent the wheel? Click here to download all of the graphic organizers detailed above in printable, editable, and digital formats from Literacy in Focus on TpT.

Using Graphic Organizers for Writing Essays, Summaries and Research

Ask any student – essay writing is one of the most despised tasks of their educational career. Perhaps there is so much displeasure associated with the task because it’s perceived as too linear – there isn’t enough visual and creative appeal. But if you use graphic organizer for writing essays then you can make writing enjoyable – or at least less terrible.

Not only enjoyable but graphic organizers (or diagrams) can make the writing process a snap. They’ll help you think outside the box, draw conclusions you wouldn’t normally observe, and make the entire process faster and more efficient.

Why Use Graphic Organizers for Writing

The phrase “graphic organizer” is just a fancy way of saying “diagram” or “visual aid.” Basically, they are a visual representation of the information you’ve acquired in the research process. There are quite a few reasons why you should use them when writing essays or summaries.

• Helps you visualize your research and how elements connect with each other
• Enhance your essays, summaries and research papers with visual elements
• Track correlations between your thoughts, observations, facts or general ideas

When it comes to essay writing, the most common graphic organizers are webs, mind maps, and concept maps .

Using Webs for Brainstorming

Webbing is a great way to see how various topics are interrelated. This graphic organizer is particularly useful during the brainstorming step of the writing process.

A web can sometimes get a bit messy. Usually, there are lots of arrows to connect overlapping ideas. However, even with lines crisscrossing every which way, it is still a great way to visualize your thoughts. If you’re using an online diagramming software like Creately you can overcome some of this because we automatically arrange the object for you.

Once you’ve created a map to document all your ideas and establish connections, you can easily transition to other forms of diagramming to better organize the information.

For example if you’re writing a research paper about the food web of the Australian bushes you can start creating a food web diagram similar to the one below. This way you can easily visualize the web while writing the paper. This is a simple example but graphic organizers become even more important when the subject gets complex.

Although simple this example shows the importance of using graphic organizers for writing summaries. A comprehensive diagram pretty much does the summation for you.

Using Mind Maps as Graphic Organizers

Mind maps are a great way to depict a hierarchy. What is hierarchical organization ? The concept is simple: a singular topic dominates with each subsequent idea decreasing in importance.

Usually, the mind map starts with the thesis (or main idea) at the center.  From there, you can branch out with your supporting evidence.

Use this process to replace your traditional note taking technique – note cards, outlines, whatever. You’ll quickly realize a mind map is a great way to formulate the structure of your essay. The thing to note here is that the nature of the mind maps force you think about sub topics and how to organize your ideas. And once the ideas are organized writing the essay become very easy.

Above is a mind map of a research proposal. Click on it to see the full image or you can see the fully editable template via this link . As you can see in this mind map the difference areas of the research proposal is highlighted. Similarly when your writing the research paper you can use a mind map to break it down to sub topics. We have more mind map templates for you to get started.

Concept Maps

A concept map will help you visualize the connection between ideas. You can easily see cause and effect – how one concept leads to another. Often times, concept mapping includes the use of short words or phrases to depict the budding relationship between these concepts.

If you look closely you can see that its very similar to a mind map. But a concept maps gives more of a free reign compares to the rigid topic structure of a mind map. I’d say it’s the perfect graphic organizer for writing research papers where you have the license to explore.

By creating a concept map , you can also see how a broad subject can be narrowed down into specific ideas.  This is a great way to counter writers block.  Often, we look at the big picture and fail to see the specifics that lead to it.  Identifying contributing factors and supporting evidence is difficult. But with a concept map, you can easily see how the smaller parts add up to the whole.

Why Bother With Graphic Organizers?

If you already detest the writing process, adding another step might seem insane. However, there really are several advantages of using them.  If you haven’t already accepted the benefits of each individual diagram style, here are some more perks of graphic organizers in general:

• Quality essays are based on detail. No one is going to accept your opinions and reasoning just because you say so. You’ll need proof. And organizing that proof will require attention to detail. Graphic organizers can help you see that detail and how it contributes to the overall concept.
• Graphic organizers are flexible. You don’t need one of those giant pink erasers. You don’t need to restructure your outline. All you have to do is draw a few arrows and bam – the relationship has totally changed.
• No matter what you are writing about, a graphic organizer can help. They can be used to structure an essay on the Great Wall, theoretical physics, or Spanish speaking countries.
• If you write an outline, can you easily see how point A influences point X? Probably not. But if little thought bubble A is sitting out there all by itself, you can visualize the way it ties into point R, T and X.
• Some of us find it difficult to put our opinions, thoughts, and ideas into writing. However, communicating our feelings with little doodles and sketches is far less threatening.
• As a writer, our brain often feels like a 2-year-old’s toy box – a big jumbled mess. Taking that mess and putting it onto paper with some semblance of organization is challenging. Rather than trying to take your thoughts from total chaos to a perfectly structured list, just try to get them out of your brain and onto paper in the form of a diagram.
• A graphic organizer helps you establish validity and relevance. You can easily nix the ideas that don’t support or enhance your thesis.

The next time you are faced with a writing project, take a few minutes to explore the efficiency of graphic organizers. You can find a wealth of templates here.

Have you ever used a graphic organizer to structure an essay? How did it go? Do you have a diagram suggestion for the writing process that wasn’t mentioned here? Let us know!

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Efficient Essay Writing Using a Graphic Organizer: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction to Essay Writing with Graphic Organizers

Essay writing can often pose a significant challenge for students, especially at the high school level. National test scores reveal that only about one-quarter of students in grades 8 through 12 perform proficiently in writing, with a mere 1 percent of 12th-grade students capable of crafting sophisticated, well-organized essays. Additionally, it's surprising to note that over 80 percent of freshmen have never tackled a formal five-page paper. These statistics underscore the struggles many students face when it comes to academic writing.

Graphic organizers play a crucial role in simplifying the essay-writing process by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. They serve as visual frameworks that help students compartmentalize the essential elements of an academic paper. By utilizing graphic organizers, students can easily comprehend and organize their thoughts, leading to more coherent and structured compositions.

How a Graphic Organizer Simplifies the Process

A graphic organizer is essentially a visual tool that aids in brainstorming ideas, organizing information logically, and outlining content before diving into the actual writing process. Research has shown that graphic organizers are beneficial for enhancing writing skills by improving vocabulary, creating concept maps, highlighting key points, dividing content into sections, and facilitating prewriting activities.

These tools are particularly valuable for essay writing as they assist students in developing clear thesis statements, organizing supporting arguments effectively, and ensuring a cohesive flow throughout the essay. For instance, when working on a five-paragraph essay structure—which includes an introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs focusing on specific points or topics, and a concluding paragraph—a graphic organizer can provide a roadmap for structuring each section cohesively.

In education across various subject areas, graphic organizers have proven to be versatile tools that cater to different learning styles effectively. They not only aid in organizing thoughts but also provide visual representations of information that enhance comprehension and retention.

By incorporating graphic organizers into the essay-writing process, students can overcome the challenges associated with academic writing and develop essential skills for effective communication and expression.

Understanding the Basics of Essay Writing

Writing an essay is like constructing a building; it requires a solid foundation and a well-thought-out plan. Essay writing involves more than just putting words on paper; it's about structuring your ideas in a coherent and logical manner to communicate effectively with your readers.

The Structure of a Standard Essay

When embarking on an essay-writing journey, it's crucial to understand the fundamental structure that underpins a well-crafted piece. An essay typically consists of three main parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion. Each section plays a vital role in conveying your message clearly and persuasively.

Introduction, Body, and Conclusion

The introduction serves as the gateway to your essay, capturing the reader's attention and providing a roadmap for what lies ahead. It should include a hook to engage the audience, background information to set the context, and most importantly, a thesis statement that articulates the main argument of your essay.

Crafting compelling body paragraphs is where you delve into the heart of your topic. Each paragraph should focus on a single idea or argument supported by evidence and analysis. By organizing your thoughts cohesively within these paragraphs, you create a persuasive narrative that guides the reader through your reasoning.

Finally, the conclusion wraps up your essay by summarizing key points, restating the thesis in different words, and leaving the reader with a lasting impression. It's essential to end on a strong note that reinforces your main argument and provides closure to your discussion.

Crafting a Strong Thesis Statement

At the core of every well-structured essay lies a thesis statement , which acts as the central claim or argument you will explore throughout your writing. A strong thesis statement not only presents your position clearly but also sets the tone for the entire essay. It should be specific, concise, and debatable to spark interest and guide your content effectively.

The Importance of Organizing Your Thoughts

Organizing ideas logically in an essay is akin to creating a roadmap for both yourself as the writer and your readers. Just as travelers rely on maps to navigate unfamiliar terrain, readers depend on clear organization to follow your train of thought effortlessly.

Choosing an appropriate organizational pattern is paramount in maintaining reader interest and clarity throughout your essay. By structuring your content cohesively from introduction to conclusion, you establish connections between different sections while reinforcing the overarching theme or argument.

Effective organization not only aids in conveying information logically but also enhances reader comprehension by presenting ideas in a systematic manner. When thoughts flow seamlessly from one point to another, readers can grasp complex concepts more easily and engage with your content more meaningfully.

In essence, organization is not just about arranging paragraphs; it's about creating coherence and unity within your writing that allows ideas to unfold naturally. A well-organized essay benefits both you as the writer—by clarifying your thoughts—and your readers—by facilitating understanding and retention of key concepts.

The Power of the Graphic Organizer in Essay Writing

In the realm of academic writing, graphic organizers stand out as indispensable tools for students navigating the complexities of essay composition. These visual aids serve as guiding beacons, illuminating the path to structured and coherent essays that captivate readers.

What Is a Graphic Organizer?

A graphic organizer is a visual scaffold that transforms abstract ideas into tangible frameworks. By leveraging shapes, colors, and connecting lines, students can map out their thoughts, creating a blueprint for their essays. This process not only clarifies concepts but also enhances comprehension and retention of information.

One popular type of graphic organizer is the Five Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer , which divides the essay into distinct sections: introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This tool streamlines the writing process by prompting students to outline key points before delving into detailed explanations.

Different Types of Graphic Organizers for Essay Writing

The hamburger essay graphic organizer.

Imagine your essay as a delectable burger—the Hamburger Essay Graphic Organizer mirrors this analogy by breaking down your content into layers. The top bun represents the introduction, enticing readers with a hook; the juicy fillings symbolize your supporting arguments; and the bottom bun signifies the conclusion that leaves a lasting impression.

The Paragraph Essay Outline Graphic

For those embarking on paragraph-based essays, the Paragraph Essay Outline Graphic offers a structured approach to organizing ideas effectively. Each section corresponds to a paragraph, delineating topic sentences, supporting details, and transitions between thoughts. This visual aid ensures coherence and flow within each paragraph.

When considering graphic organizers for writing , it's essential to choose tools that align with your essay's structure and objectives. Whether crafting an argumentative piece or a narrative exposition, selecting the right graphic organizer can streamline your thought process and elevate your writing prowess.

Utilizing these organizational aids fosters clarity in expression while honing critical thinking skills essential for academic success. As students delve into English Language Arts assignments, incorporating graphic organizers becomes synonymous with mastering the art of persuasive communication through written discourse.

Educational Benefits of Graphic Organizers

Research underscores the educational benefits of integrating graphic organizers into writing instruction. These tools not only enhance brainstorming capabilities but also foster organization skills crucial for developing coherent essays. By visually representing information, graphic organizers cater to diverse learning styles and empower students to structure their ideas effectively.

Moreover, differentiated graphic organizers cater to individual student needs by providing tailored support in essay writing tasks. Whether tackling expository compositions or informative analyses, these tools serve as companions in navigating complex writing assignments with confidence.

In essence, embracing graphic organizers in English Language Arts education nurtures a generation of proficient writers equipped with essential skills for articulating ideas persuasively. Through color-coded schemes and interactive formats, these tools transform mundane writing tasks into engaging ventures that inspire creativity and critical thinking among students.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Graphic Organizer for Your Essay

Embarking on the journey of essay writing can be daunting, especially when faced with a blank page and a myriad of ideas swirling in your mind. This is where graphic organizers come to the rescue, serving as navigational tools that guide you through the intricate process of crafting a well-structured and coherent essay.

Selecting the Right Graphic Organizer

Before diving into the writing process, it's essential to choose the appropriate graphic organizer that aligns with your essay's type and purpose. Whether you are working on an expository piece or a persuasive argument, selecting a graphic organizer tailored to your needs can streamline your thought process and enhance the clarity of your writing.

Consider utilizing tools like the Opinion Essay Planning Organizer , which provides a structured framework for organizing opinions, supporting details, and counterarguments effectively. By selecting a graphic organizer that complements your essay topic and objectives, you set yourself up for success in articulating your ideas persuasively.

Filling in Your Graphic Organizer

From thesis to conclusion.

Once you've selected the right graphic organizer for your essay, it's time to populate it with essential elements that form the backbone of your composition. Begin by crafting a compelling thesis statement that encapsulates the main argument or claim you intend to explore in your essay. This serves as the guiding beacon that directs the flow of your writing towards a cohesive conclusion.

As Mrs. Lindquist aptly notes, filling out a graphic organizer while conducting research not only aids in organizing ideas but also serves as a roadmap during the writing process. By outlining key points from thesis to conclusion within your graphic organizer, you establish a clear trajectory for developing each section cohesively.

Organizing Your Supporting Points

Just as constructing a building requires sturdy pillars to uphold its structure, organizing supporting points in your essay is crucial for reinforcing your main argument. Utilize the sections within your graphic organizer to delineate supporting evidence, examples, and analysis that bolster each aspect of your thesis statement.

Hello Tennessee Teacher emphasizes how argument writing graphic organizers empower students to structure their thoughts systematically while incorporating evidence effectively. By populating each section of your graphic organizer with relevant supporting points, you create a robust foundation upon which to build persuasive arguments within your essay.

Translating Your Organizer into an Essay

As you fill out each section of your graphic organizer with meticulous detail and precision, you pave the way for seamlessly translating these organized thoughts into a coherent essay. Remember that every element within your graphic organizer—from introductory hooks to concluding summaries—plays a pivotal role in shaping the narrative flow of your writing.

Despite initial perceptions that using graphic organizers may consume additional time, empirical evidence suggests that investing effort in this prewriting stage ultimately saves time during actual composition. Personal narrative graphic organizers serve as invaluable tools for guiding students through narrative writing tasks by breaking down complex narratives into manageable segments without overwhelming them.

By translating insights gleaned from interactive worksheets and argumentative essay planners into tangible written content, students hone their ability to articulate ideas logically and persuasively. The transition from filling out structured diagrams to drafting comprehensive essays marks a significant milestone in developing proficient writing skills efficiently.

In essence, leveraging graphic organizers throughout the essay-writing process not only enhances organizational skills but also fosters critical thinking abilities essential for effective communication through written discourse.

Reflecting on the Essay Writing Process

As an educator deeply invested in enhancing students' writing skills, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of incorporating graphic organizers into the essay-writing process. These visual tools serve as invaluable assets that not only streamline the composition journey but also empower students to articulate their thoughts with clarity and precision.

The Benefits of Using a Graphic Organizer

In the words of Hello Tennessee Teacher , these argument writing graphic organizers provide students with a structured approach to organizing their ideas, opinions, and evidence findings. By breaking down complex essay tasks into manageable components, these tools enable students to navigate the intricacies of academic writing effectively. As students engage with graphic organizers, they develop essential skills in brainstorming, organizing information logically, and crafting coherent arguments—a testament to the educational benefits these tools offer.

Similarly, Mrs. Lindquist underscores the significance of graphic organizers in guiding students through expository and persuasive essays. By filling out these visual aids while conducting research, students gain a roadmap that directs them through each stage of the writing process. This hands-on approach not only fosters organization skills but also instills confidence in students as they transform their ideas into well-structured compositions.

The utilization of graphic organizers transcends mere academic support; it serves as a catalyst for fostering critical thinking and analytical skills among students. By encouraging learners to dissect complex topics into digestible components, graphic organizers prompt deeper engagement with content and facilitate a more profound understanding of key concepts.

In essence, integrating graphic organizers into essay writing cultivates a culture of strategic thinking and meticulous planning—a foundation upon which students can build their proficiency in written communication.

Tips for Effective Essay Writing

Start with a Strong Thesis : A compelling thesis statement serves as the cornerstone of your essay, guiding your arguments and shaping the narrative flow. Ensure your thesis is specific, debatable, and reflective of your main argument to captivate readers from the outset.

Organize Your Thoughts : Before diving into writing, take time to outline your ideas using a graphic organizer or structured framework. By mapping out key points and supporting evidence beforehand, you establish a cohesive structure that enhances readability and coherence.

Craft Cohesive Body Paragraphs : Each body paragraph should focus on a single idea or argument supported by relevant evidence. Ensure seamless transitions between paragraphs to maintain a logical progression of thought throughout your essay.

Utilize Transitional Phrases : Transition words and phrases act as signposts that guide readers through your essay's progression. Incorporate transitions like "furthermore," "however," or "in contrast" to connect ideas smoothly and enhance overall cohesion.

Revise and Edit Diligently : Once you've drafted your essay, allocate time for thorough revision and editing. Check for grammar errors, clarity of expression, consistency in argumentation, and adherence to formatting guidelines before finalizing your work.

Seek Feedback : Don't hesitate to seek feedback from peers or instructors on your essay drafts. External perspectives can offer valuable insights into areas for improvement and help refine your arguments for greater impact.

Embrace Revision as Growth : View revision not as a chore but as an opportunity for growth and refinement. Embrace constructive criticism as a means to enhance your writing skills and elevate the quality of your essays over time.

By incorporating these tips into your essay-writing practice alongside graphic organizer utilization, you equip yourself with essential tools for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers effectively.

Conclusion and Next Steps

As we conclude this comprehensive guide on efficient essay writing using a Graphic Organizer Bundle , it's essential to recap the key points that underscore the significance of incorporating visual tools in the essay composition process. Throughout our exploration, we have delved into the transformative impact of graphic organizers in simplifying complex tasks, organizing thoughts cohesively, and fostering critical thinking skills among students.

Recap of Key Points

Graphic Organizers Enhance Organization : By breaking down essay components into manageable sections, graphic organizers serve as navigational aids that guide students through the writing process effectively.

Thesis Statement Importance : Crafting a strong thesis statement is paramount in articulating the main argument concisely and setting the tone for the entire essay.

Structured Essay Components : Understanding the structure of an essay—introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion—provides a framework for conveying ideas logically and persuasively.

Educational Benefits : Research underscores the educational benefits of integrating graphic organizers into writing instruction, enhancing brainstorming capabilities and organization skills crucial for developing coherent essays.

Moving forward, it is imperative to encourage students to practice and explore diverse forms of essay writing with the aid of graphic organizers. The lack of practice in middle and high school settings often hinders students from honing their writing skills effectively. Experts emphasize that students must dedicate more time to crafting evidence-based essays to overcome proficiency struggles commonly observed in academic writing.

Encouragement to Practice and Explore

Incorporating expert insights into essay writing not only enriches content but also enhances the quality of written work significantly. Writers and scientists stress the importance of interviewing experts to gain valuable information that may not be readily available through traditional research methods. By seeking guidance from professionals in various fields, writers can elevate their essays by incorporating unique perspectives and nuanced arguments.

As students embark on their writing journeys, it is crucial to embrace practice as a means of refining their skills continually. Regular engagement with diverse forms of writing—from analytical essays to narrative compositions—fosters versatility and adaptability in expressing ideas effectively. Moreover, exploring different genres and styles broadens students' creative horizons while strengthening their ability to communicate persuasively through written discourse.

In essence, cultivating a culture of continuous learning and exploration in essay writing empowers students to transcend proficiency barriers and unlock their full potential as proficient writers. By embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and refinement, individuals can navigate complex writing tasks with confidence while honing essential skills essential for academic success.

About the Author : Quthor, powered by Quick Creator , is an AI writer that excels in creating high-quality articles from just a keyword or an idea. Leveraging Quick Creator 's cutting-edge writing engine, Quthor efficiently gathers up-to-date facts and data to produce engaging and informative content. The article you're reading? Crafted by Quthor, demonstrating its capability to produce compelling content. Experience the power of AI writing. Try Quick Creator for free at quickcreator.io and start creating with Quthor today!

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How to Use Graphic Organizers to Write Better Essays

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If you’re a student, there’s no way around the inevitable: You’re going to have to write essays. Lots of essays. In fact, the five-paragraph essay is so fundamental to the high school curriculum that it’s still used on the ACTs, and knowing how to recognize the organizational structure of essays will help you score higher on the SATs.

Even though it seems like a chore, knowing how to organize and write an essay can have a lasting effect on your life, from getting into a better college to scoring a better job to performing better in that job long after your high school days are over.

Here’s a secret: Using graphic organizers for writing essays can help you write better essays faster. (And don’t count yourself out if you’re an educator—you can offer these tools to help your students succeed.) We’ll show you exactly how to do it.

Why use graphic organizers

When ACT graders or teachers are looking your essay, they’re looking for very specific criteria; essentially, they’re looking at how well you’ve organized your thoughts. Many students don’t take the time to outline their essay structure before writing, and that always means a lower score on a test and a lower grade on the essay in class.

Using a writing template can feel like an unnecessary step in an already complicated process. If you need extra motivation to implement these organizers into your writing routine, consider all of their benefits. Graphic organizers can help you:

• Save time by showing you where each piece of the essay “lives.”
• Have more productive brainstorming sessions, either by yourself or with a group.
• Make connections between ideas and create a more cohesive argument.
• Pinpoint holes in your arguments and either adjust the thesis or find supporting statements.
• Keep track of your research.
• Organize your thoughts and come to interesting, more compelling conclusions.
• Stay in the right direction when you feel lost in a sea of words.
• Manage anxiety by converting the fear of a blank assignment into an action plan with a clear map.

With all those benefits, it’s hard to ignore how useful and vital graphic organizers are to writing. And once you’ve become adept at organizing your thoughts for something like a school essay, you’ll find that skill carries with you throughout your life, whether you’re trying to become a more intelligent debater to negotiate prices. It goes beyond just the essay to becoming a better thinker. And it starts with a simple template.

We’ll walk you through several use cases for graphic organizers and provide templates for you to download and fill in when you’re ready to write.

Brainstorming graphic organizers

Brainstorming is important, not only to come up with ideas for topics but to determine what information you need to include in the essay once you’ve determined your topic. Though many think of brainstorming as just freeflow thinking, brainstorming is most productive when you work within specific parameters.

That’s why essay brainstorming graphic organizers are useful, whether you’re using one to brainstorm on your own or you’re working with a group.

In Lucidchart, our mind map shapes and templates double as brainstorming graphic organizers. Start with an essay prompt as your central shape and then fill in the shapes that branch off your prompt with topic ideas. Alternatively, you can add your selected topic to the center and start brainstorming the different ideas you need to cover in your paper.

When the template is filled in, you’ll have a clear starting point for your essay or research paper.

Research paper graphic organizers

Nothing paralyzes students with fear quite like a research paper. These long-form papers require—as the name implies—quite a bit of research, and their purpose is to teach students how to look for valid sources to support their arguments.

But keeping track of all those sources and tying them into your argument can be tricky. That’s where a research paper graphic organizer can be a student’s greatest ally.

This template lays out the writing process itself. After you come up with a general topic, like “the disappearance of honey bees,” fill in the “Research Paper Topic” box.

Then, start looking for reputable sources (Wikipedia doesn’t count) and use the five sources boxes to hold the most relevant quotes and statistics you find. Using those quotes and statistics, you can then fill out a thesis statement that is supported by the research.

Then, you’ll be able to focus your paragraphs on a single topic each that supports the thesis statement and your overarching argument. After you’ve filled out the template, the backbone of the research paper is complete: All that’s left to do is fill in the spaces between sources and arguments.

5-paragraph essay graphic organizer

When it comes to writing the five-paragraph essay, writing diagrams are key. By using graphic organizers for writing, you’re no longer staring at a giant blank piece of paper with no idea how or where to begin. Your graphic organizer is your map.

Although using writing diagrams may seem time-consuming, the fact is that taking the time to fill a graphic organizer in before writing actually saves time. If there’s a problem with the argument, it will show up on the diagram, or if there’s not enough evidence to support your argument, you’ll know before you’ve wasted time writing the paper. And, as we said before, even if your writing is terrible, if your argument is sound, you’ll still score a decent grade.

Try this 5-paragraph essay template to get you started.

Don’t feel pressured to come up with a compelling title right away. Instead, it’s more important that you come up with a thesis statement that can be supported by three solid arguments. Fill in that thesis statement and your arguments. Then, for each argument, figure out three supporting details to support your case.

That’s it! You’ve got the most essential parts of your 5-paragraph essay completed.

Now, come up with an introduction that sets the stage for your argument and a conclusion that wraps up and restates your thesis and supporting arguments in a compelling way. Now you have a solid plan for your paper and can approach it with confidence.

If you’d like a more linear graphic that exactly follows the structure of the 5-paragraph, use the writing template below and follow the same process.

Visuals, such as graphic organizers for writing, can help you better understand concepts, think creatively, and collaborate with your classmates—and there are plenty of other templates where these came from.

Lucidchart offers hundreds of templates to help you through your studies, including timelines, Venn diagrams, word maps, and more. Sign up for Lucidchart and upgrade to an Educational account for free.

Resources for teachers

Providing graphic resources to students is essential; after all, many of your students will be visual learners, so while you may beautifully explain how the process works, there will be some who won’t understand until they see a template of the essay itself.

Lucidchart has many resources for teachers, from lesson plans to writing templates. While you’re teaching your students how to write essays or research papers, it’s useful to print out the templates and fill them out together (even using a completed template as a separate assignment with a separate grade) so that your students can get a feel for properly filling out graphic organizers before attempting it on their own.

About Lucidchart

Lucidchart, a cloud-based intelligent diagramming application, is a core component of Lucid Software's Visual Collaboration Suite. This intuitive, cloud-based solution empowers teams to collaborate in real-time to build flowcharts, mockups, UML diagrams, customer journey maps, and more. Lucidchart propels teams forward to build the future faster. Lucid is proud to serve top businesses around the world, including customers such as Google, GE, and NBC Universal, and 99% of the Fortune 500. Lucid partners with industry leaders, including Google, Atlassian, and Microsoft. Since its founding, Lucid has received numerous awards for its products, business, and workplace culture. For more information, visit lucidchart.com.

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How to Write an Expository Essay | Structure, Tips & Examples

Published on July 14, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

“Expository” means “intended to explain or describe something.” An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a particular topic, process, or set of ideas. It doesn’t set out to prove a point, just to give a balanced view of its subject matter.

Expository essays are usually short assignments intended to test your composition skills or your understanding of a subject. They tend to involve less research and original arguments than argumentative essays .

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Table of contents

When should you write an expository essay, how to approach an expository essay, introducing your essay, writing the body paragraphs, concluding your essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about expository essays.

In school and university, you might have to write expository essays as in-class exercises, exam questions, or coursework assignments.

Sometimes it won’t be directly stated that the assignment is an expository essay, but there are certain keywords that imply expository writing is required. Consider the prompts below.

The word “explain” here is the clue: An essay responding to this prompt should provide an explanation of this historical process—not necessarily an original argument about it.

Sometimes you’ll be asked to define a particular term or concept. This means more than just copying down the dictionary definition; you’ll be expected to explore different ideas surrounding the term, as this prompt emphasizes.

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An expository essay should take an objective approach: It isn’t about your personal opinions or experiences. Instead, your goal is to provide an informative and balanced explanation of your topic. Avoid using the first or second person (“I” or “you”).

The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It’s worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline .

A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Like all essays, an expository essay begins with an introduction . This serves to hook the reader’s interest, briefly introduce your topic, and provide a thesis statement summarizing what you’re going to say about it.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

The body of your essay is where you cover your topic in depth. It often consists of three paragraphs, but may be more for a longer essay. This is where you present the details of the process, idea or topic you’re explaining.

It’s important to make sure each paragraph covers its own clearly defined topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Different topics (all related to the overall subject matter of the essay) should be presented in a logical order, with clear transitions between paragraphs.

Hover over different parts of the example paragraph below to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

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The conclusion of an expository essay serves to summarize the topic under discussion. It should not present any new information or evidence, but should instead focus on reinforcing the points made so far. Essentially, your conclusion is there to round off the essay in an engaging way.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a conclusion works.

The invention of the printing press was important not only in terms of its immediate cultural and economic effects, but also in terms of its major impact on politics and religion across Europe. In the century following the invention of the printing press, the relatively stationary intellectual atmosphere of the Middle Ages gave way to the social upheavals of the Reformation and the Renaissance. A single technological innovation had contributed to the total reshaping of the continent.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An expository essay is a broad form that varies in length according to the scope of the assignment.

Expository essays are often assigned as a writing exercise or as part of an exam, in which case a five-paragraph essay of around 800 words may be appropriate.

You’ll usually be given guidelines regarding length; if you’re not sure, ask.

An expository essay is a common assignment in high-school and university composition classes. It might be assigned as coursework, in class, or as part of an exam.

Sometimes you might not be told explicitly to write an expository essay. Look out for prompts containing keywords like “explain” and “define.” An expository essay is usually the right response to these prompts.

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

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Use Outlines, Notetaking, Graphic Organizers, Lists (English I Writing)

Introduction

Getting ready to write a paper is like building the steel frame for a building. First, you need to choose your materials by generating ideas and questions as you did in the previous lesson. Next, you need to integrate your materials to build a structure. Whether writing an essay or a short story, nonfiction or fiction, you need a plan. Before you get started, however, let's take some time to review what you accomplished in the previous lesson. So far, you (1) determined your purpose and audience and (2) developed a topic by brainstorming ideas.

In this lesson, you will use the prewriting strategies of note-taking, graphic organizers, outlines, and lists to help you evaluate and organize your ideas for either an expository essay  or a short story . There are two main reasons to use prewriting strategies.

First, they make a paper easier to write because prewriting strategies allow you to plan the organization and flow. Being organized allows you to focus on separate, shorter sections one at a time and feel confident that what you are writing will fit into the story or essay as a whole. This means that you will be less likely to wander off topic. You will also be able to evaluate what works and what doesn't and revise accordingly.

Second, your writing will be more reader friendly. As a writer, your ultimate goal should be to produce clear, informative, and interesting writing that engages your target audience.

Images used in this section: Source: Easi-edge safety barriers-geograph.org.uk-540015, Steve F, Wikimedia

Taking Good Notes

Let’s begin by finding out what you know and what you don’t know about the expository essay topic “The Great Texas Drought of 2011.” Several strategies can help you to figure out this information. The first strategy you will learn about is note-taking, something you have probably done in your classes. However, the Cornell system of note-taking, which you will learn, is a popular and effective note-taking method that may be new or different from your past experiences. This strategy isn’t the only way to take notes, but in this lesson, it’s the one we will use.

No matter what method you use to take notes, you need evidence from magazine or newspaper articles, reference books, websites, or other reliable sources. You might also choose to include personal anecdotes or conversations and interviews that you conducted with weather experts or people who experienced “The Great Texas Drought of 2011” firsthand.

Cornell Notes

To use the Cornell method of taking notes, you need to set up your notebook. You can use individual sheets of paper, but when possible, use a notebook. It will keep your notes together and in order. To begin setting up your notebook, follow these steps:

• If your notebook paper doesn’t include a line at the top, draw one as shown in the example below.
• Draw a dark horizontal line about six lines or two inches from the bottom of the page.
• Draw a dark vertical line about three inches from the left side of your notebook paper. Start at the top and stop at the bottom horizontal line you drew in the previous step.
• Write the name of the course, the title of the assignment, and the date on the top line of the page.

Note: We have created space for three main ideas in the example below, but you may have more or fewer for different topics.

Course: Title: Date Main Idea 1   Notes about Main Idea 1   Main Idea 2   Notes about Main Idea 2   Main Idea 3   Notes about Main Idea 3   It will also be helpful to keep these guidelines in mind: Use the column on the left to write main ideas. Use the column on the right to write notes. Skip a line between ideas and topics so they don’t get mixed up. Try not to use complete sentences; they take up a lot of space. Write a brief summary of the main ideas in the bottom section. Once you’re finished taking notes about the source material, check that what you have written makes sense to you. Let’s look at an example of how to use Cornell note-taking for writing an expository essay with the topic “The Great Texas Drought of 2011.” Click the link to download the Cornell Notes template . Keep it open to take notes on the three sources you are about to read. Pretend that you found these sources while conducting preliminary research on your topic: a news video, a photographic slide show, and a newspaper article. Watch this video segment about the drought from the previous lesson called “Generate Ideas and Questions.” For this first source, we listed the main ideas for you, but feel free to use the Cornell Notes handout to take notes about supporting details or other ideas that interest you in this video. The main ideas from the video segment are as follows: 2011 drought may become long-term History-making drought that people will remember for a long time Every major Texas heat record was broken (including hottest summer ever, hottest month ever, hottest August temperature, most 90- and 100-degree days). Cause of heat: Dry soil leads to higher temperatures Cause of drought: Two years of La Niña In 150 years of record-keeping, Austin has never had a drier year. Texas Agriculture: worst losses in history, totaling five billion Climatologist: drought could last until 2020, similar to 1950s drought. Other scientists suggest that we can’t accurately predict a long-term drought and can expect rainy periods within a long drought. Take a look at the photographic montage about the drought. When you’re finished, use the Cornell Notes handout to write down the main ideas, supporting details, and anything else you found interesting. Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Photostream, Flickr. Finally, read this newspaper article about the drought. When you’re finished, use the Cornell Notes handout to write down the main ideas, supporting details, and anything else you found interesting. AUSTIN, Tex. SOMETHING odd happened here last week. It rained. But the relief, an answer to desperate prayers, is likely to be short-lived. The drought that has gripped much of Texas since the fall of 2010 shows few signs of abating soon. The latest forecasts say that parched West and South Texas will remain dry, and that the state is likely to see above-average temperatures this spring, increasing evaporation from already strained reservoirs. The conditions could lead to severe water restrictions in some parts of the state. The implications have finally sunk in among lawmakers and business leaders here, who like to boast about the economic appeal of Texas’s low taxes and relaxed regulatory environment: no water equals no business. In a state fabled for its everything-is-bigger mentality, the idea of conserving resources is beginning to take hold. They are even turning sewage into drinking water. —New York Times Now that you have read and created notes for all three sources using the Cornell Notes handout, examine the image below to see how another student used Cornell Notes to collect information from the three sources. When you find sources you plan to use in your essay, don’t forget to write down the authors, titles, locations, website addresses, journal names, dates published and any other important bibliographic information.This documentation will be important for locating the sources later and for listing them in the bibliography or references section of your essay. For example, we wrote the information about the three sources above on the back of our notes so that this documentation wasn’t lost. To see the kinds of information we collected, review the sources below: Images used in this section: Source: Cracked Lake, crowt59, Flickr Dust Bowl 1935, MyEyeSees, Flickr Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife, Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Photostream, Flickr Source: Handwritten notes, IPSI Source: Resources list, IPSI Using Graphic Organizers In addition to Cornell Notes, graphic organizers are another effective method for arranging your ideas. Graphic organizers are also called visual maps, mind maps, and visual organizers. The information that you include in them can be identical to the information you gather when taking notes, except that the information is organized visually. Notice the way the vegetables are arranged in the photograph below. Each type of vegetable is grouped—carrots one place, lettuces another, and so on. This picture is a visual organizer in a sense because it visually arranges the vegetables. In this section, you will learn how to visually arrange information for the topic “The Great Texas Drought of 2011.” One way to organize ideas for an essay is to use grouping—also known as mind mapping and concept webbing . These terms refer to ways of relating ideas to each other. Study the example below. Do you see how the categories are organized? The subject, “The Great Texas Drought of 2011,” appears in the largest oval. We know this text is the subject or topic because every other oval connects to it either directly or indirectly. The main ideas appear in the blue ovals: “One of the worst in Texas history” and “May be the start of a longer drought.” These ovals connect directly to the subject. The supporting details appear in the red ovals: “5 billion agricultural dollars,” “All major heat records broken,” and “Could last until 2020.” These details connect to the two main ideas. Study the relationships in the graphic organizer below. Decide whether each idea should be the subject, a main idea, or a supporting detail. When you have an answer in mind, drag and drop the idea into the correct oval. After organizing our notes in a graphic organizer, let’s create a working outline. Did you notice that the structure of the two graphic organizers in this section created a visual outline? For example, the information from the first graphic organizer could be used to create a working, text-only outline that looks like this: The Great Texas Drought of 2011 One of the worst in Texas history All major heat records broken Five billion agricultural dollars lost in Texas May be the start of a longer drought Could last until 2020 You could have created the same outline using the topic, main ideas, and supporting details from your Cornell Notes page. It doesn’t matter whether you use notes or a graphic organizer to create an outline as long as the working outline helps you write the first draft of your paper. While you are writing the first draft, you may want to revise, change how ideas are arranged, or add new information. You can change your working outline in each and every instance. Who knows? Even your thesis may change! That’s why this outline is called a “working” outline and not a “formal” or “final” outline; it can be revised over and over again. In fact, it’s important not to commit to a detailed plan that will discourage changes during the drafting process. You can develop a formal outline to serve as a checklist for logic, coherence, and unity in your paper after you finish writing the first draft. Images used in this section: Source: Veggies, Calliope, Wikimedia Source: Blowing Sand on Lakeshore, TexasEagle, Flickr Making Lists In this lesson, you have learned how to use note-taking, graphic organizers, and working outlines to plan an expository essay about “The Great Texas Drought of 2011.” Suppose your teacher asks you to write a short story about your experiences during the drought. In the second and third sections of this lesson, you collected factual information about the drought, but let’s think about what you will need to write a short story. For starters, your story can be set in the past, the present, or the future. Since it’s fictional, you can include colorful characters and dialogue. You can also paint your own picture of the drought by using personal details in the writing. One way to develop ideas for your story is to make lists. People organize their daily lives using to-do lists, grocery lists, and schedules. For this lesson, we will focus on listing as a prewriting strategy. Listing is an important part of the writing process because it can help you generate and organize ideas. One list-making method that some writers find helpful is to answer the Who , What , Where , When , Why , and How of your short story. Answering these questions can guide your thinking and note-taking. Because you are writing a short story, remember to follow the guidelines used in the short story writing process. These guidelines were covered in the previous lesson, “Generate Ideas and Questions,” but let’s review them. Typically, a short story includes these elements: a beginning , middle , and an ending . If this sounds simple—almost too simple—you are right; there is more to it. Other lessons in the Writing Strand cover literary devices that authors use to vary this structure. For this lesson, however, you will use these basic parts of a short story: The beginning, or introduction, is where the characters and the setting are presented; the explanation of the plot or exposition occurs in the beginning. The middle includes actions or events in which the conflict of the story is exposed; rising action and the climax —or the turning point of the story—both occur in the middle. The falling action —where the conflict begins to be resolved—also occurs in the middle. The ending can also be referred to as the denouement ; the conflict is resolved and the action comes to a close in the ending. This diagram illustrates the three parts of a short story. You should be ready to write your story! In the future, when your teacher assigns an essay or short story, you will have strategies to organize your ideas. Using your notes, make a list of the strategies mentioned in this lesson. When you are finished, check your understanding. Check Your Understanding Sample response: Cornell notes, outlines, graphic organizers, and lists --> Images used in this section: Source: Drought & MD Farming - Hurlock, MD, Step It Up 2000, Flickr “ Drought of 2011 was one for the books .” KXAN. YouTube, 3:22. Posted October 17, 2011. //www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsIan4b5f_c. Galbraith, Kate. “ Getting Serious About a Texas-Size Drought .” The New York Times , April 6, 2013. //www.nytimes.com/2013/04/07/sunday-review/getting-serious-about-a-texas-size-drought.html?_r=0 Texas Parks and Wildlife. Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Photostream, Flickr. Accessed January 5, 2012. //www.flickr.com/photos/texasparkswildlife/sets/ . Copy and paste the link code above. Related Items Free Editable Graphic Organizer for Writing Examples A graphic organizer for writing is a teaching and learning tool used for creative writing, comprehension, and literary activities. It uses both text and graphics to make reading comprehension and creative writing more manageable. 1. What is a Graphic Organizer for Writing A graphic organizer for writing is a teaching and learning tool used for creative writing, comprehension, and literary activities. Graphic organizers help students to organize information and ideas to make them easy to understand and comprehend. Graphic organizers use both visuals and text to show relationships and connections between the flow of events, concepts, and facts. Graphic organizers have many benefits, for example Graphic organizers for writing help visualize and present information and ideas by breaking down complex text and ideas into smaller chunks. Opinion writing graphic organizers help students participate in the learning process through a better understanding of the text. Develop cognitive skills required for creative writing and comprehension, including brainstorming, critical thinking, classification and prioritizing content, idea presentation and categorization, etc. Help connect and make relationships between different aspects of information. Graphic organizers for writing also develop skills for note-taking, listing down essential points, analyzing information, and picking up critical issues. 2. The Graphic Organizers for Writing Examples The following list gives you ideas of different types of graphic organizers for writing and also for opinion writing graphic organizers. You can use them in suitable conditions according to your requirements. Different graphic organizers can be used in various grade levels depending on students' skill levels and the course requirements. These organizers are suitable for book clubs and personal reading and writing endeavors too. Let's have a look at the examples for a better understanding. Example 1: Opinion Writing Graphic Organizer Opinion writing graphic organizer and planner is a powerful tool for opinion writing. It has the topic and both the favorable opinion and also the opposing opinion. Now, the students need to ponder on both opinions and provide reasons along with supporting information. In the end, they describe their opinion and evidence in more detail and propose an action course. It is a comprehensive document that enables the kids to think on both sides of opinion and understand the underlying reasoning without bias. Example 2: Persuasive Writing Graphic Organizer This opinion writing graphic organizer is also a comprehensive and detailed document that uses colors and graphics to add attraction for kids. It is a perfect template for kids to analyze a topic and present their thoughts in a precise yet well-supported manner. The organizer needs students to fill in their opinion and topic sentences supported by three persuasive details. This organizer is based on the divide and conquer strategy. The enormous task of persuasive writing is broken down into small manageable pieces. Example 3: Writing a Paragraph Graphic Organizer This PowerPoint template is a compact graphic organizer for writing. It is more suitable for young students who are just starting their writing journey. It is based on the topic of holidays. It gives four pointers to the writer to generate and present their ideas for writing. The pointers are; who do I go with? Why do I like holidays? Where should I go? And What do I like to do? The lower part is for writing the paragraph. Once the students answer all these questions, they can develop a well-structured piece of writing. Example 4: Hamburger Writing Graphic Organizer A hamburger writing graphic organizer is a visual tool for the organization of ideas while writing a creative piece. It has a place for the title of the writing, and later the rest of the blocks can be used for describing different ideas related to the topic. Small and separate blocks allow better organization of information and may result in a more defined structure. It can also be used to supplement reading exercises when the reading material is long and needs more than one session. Each block can be used in one session, and at the end of the activity, the complete structure is formed. This way, students can connect their new knowledge with the previously acquired knowledge. Example 5: Informative Writing Graphic Organizer This informative writing graphic organizer supports the students in structuring their creative writing through guidelines. It divides the complete body of the topic into three main parts. ' Introduce the topic Here, the student will introduce the main topic. The instructions are about grabbing the audience's attention through an interesting fact, question, or a quote. Develop the topic This is the most detailed part of creative writing. The students will develop facts to support the main idea. Initially, the writer may even list the supporting vocabulary terms and definitions. Write a conclusion Last but not least, the conclusion must contain the gist of the whole write-up in a precise and focused manner. Example 6: Argumentative Writing Graphic Organizer The first paragraph of this Argumentative writing organizer contains a brief explanation of your topic and some background information. The second part is about the reasons and supporting details. With each reason, you will provide evidence to support the claims. The exciting part is to give counterclaims and provide facts or examples to refute them. The template ends with the conclusion, where you will also call for action. This is a template of an opinion writing graphic organizer. Source: EdrawMax Online Example 7: Details Hamburger Writing Graphic Organizer This is a graphic organizer for writing that is more suitable for the younger lot. It asks some questions related to the topic of writing exercises. The students will answer these questions to help them brainstorm and connect their information pieces, which can later be used for creative writing. The first part is about visualizing, and the following questions are who? Why? What? Feelings? Where? When? And finally, they will discuss more details. Example 8: Graphic Organizer for Writing an Essay This graphic organizer is a very detailed essay writing aide. It consists of eight pages, with each page in a particular format. The main parts of the organizer presented in rainbow colors are Topic and planning Introduction Main ideas 1, 2, 3 Final Draft Example 9: Writing Process Graphic Organizer The writing process graphic organizer concisely summarized the complete writing and reading process very effectively on one screen. According to this organizer, there are three stages of the reading process, i.e., preactive, interactive, and reactive. Writing exercise has five steps, i.e., prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Further details of all stages are also included in the organizer. Example 10: Oreo Opinion Writing Graphic Organizer This graphic organizer for writing uses a very interesting acronym for students. It says the OREO acronym can be used for writing opinion pieces. O : Opinion about a topic R : Reason supporting the opinion E : Example supporting the opinion O : opinion restatement in conclusion. Example 11: Writing A Summary Graphic Organizer This graphic organizer for writing is specifically for summary writing. Students sometimes face difficulty when they cannot provide a complete summary because of the length of the text and either miss essential points or make it too long. This organizer helps them organize their thoughts and focus on the most critical details coherently. Example 12: Graphic Organizer for Expository Writing The graphic organizer for expository writing includes the topic in the center, and the write-up is divided into sub-topics resulting in separate paragraphs. The purpose of an expository essay is to present a balanced, objective description of a topic without proving a point or personal opinion. It allows for a clear and logical explanation of complex information. Example 13: Graphic Organizer for Nonfiction Writing This graphic organizer for nonfiction writing guides the students through the process by helping them to write the main idea first, followed by three key details. This is like a part of the planning process. The last feature allows students to take the critical information one by one and then develop a comprehensive piece of writing. Example 14: Letter Writing Graphic Organizer In the world of SMS and WhatsApp, this letter-writing graphic organizer teaches the classical skill of writing letters. It is divided into main parts of the letter so that students know where they need to put what details. The use of graphics makes it attractive. Example 15: Narrative Writing Graphic Organizer One of the narrative writing graphic organizers is like this. It has a format that is similar to a flowchart. The first box is the title box. After it, there is the box for the settings or characters of the story. The next box consists of the problem of the story. Then, there is the space for writing feelings which the reader gets after reading the story. After the feelings box, there are three subsections that illustrate the story into three events. The last box is for writing the resolution or ending of the story. This graphic organizer will enhance the thinking and writing skills of the students. They will be able to understand the stories easily and can analyze them on their own. Example 16: Story Writing Graphic Organizer The starting includes the beginning of the story that is the characters and setting of the story. Then three boxes represent three events that happened in the story. The specific details for each event will be written under each of the respective boxes. The first event will tell what happened at the beginning of the story. The subsequent events will be in the second box. The third box will describe the final events of the story. At last, there is one box for writing the end of the story, what happened as a result. 3. Online Graphic Organizer for Writing Maker Making graphic organizers in word processing and presentation software has been a norm for a long time. Fortunately, we have access to dedicated drawing tools available online for creating different types of graphic organizers quickly and more efficiently. One such example is EdrawMax Online that can be used online, and its downloadable version is also available. You can use it for graphic organizers for writing along with 280+ different types of other drawings. The cherry on top is their vast library of templates available at templates gallery . You can use the templates right away and can also customize them according to your requirements. 4. Key Takeaways Learning should not be a stressful practice for both the students and teachers. Using tools in the classes such as graphic organizers for writing allow both the stakeholders to focus on the positive outcomes and the learning journey rather than the logistics of carrying out the lesson. Using an online drawing tool makes the process even more accessible and saves a lot of time and effort. You can find out more graphic organizer examples in the Template Gallery. Related Articles Link to facebook Link to linkedin Link to twitter Link to youtube Writing Tips How to Write an Expository Essay 4-minute read 29th March 2020 An expository essay explains something. This means investigating an idea, looking at evidence, coming to a conclusion, and explaining your thinking. But how do you write a strong expository essay? Our top tips include: Read the essay prompt carefully and using it to guide your research. Come up with a thesis statement (i.e., a position that you’ll explain). Plan the structure of your essay before you start writing. Once you have a first draft, revise and proofread to make sure it is perfect. For more advice on how this works, check out the guide below. 1. Read Your Essay Prompt Most expository essay prompts will ask you to do one of the following: Define and explain a concept or theory. Compare and contrast two ideas. Examine a problem and propose a solution. Describe a cause and effect relationship. Explain a step-by-step process. Analyze a broad subject and classify examples into groups. When you’ve been set an expository assignment, then, check the prompt or question carefully. You can use the phrasing to guide your research. You may also need to select a topic to write about. If so, try to think of something: You already know at least something about. You find interesting enough to research. That fits with the instructions in the essay prompt (e.g., if you’ve been asked to contrast two things, you’ll need a topic that allows for a comparison). That is narrow enough to discuss in one essay. Start by brainstorming topics, then narrow it down to one or two ideas. 2. Come Up with a Thesis Statement Once you have a topic, you’ll need to do some research and develop a thesis statement. This is the proposition or position that you’ll explain in your essay. Your thesis statement should be something you can back up with evidence and facts, as well as something that answers the question in your essay prompt. Keep in mind, too, that an expository essay should present a balanced account of the facts available, not personal opinions. For instance, we’ve come up with thesis statements for a few example essay prompts: When you’ve selected a thesis, make sure you’ve got evidence to back it up! This may mean doing a little more research before you start writing. Find this useful? Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox. 3. Structuring an Expository Essay The exact length and content of your essay will depend on the topic and prompt. However, most expository essays follow a similar basic structure: Introduction – A paragraph where you introduce the essay topic and your thesis statement (i.e., the issue or idea you will explain in the essay). Main Body – A series of short paragraphs in which you explain your thesis statement, providing evidence and arguments to support each point. Conclusion – A final paragraph where you restate your thesis and how your evidence supports this. Try not to introduce any new information here (if it’s important, it should go in the main body). References – If required, include a bibliography of sources you’ve used. Before you start writing, then, create an essay outline with the structure above in mind and plan what each paragraph will say. 4. Editing and Proofreading When you have a first draft, take a break and re-read it. Now comes the redrafting ! This is where you go back over your essay and look for areas to improve. Do you provide enough evidence? Is your argument clear? Even a few tweaks may increase your mark, so make sure to redraft at least once! Finally, make sure to have your essay proofread before you submit it for marking. This will ensure your writing is error free and easy to read, giving you an even better chance of getting the grades you deserve. Share this article: Post A New Comment Got content that needs a quick turnaround? Let us polish your work. Explore our editorial business services. 9-minute read How to Use Infographics to Boost Your Presentation Is your content getting noticed? Capturing and maintaining an audience’s attention is a challenge when... 8-minute read Why Interactive PDFs Are Better for Engagement Are you looking to enhance engagement and captivate your audience through your professional documents? Interactive... 7-minute read Seven Key Strategies for Voice Search Optimization Voice search optimization is rapidly shaping the digital landscape, requiring content professionals to adapt their... 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Your rating is required to reflect your happiness. It's good to leave some feedback. Something went wrong, please try again later. This resource hasn't been reviewed yet To ensure quality for our reviews, only customers who have purchased this resource can review it Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch. Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource: Expository Writing Graphic Organizers | 5-Paragraph Essay | Digital Google Drive™ folder What educators are saying Also included in. Description Guide your upper-middle school students through the writing process with these Expository Writing Digital Graphic Organizers for Google Drive ™. More than 15 digital graphic organizers you can upload to your class LMS to help your students learn how to think, plan, and organize a 5-paragraph essay. You can use these tools in several ways to meet learning goals without necessarily assigning a complete 5-paragraph essay. Here are some suggestions: Walk your students through the entire writing process from brainstorming to final draft using the various graphic organizers. Practice writing specific parts of the essay. For example, you might want to have your students practice writing thesis statements or topic sentences. Or maybe you want to work on elaboration. Some of the samples are partially complete. You can use these for class discussion and whole group instruction. Complete the graphic organizer together as a clas s. Or, you can have students complete the sample on their own or with a partner in class. You can have students write an essay using one of the samples. You can have students revise the samples. Practice organizing an essay by completing 2 different graphic organizers . Choose 1 to write a complete essay. Students learn how to plan and organize various types of expository writing: Basic 5-Paragraph Essay Cause/Effect Compare/Contrast Problem/Solution Steps in a Process Blank Templates You Can Customize Samples of each of the above help you model expectations for students. Topics for the samples include the following: Basic 5-Paragraph Essay: Favorite Holiday Basic 5-Paragraph Essay: Impact of Social Media on Society Cause/Effect: Lack of Sleep on Student Performance Compare/Contrast: Literary Analysis of Cherry and Ponyboy in The Outsiders Steps in a Process: Making a Pizza Graphic Organizers for Planning Essays in Detail Thesis Statement Think Sheet Topic Sentence Think Sheet Essay with Evidence Essay with Elaboration Elaboration Practice for Each Type of Essay That You Can Tailor to Any Writing Assignment Graphic Organizers with Step-By-Step Instructions at the Point of Use Writing the Introduction (with-step-by-step instructions at the point of use) Writing the Body Paragraphs Writing the Conclusion Teacher Resources How to Use This Product Ideas for Scaffolding and Differentiated Instruction 21 Age-Appropriate Writing Prompts Complete, Color-Coded Sample Essay Written in Third Person You might also be interested in the following products for Distance or Hybrid Learning: • Essay Writing | MLA Format | Digital Student Handbook | Distance Learning • Expository Writing Interactive Slideshow | Distance Learning • Expository Writing Unit for Distance Learning | Slideshow, Graphic Organizers • Literary Analysis Bundle: Literary Elements, Graphic Organizers, & Essay Writing • Literary Essay Interactive Slideshow & Digital Graphic Organizers • MLA Format & Avoiding Plagiarism Interactive Slideshow | Distance Learning • Research Paper Graphic Organizers & Digital Note Cards for Distance Learning Please feel free to reach out with questions! Best wishes always, Linda Ricci M.A. Education M.A. Journalism B.A. English Certified to teach English, grades 7-12 More than 12 years experience teaching 8th grade English Questions & Answers Ela teacher toolbox. We're hiring Help & FAQ Privacy policy Student privacy Terms of service Tell us what you think 457 IMAGES Expository Essay Graphic Organizer by LakeLifeFun Free Graphic Organizers for Teaching Writing Expository Essay Graphic Organizer by Corinna Crumpton Expository Essay Graphic Organizer Expository Essay Graphic Organizer by Maria Burkins Expository Writing Graphic Organizer 5th Grade VIDEO How To Write Personal Expository Essays (Body Paragraphs) Expository Essay Conclusion Organizer How to Write an Expository Essay (It's Easy!) Expository Essay Literary Term #literary term #expository #essay Expository Essay Graphic Organizer 100 best topics for expository essays to nail your paper COMMENTS Effective Essay Writing Graphic Organizers: Boost Your Writing Skills By using a graphic organizer, you can visually map out your thoughts, main points, and supporting details. This helps you clarify your ideas and ensure that your essay has a logical structure. There are various types of graphic organizers you can use, such as mind maps, concept maps, Venn diagrams, and flowcharts. Effective Graphic Organizers for Essay Writing By utilizing various forms of graphic organizers, such as concept maps, Venn diagrams, and flowcharts, you can transform your essay into a compelling and logical narrative that captivates your readers. Navigating the Writing Process with Ease. Writing an essay can often feel like navigating through a labyrinth of ideas, arguments, and evidence. How to Use Graphic Organizers for Essay Writing Select the appropriate type of graphic organizer: Depending on the purpose of the essay, choose a graphic organizer that best fits the needs of the writing task. There are various types available, such as Venn diagrams, flowcharts, and concept maps, each designed to aid in organizing different types of information. 7 Graphic Organizers for Expository Writing By Brooke Khan, M.A.Ed | May 9th, 2019. |. Seven different types of expository writing graphic organizers! Writing worksheets for multiple expository formats including informational, explanatory, descriptive, problem/solution, cause/effect, sequence of events, and more are included! Using Graphic Organizers for Writing Essays, Summaries and ... Helps you visualize your research and how elements connect with each other. Enhance your essays, summaries and research papers with visual elements. Track correlations between your thoughts, observations, facts or general ideas. When it comes to essay writing, the most common graphic organizers are webs, mind maps, and concept maps. Efficient Essay Writing Using a Graphic Organizer: A Step-by-Step Guide How a Graphic Organizer Simplifies the Process. A graphic organizer is essentially a visual tool that aids in brainstorming ideas, organizing information logically, and outlining content before diving into the actual writing process. Research has shown that graphic organizers are beneficial for enhancing writing skills by improving vocabulary ... PDF WRITE AN EXPOSITORY ESSAY Hook Intro Sentence (you might fill this in last!) Main Idea/ Thesis (Should directly. PDF Supplemental Aid: EXPOSITORY ESSAY expository essay graphic organizer, slowly remove the wording. Continue this process until the student can routinely, independently, and effectively answer writing prompts using the blank expository essay graphic organizer. At this stage, the student is ready to use the blank graphic organizer as an allowable supplemental aid on the state ... PDF GRAPHIC ORGANIZER EXPOSITORY WRITING GRAPHIC ORGANIZER - EXPOSITORY WRITING Name: _____ Date: _____ NOTE: This is a "skeleton" for your writing. You should expand on these when you write the ... BUT it must be backup, events, etc. you have paraphrased from the novel. Your essay answer the question. You do NOT need five paragraphs necessarily. Just be sure you have ... How to Use Graphic Organizers to Write Better Essays In Lucidchart, our mind map shapes and templates double as brainstorming graphic organizers. Start with an essay prompt as your central shape and then fill in the shapes that branch off your prompt with topic ideas. Alternatively, you can add your selected topic to the center and start brainstorming the different ideas you need to cover in your ... How to Write an Expository Essay in 5 Steps How to Write an Expository Essay in 5 Steps. Written by MasterClass. Last updated: Jun 7, 2021 • 3 min read. Learning how to write a good expository essay is an academic writing skill that lays the foundation for the type of expository writing that's necessary for numerous professions. How to Write an Expository Essay The structure of your expository essay will vary according to the scope of your assignment and the demands of your topic. It's worthwhile to plan out your structure before you start, using an essay outline. A common structure for a short expository essay consists of five paragraphs: An introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. PDF Writing an Essay: Graphic Organizer Use this graphic organizer to plan your analytical/persuasive essay. The introduction should start with a broad statement and end with your thesis statement, which "zooms in" on the points you will explore in more depth. The body paragraphs must contain evidence to support your thesis. (The number of body paragraphs coincides with the ... How to Write an Expository Essay: Types, Tips, and Topics You can write an expository essay using the following steps. 1. Define your thesis statement. Because an expository essay generally goes in-depth on a given subject, it's important that you specify your thesis statement from the get-go. State it in a clear and concise manner in the first paragraph of your essay. Free Editable Essay Graphic Organizer Examples Example 1: 5 Paragraph Essay Graphic Organzier. The most common type of essay writing format is a 5-paragraph essay. Essay graphic organizer for writing helps organize all those 5 paragraphs and insert valuable information inside them. It includes the first paragraph section in which the writer inserts the topic sentence and at least three thesis statements. Use Outlines, Notetaking, Graphic Organizers, Lists (English I Writing In this lesson, you will use the prewriting strategies of note-taking, graphic organizers, outlines, and lists to help you evaluate and organize your ideas for either an expository essay or a short story. There are two main reasons to use prewriting strategies. First, they make a paper easier to write because prewriting strategies allow you to ... Free Editable Graphic Organizer for Writing Examples Example 12: Graphic Organizer for Expository Writing. The graphic organizer for expository writing includes the topic in the center, and the write-up is divided into sub-topics resulting in separate paragraphs. The purpose of an expository essay is to present a balanced, objective description of a topic without proving a point or personal opinion. How to Write an Expository Essay 1. Read Your Essay Prompt. Most expository essay prompts will ask you to do one of the following: Define and explain a concept or theory. Compare and contrast two ideas. Examine a problem and propose a solution. Describe a cause and effect relationship. Explain a step-by-step process. Expository Essay Writing PowerPoint and Graphic Organizer File previews. ppt, 1.08 MB. Expository Essay Writing PowerPoint and Graphic Organizer. Guide students step by step through an expository writing prompt, using a four square graphic organizer. Students will learn how to put their ideas in logical order to support their thesis statement, develop an introductory paragraph with a hook, and develop ... Expository Writing Prompt, Expository Graphic Organizer, Rubric Introducing expository writing has never been easier! This in-depth informative writing prompt resource guides students through the step-by-step process of drafting an expository outline using an expository graphic organizer and writing an expository essay. From the beginning writer to the advanced writer, this resource has something for everyone. Free writing-expository graphic organizers Created by. Katrina Lamonica. This cute hamburger graphic organizer helps your students write an expository/classification paragraph with a topic sentence, a 3-part body paragraph as well as a closing sentence. This graphic organizer also includes transition words to help your students link sentences smoothly. Expository Writing Graphic Organizers Practice writing specific parts of the essay. For example, you might want to have your students practice writing thesis statements or topic sentences. Or maybe you want to work on elaboration. Some of the samples are partially complete. You can use these for class discussion and whole group instruction. Complete the graphic organizer together ... Expository Writing Graphic Organizers Practice writing specific parts of the essay. For example, you might want to have your students practice writing thesis statements or topic sentences. Or maybe you want to work on elaboration. Some of the samples are partially complete. You can use these for class discussion and whole group instruction. Complete the graphic organizer together ... assignment essay homework paper phd report resume review speech