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Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer Examples & Templates

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Problem and solution graphic organizer is used to improve the students' problem-solving skills. It primarily assists students in identifying the problem and potential solutions. It also describes the problem's issue, the anticipated steps for its elimination, and the final solution.

If you want to learn more about the problem and solution graphic organizer , keep reading until the end of this blog post. Then, we will discuss each aspect, from its basics to the best problem-solution graphic organizer example .

1. What is a Problem and Solution Organizer

A problem solution organizer is a graphical representation of problems and solutions. The graphic includes the problem at the beginning, then the causes of this problem, suggestions for tips, and a final solution to the problem. Using these diagrams makes it easy for a person to understand the problem and solution.

In teaching, graphics organizers are easy to understand and present. Besides, this can be used in many business organizations to structure problems and solutions.

Let's see an example of a problem and solution graphic organizer in teaching.

• Step 1 : Find the problem and write it in the problem box.
• Step 2 : Ask students to brainstorm causes and solutions to the problem.
• Step 3 : Once you find the perfect solution, write it down.
• Step 4 : If you want to add suggestions, then go ahead and add a section next to solutions.

It is how you can use an example of a problem-solution graphic organizer . If you want to edit this template, click on the image to modify it.

2. 10 Problems and Solutions Graphic Organizer Examples for All Grades

A problem solution graphic organizer example is used to showcase the problem and solution of a particular case. Here we have explained the 10 problem-solving organizer examples suitable for all grades and teachers.

Example 1: Graphic Organizer: Problem Solution

Example 2: problem & solution graphic organizer, example 3: problem and solution graphic organizer, example 4: problem and solution graphic, example 5: problem solution worksheet, example 6: problem-solving model, example 7: problem and solution graphic (printable), example 8: weekly problem and solution graphics, example 9: problem and solution graphic organizer, example 10: problem solution graphic organizer.

This problem and graphic organizer example shows sections for problems, choices, and pros and cons. It is one of the best examples of problem-solving because there are numerous ways to solve it. For instance, enter the problem in the first box and add choices next to the problem. In these three choices, you have the option to list the pros and cons of each choice. After comparing all these three choices, you can reach a logical conclusion.

This problem and solution graphic organizer is a simple example that anyone can use to display problems and solutions. In this example, you can see three sections for the problem, and its solution can use to show problems and solutions. In this example, you can see three sections for the problem and its solution. Remember that the problem and solution will be written separately, with problems on the left and solutions on the right. This graphic helps students brainstorm problems and solutions. Moreover, it helps them make predictions and suggestions.

This template is used to identify the problem and potential solutions. In the first section, you can add a problem, and in the next three sections, you need to share three events that happened in the problem. After that, the diagram is about the problem, who is involved, and why it takes place. The last section is about the conclusion of the problem.

This template is designed to recognize the problem and its solutions simply. In this, mention the problem in the first section and then share three choices for the problem. Next, the choices are divided into pros and cons, and last are the conclusions. It will be brainstorming for the students.

This problem-solution worksheet is an innovative way to help students understand day-to-day life problems and solutions via engaging story elements. This worksheet is divided into two sections: problem and solution. In this case, students are required to match the problem with a solution. With this, students can develop their cognitive skills.

In this problem-solving model, you will find four steps. The first phase is determining the issue, followed by developing an actionable plan, carrying it out, and seeking a solution.

• Students can enter keywords in the "understand the problem" area of the diagram.
• In the second section, they can choose a method and utilize this space to organize and explain the thinking process.
• They can include the keywords in the third part, which will help them stick to the strategy.
• Students can carefully review the solution in the final part.

Students may arrange, explain, and get the answers encountered by the fictitious characters they are reading with this printable problem-solution graphic organizer. First, students must put down the issue that each character in the narrative faces in the first box and the resolution they came up with in the box below. Next, students must list the characters' steps to solve the giant box on the right side. Students are expected to describe the solution method more in-depth in this area than others.

This weekly problem-solving example can be used to identify problems and solutions. There will be different problems with each passing day. Write a rough work or drawing, a sum or number sentence, and then an answer in the first section. This organizer is beneficial in sharing day-to-day problems and consistently presents the problem and the solution.

This problem-solution organizer is for comparison between different situations. It consists of four sections. The first is the problem box, and the second is the text section, which is divided into problem and solution sections. Another part is for problems and solutions.

The easy-to-understand and editable problem solution graphic also falls into three categories: who, what, and why? In addition, the graphic contains two sections: problem solutions and solutions. It helps students actually to brainstorm and find the solution to the problem.

So, these are the best graphic organizers for problems and solutions. If you're looking for the best software to create these examples, then EdrawMax is the best. Here we go!

BONUS: Create Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer with Wondershare EdrawMax!

Wondershare EdrawMax is one of the best tools for creating engaging and professional graphics organizers. There are unlimited templates to edit; search for them and make the most of them. Additionally, the editing process is simple and easy to understand.

3. Conclusion

You have learned all the examples of problem and solution graphic organizers. These are best for teachers to help students brainstorm their minds and develop their creative and cognitive skills. However, if you want to create or modify the templates above, go to EdrawMax .

Graphic Organizer Complete Guide

Check this complete guide to know everything about graphic organizer, like graphic organizer types, and how to make a graphic organizer.

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Free Editable Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer Examples

Problem and solution diagrams are useful tools that can be used in order to describe an issue or problem along with proposed steps for its elimination as well as a final solution at the end. If you are looking to understand more about problem and solution graphic organizers , keep on reading till the end. In this post, we are going to touch up some base concepts about these organizers while explaining some examples along the way.

1. What is a Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer

In summation, a problem and solution graphic organizer is defined as a graphical representation of a problem-solving process. The diagram involves writing the essence of the problem in the beginning, then suggesting steps for resolving it, and finally coming up with a solution. By using these diagrams, it becomes easy for a person or team to organize the relevant information into an easily perusable and understandable form.

The reason why problem and solution diagrams are so important is that they are easy to read and present. Should an organization face a problem or issue, the relevant team or department can come up with a simple and straightforward graphic organizer that depicts the best route forward while enumerating the steps necessary for taking that certain route.

If there is any modification that needs to be made with a certain aspect of the solution, it can be easily done so since every step will be separately and clearly mentioned.

2. The Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer Examples

Problem and solutions graphic organizers are used for depicting the steps needed for reconciliation when a certain problem arises. If two or more parties are involved in the resolution of any issue, it is important for them to be on the same level of understanding. Similarly, if there is a large organization and there are a lot of people who need to take part in solving the problem, it is essential that each one of them knows and understands what the issue is, what the steps are that are needed for the resolution and what the final solution will be. By using a problem and solution graphic organizer , you can delegate that knowledge and teach a large number of people the protocol that needs to be followed when solving a problem. The graphic organizer can be presented at a meeting or it can be individually given to each of the involved personnel.

Here are some examples of problem and solution diagrams:

Example 1: Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer

This graphic organizer depicts a simple problem and solution layout. In this example, the problem is shown at the top of the page and it is divided into three sections viz. ‘Who?’, ‘What?’ and ‘Why?’

The benefit of this segregation is that it not only helps the user to define the problem, but it also enables them to describe who the problem pertains to, what the problem actually is and why the problem surfaced. The simple method would be to mention the problem all in one go but dividing them like this gives greater clarity into the matter.

Then comes the ‘Possible Solutions’ section. This is where all possible solutions to the problem are discussed and brainstorming is done. After that, the selected/most suitable solution is delineated in the last section.

Example 2: Weekly Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer

In this example, the layout is a little different. This organizer depicts a problem-solving sheet for five days of a week viz. from Monday to Friday. Each day has three columns in front of it which are for "Rough Work/Drawing", "Sum/Number Sentence" and "Answer" respectively. Instead of focusing on a problem and giving a solution to it (as was the case in the previous example), this organizer features a set of columns and rows designed for students to help with their weekly problem-solving. This is namely an activity sheet for kids rather than an actual problem-solving diagram that can be officially used etc. This template can be useful to accomplish something similar to what it is made for i.e. learning and teaching, but it is not suitable for using to depict a certain problem and its solution.

Example 3: Problem & Solution Graphic Organizer

The Problem & Solution Graphic Organizer features a simple problem-solving structure. In this diagram, three boxes on the left are made for the problems while three boxes adjacent to them are for their respective solutions. This design does not have the sequence where the problem first appears followed by the steps of resolution and then the solution. Here, three problems are simultaneously listed with their solutions written directly beside them without any ‘Possible Solutions’ section or steps for resolution.

This sort of graphic organizer can be useful in circumstances where a multitude of problems have arisen at the same time and need to be dealt with swiftly. In such an instance, listing possible alternatives or steps can be arduous, and simply writing the solutions can be much easier.

Example 4: Problem Solution Graphic Organizer

This example features an unusual layout that can be used for problem-solving. Instead of listing the problem, the steps/possible solutions, and then lastly the solution, this example first mentions the problem and then three 'Goals' in the form of 'Event # 1, 2, and 3'. In the 'Event' spaces, you can put in the outcomes you require or the situations you need to find yourself in after resolving the problem. Hence, you would be enumerating the goals you need to achieve by solving the problem.

After the ‘Goals’, the ‘Resolution’ section is given. In this section, one could write the actual steps or procedure that needs to be followed to meet the above ‘Goals’. This template can be more suitable for intricate issues rather than simple problems that require a one-line solution.

Example 5: Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer Example

In this example, a very practical and useful approach is used. As we saw before, enumeration of possible solutions is useful for brainstorming and selecting the best one of the lot. This example makes it really easy and simple to compare alternative solutions. It first depicts the problem at the start of the page. Then, three choices are listed underneath the problem. For each choice, a ‘Pros/Cons’ list is given. Finally, in the end, there is a 'Solution' section where you can write the choice you selected and why it is the best one.

By listing the pros and cons of each choice, it can be established which route or plan of action is the most suited and beneficial. The choice which has the most pros and least number of cons can be easily selected.

Example 6: Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer PDF

This graphic organizer is labeled 'Compare and Contrast'. In this example, there are two different sets of problems and solutions. Each set starts off with the 'Text', succeeded by the 'Problem' and then the solution.

In each of the sets, the problem can be described along with the suggested solution. Being two, these problems and solutions can be compared with each other. This sort of graphic organizer can be suitable for specific situations which involve the comparison and matching of more than one problem/solution. This template can also be used to match the alternate solutions to a single problem but the problem part in both sections would have to be identical.

Example 7: Problem and Solution Worksheets

The next example on our list is the Problem and Solution Worksheet. The worksheet is an activity for students and is not exactly a template that can be used freely for any other situation, circumstance, or problem. In this worksheet, there are four sections, each of which contains a certain scenario. In each section, the problem is required and then the solution.

This activity is beneficial for teaching children about problem and solution organizers and the basics of problem-solving. Although the scenario in each section has been explicitly mentioned, it is still required of the students to point out which part is the problem and which part is the solution. This improves their identification skills.

Example 8: Problem and Solution Reading Comprehension Worksheet

This worksheet is also a suitable example to include in this list. The purpose of this worksheet is to tell students to find problems or issues in the story’s character and to list those issues along with their possible solutions.

Albeit with specific instruction, this worksheet also falls in the category of problem and solution graphic organizers. There are three different problems that need to be identified. Three solutions need to be given for each respective problem.

This example has a simple layout unlike some of the more complicated ones we have seen on this list. The worksheet simply requires the students to point out the problem and to suggest a solution. No alternatives are explored, nor are any pros and cons mentioned.

Example 9: Story Elements - Problem and Solution worksheet

This worksheet does not fall in the strict category of graphic organizers. This is a class activity that requires the student to match the problems to suitable solutions. In this example, the problems are given on the left hand and the solutions are given on the right. The solutions and problems are written all jumbled up and are not written adjacent to one another.

This sort of worksheet can be a useful tool in teaching kids the concept behind problem-solving. This example can be a stepping stone using which the students can, later on, realize how they have to present a solution to any problem that they face.

3. Online Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer Maker

Now that we have some idea of what these organizers are, let’s get to the part where we actually make one. If you are looking to make an organizer similar to the examples we saw above, simply head over to EdrawMax Online . At EdrawMax Online, there is a large variety of charts, drawings, and diagrams that you can make. The software is totally online, and it has a user-friendly interface. Shapes can be added from the library by simply dragging them over to the desired spot on the canvas. If you don’t want to make a layout from scratch, you can go to the template gallery and pick a pre-made organizer to edit as your own.

4. Key Takeaways

Problem and Solution Graphic Organizers are great tools that you can use for problem-solving. By mentioning the problem at hand, the steps needed for its resolution, and the selected solution, you can come up with a clear and concise representation of a problem-solving process. EdrawMax Online is your go-to place for making diagrams, drawings, and graphic organizers. The software is cloud-based and offline use available, free, and easy to use and it can convert your file into your desired format. You can find out more graphic organizer examples in the Template Gallery.

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Activities & Lessons

Free Graphic Organizer Templates

Help your students classify ideas and communicate more effectively with these free graphic organizer templates, available for download. They can be used to structure writing projects and help in problem solving, decision making, studying, planning research, and brainstorming.

Printable Graphic Organizers

Select a blank graphic organizer from the following categories depending on your curriculum needs.

Sequence of Events

• Step-by-Step Chart
• Sequence Chart
• Time-Order Chart

Main Topic and Key Details

• Garden Gate
• Describing Wheel
• Cluster/Word Web 1
• Cluster/Word Web 2
• Cluster/Word Web 3
• Ticktacktoe
• Four-Column Chart
• Inverted Triangle
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• Ice Cream Cone

Compare/Contrast

• Venn Diagram

Story Planning

• Story Map 1
• Story Map 2
• Story Map 3
• Planning Chart

Other Graphic Organizers

• Sense Chart
• Problem/Solution Chart
• ISP Chart (Information, Sources, Page)
• Fact and Opinion
• Five W's Chart
• Goal-Reasons Web
• Observation Chart

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12 Graphic Organizer Examples for Teachers and Students

Every teacher wants their students to fully understand the concepts taught in class. However, you may encounter topics that are difficult to teach and understand. It is necessary to employ an innovative approach in order to assist students in comprehending a challenging subject.

Graphic organizers are powerful tools that make complex concepts easier to teach and understand. They also help students develop visual literacy skills . Teachers find graphic organizers helpful for explaining difficult concepts, and students find them engaging. Graphic organizers are also great for presenting research data if, for example, the teacher wants to share a case study with students.

Now, what if you could quickly find and customize graphic organizers without spending hours brainstorming from scratch?Because there is a sea of engaging templates to choose from, you can create compelling visuals with just a few clicks. These graphics can be used for a number of different purposes, including teaching. With Piktochart, you can access and customize engaging graphic organizer templates in minutes – no design skills required. Simply create a free account to get started.

In this article, we will look at the 12 graphic organizer examples that greatly assist teachers and help students retain information for a longer period of time. 

What is a Graphic Organizer?

Graphic organizers are tools that help visually organize information and complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand and memorize. Graphic organizers effectively organize and visualize information by creating links between concepts or facts. By visually illustrating the relationships between concepts, graphic organizers make it easier to analyze and internalize information. 

We know that every mind works differently. Presenting information in a systematic, visual format enables students to follow along at their own pace and grasp relationships more easily than via verbal explanation alone. They can also be an invaluable tool for visual learners.

12 Graphic Organizer Examples for Different Learning Objectives

There are countless types of graphic organizers out there, as information can be organized and visualized in many different ways. We’ll focus on 12 of the most helpful types of graphic organizers for teachers and students, organized by the primary purpose each one serves.

Graphic Organizers for Brainstorming and Organizing Ideas

Some graphic organizers are specifically great for organizing ideas for brainstorming. Here are three examples. 

Mind maps are graphic organizers that organize information in a structured and visually attractive fashion. When a mind map is finished, you will get a structure that looks like a spider web. An example of the graphic organizer is the following mind map on Piktochart . It shows the values of a company, with different values branching out from the central idea, that is, company values . 

We all know that information retention can become quite difficult, especially when a number of different subtopics link to one main topic. A student could use a mind map to break down the taxonomy of living things, with ‘Organisms’ in the center, ‘Kingdoms’ branching out one level, ‘Phyla’ branching out from each ‘Kingdom’ and so on.  

Concept Map

Concept maps are another type of graphic organizer that excels at representing hierarchical information. They use boxes or circles to represent different concepts, with lines or arrows labeled to illustrate the relationships between them.

Concept maps have many uses in educational settings. They help in the sequential understanding of different concepts for students. For example, if a teacher has to break down a country’s government structure, he or she will most likely use a concept map to show the branches and subbranches of different government institutions systematically. 

Cluster Diagram

Cluster or cloud diagrams help brainstorm different ideas around a main concept. This type of graphic organizer is called a cluster because the topic or ideas related to the main idea form a cluster around it. For example, a cluster diagram can assist students determine how much they know about a topic and what areas need further research.

 This type of graphic organizer is very useful when generating ideas for a project or planning its different phases. Cluster diagrams break down a complex subject into smaller parts, both for individuals and for groups, for example, during defining scope of a project in its early stage.  

Graphic Organizers for Comparing and Contrasting

 The next type of graphic organizer helps you to compare two or more concepts. You can use this organizer to compare and contrast ideas, people, events, and policies. For instance, say you’re teaching a unit on different forms of government. You could use a compare and contrast graphic organizer to help students parse out key similarities and differences between a democracy and a dictatorship. This type of graphic organizer will be your go-to option. 

It is important to know that when you use this type of graphic organizer to compare two concepts, you are covering both the similarities and differences between those concepts. However, with contrast, only the differences are mentioned. Some examples of this category of graphic organizers are given below.

Venn Diagram

A Venn Diagram usually comprises two to three overlapping circles. The commonalities between the concepts are written in the shared or overlapping area, whereas all the distinct or unique features are mentioned in the part of the circle that does not overlap with any other circle. 

For example, you could have your students draw Venn diagram for the fruits and vegetables that red or orange. The common area between the two circles will contain vegetables like tomatoes that come in both these categories. The Venn diagram below shows the comparison of mitosis and meiosis. 

Another brilliant graphic organizer for comparing and contrasting is the “T Chart.” A T-chart is simply a table with two columns, usually comparing two items or ideas, or sorting data into categories. This type of graphic organizer is super quick to create and easy to understand, especially for students. T charts can also be used to categorize and jot down pros and cons.

The T chart is a popular option for both teachers and students because its layout is straightforward, and it offers a wide array of functions. For example, if the students are planning to go on a field trip but are not able to choose a location, then T charts can help a great deal. 

Teachers can ask the students to make a T chart of potential places and list the advantages and disadvantages of each of the locations in their respective columns. Also, a T chart is a great graphic organizer to show upsides and downsides of a topic.

Graphic Organizers for Sequencing and Cause-Effect

Next on the list are graphic organizers, which show the sequence or timeline of events. Sequence and timeline graphic organizers are particularly useful for teachers when presenting events in chronological order is important. Some of the graphic organizers that help students visualize the relationships between steps in a process or links in a chain of events are as follows.

A timeline graphic organizer shows a sequence of events in chronological order. History subjects make great use of timelines . Because major historical events can be shown in a proper sequence using a timeline. Along with dates, timelines give the flexibility to mention locations as well. For example, a timeline of the American Revolution could chart major turning points like the Boston Tea Party, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the Battle of Yorktown.

Timelines can also be used to show how a certain phenomenon has progressed over time, such as a business’s growth. The Piktochart timeline template below charts key events in the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Notice how the combination of images and concise text makes the chronology engaging and easy to follow. 

This type of graphic organizer shows the steps of a process and how all the steps combine in a sequence to make the process happen. Flowcharts systematically and clearly document and communicate how a process works and what steps are involved in it, from start to finish. When a process is mapped using a flowchart , potential areas or steps of improvement can be identified. 

Cause and Effect Diagram

As the name suggests, a cause-and-effect diagram groups those causes of a problem that either have already happened or might happen. Relationships between different contributing factors can also be shown using a cause-and-effect diagram.

Often referred to as an Ishikawa diagram, or a fishbone diagram, a cause-and-effect visual is one of the basic tools of quality . While often associated with root cause analysis in business and manufacturing, cause-and-effect diagrams are equally powerful for getting to the bottom of issues in the classroom. By mapping out all the potential contributing factors to a problem, students can start to identify patterns and actionable solution.

Source: Noria Corporation

Graphic Organizers for Main Idea and Supporting Details

This category of graphic organizers shows a main idea and its supporting ideas. It defines and visualizes a core concept and all its supporting details. It is a great tool that helps students develop an outline of a topic for better understanding. Some of the examples are given below.

Main Idea Web

This type of graphic organizer starts with a main idea and branches out into related sub-ideas. The key point behind web graphic organizers is sometimes referred to as a light bulb. It is predominantly  used to brainstorm ideas for writing purposes. For example, if a student wrote a report on photosynthesis, they could put “photosynthesis” in the center, then branch out to related subtopics like ‘chloroplasts’, ‘light-dependent reactions’, etc.

Herringbone Diagram

A herringbone diagram is used when processes are involved. This type of web organizer helps you break down variations in a process or causes that lead up to an effect. A herringbone diagram is particularly important for avoiding an event before it happens.

Graphic Organizers for Writing and Note-taking

Another group of graphic organizers we’ll explore focuses on writing and note-taking. Writing, especially essays, proves challenging for many students as they struggle with arranging ideas. Here are a couple of graphic organizers for writing, which can be of great help to you.

Essay writing is an important skill that students use throughout their lives. An essay map graphic organizer is a brilliant tool for students, as it helps them to chalk out the outline in a systematic manner without missing any detail. Once a student is done with his or her essay map, writing becomes a walk in the park.

Cornell Map

This graphic organizer is a popular technique for note-taking. Particularly during lectures and textbook reading, the Cornell Map template comes in handy as it helps students to jot down all the important ideas and information systematically. It usually has a cue column, a note-taking column, and a summary section. 

When students are taking notes, the key ideas, important dates, formulas and other such details would go into the “note-taking” column. They will add questions, cues, and headings in the “cue” column. Whereas, the “summary” section will include a summary of the notes as one or two key learning outcomes. This helps students identify important details when they revise their notes later on.  

Tips for Using Graphic Organizers Effectively

It is important for teachers to use graphic organizers in a manner that maximizes the chances of effective learning. Some of the tips to make sure a graphic organizer effective are given below.

• Simple is Always Better —Your graphic organizers must always be simple. This will help students learn quickly. For example, avoid complete sentences unless absolutely necessary.
• Offer a Variety of Graphic Organizers – Expose your students to different types of graphic organizers day-to-day. This will bring out the best in them in terms of creativity.
• Use the to Assess Student Learning – Give the students a task along with a graphic organizer focused on the skill in focus. Use their graphic organizers to assess their standing in the class. 
• Use them Frequently —Using graphic organizers frequently helps students internalize what is being taught. The more often students use these tools to engage with content, the more adept they’ll become at using them independently. 

A graphic organizer is a tool for teachers to explain complex problems to their students. Similarly, graphic organizers help students visualize the information being taught in class. 

There are different graphic organizers, each suited to a specific purpose or thinking process. Whether it’s brainstorming ideas, comparing and contrasting, sequencing events, mapping out an essay, or taking structured notes, there’s a graphic organizer that can help.Teachers can encourage their students to generate ideas by using graphic organizers in their lessons. Students can use graphic organizers to enhance their writing skills.

Piktochart is a one-stop solution that lets you create your own graphic organizer within seconds. It has both one-pager templates and multi-pager templates to cater to all kinds of requirements. Sign up on Piktochart now and make learning fun!

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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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How to Use Graphic Organizers to Write Better Essays

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Reading time: about 6 min

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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Blog Graphs and Charts 19 Graphic Organizer Examples to Simplify Complex Concepts

19 Graphic Organizer Examples to Simplify Complex Concepts

Written by: Danesh Ramuthi Nov 28, 2023

Graphic organizers serve as essential visual aids that assist students in structuring and displaying information in a clear, accessible manner. These tools are particularly effective in simplifying and demystifying complex topics, ensuring that intricate concepts are easier to understand and remember.

From Venn diagrams to concept maps, these organizers play a pivotal role in enhancing comprehension and retention of the main idea, especially in educational settings.

Each type of graphic organizer offers a unique approach to organize information, making it easier to grasp complex concepts and brainstorm ideas. These organizers are not just tools for visual representation, but also catalysts for deeper understanding and creative thinking.

Discover these engaging tools on Venngage and sign up today to start creating your own effective graphic organizers for enhanced learning.

By signing up , you gain access to a diverse array of graphic organizer templates, enabling you to create your own effective graphic organizers. 

Click to jump ahead:

Venn diagram

Concept map, double bubble map, hierarchy chart, cluster diagram, sequence chart, idea web graphic organizer, spider map graphic organizer, circle map graphic organizer, hexagon organizer, idea wheel graphic organizer, tree chart graphic organizer, sequence of events chain graphic organizer, cause and effect map graphic organizer, problem-solving chart, organizational chart graphic organizer.

• Bottom line 

A venn diagram is a highly versatile tool used to visually represent the relationships between different sets of items. Typically composed of overlapping circles, each circle represents a distinct set of items or ideas, with the overlapping areas indicating commonalities. 

Venn diagram is particularly effective in comparing and contrasting concepts, highlighting similarities and differences in a straightforward, easily comprehensible manner. Venn diagrams are widely used in various fields ranging from education to business, aiding in problem-solving, data analysis and brainstorming sessions. 

They offer a clear and concise way to visualize the connections and distinctions among multiple groups or concepts, making them an invaluable tool for organizing complex information.

Mind maps are dynamic tools used for brainstorming, planning and organizing thoughts in a visually appealing and structured manner. Centered around a single, central idea, they branch out into various related sub-topics, creating a spider-web-like structure. 

A mind map helps in visualizing the relationships between different ideas, fostering creative thinking and memory retention. Mind maps are commonly used in educational settings for note-taking, essay planning and studying, as well as in business for project planning and strategy development. 

Their flexible nature allows for the integration of words, images and colors, making them an engaging and effective way to explore and expand upon ideas, both simple and complex.

Concept maps are graphical tools used for organizing and representing knowledge. They consist of concepts, usually enclosed in circles or boxes, connected by labeled arrows in a downward-branching hierarchical structure. 

These maps are designed to illustrate the relationships among various concepts, often capturing complex structures of understanding or knowledge. 

Concept maps are particularly useful in educational settings for learning, teaching and assessment, as they encourage deep understanding and integration of new information with existing knowledge. 

In professional contexts, they aid in problem-solving, decision-making and explaining intricate processes or systems. 

Concept maps are a powerful tool for making sense of complex topics by visually breaking them down into more manageable components.

Story maps are specialized graphic organizers used for dissecting and understanding the elements of a story or narrative. They typically focus on identifying key components such as the setting, characters, plot, conflict and resolution. 

By breaking down a story into its fundamental elements, these maps provide a clear framework for analyzing and comprehending narratives. They are particularly useful in educational environments for teaching literary analysis, improving reading comprehension and assisting in creative writing. 

Story maps not only aid students in summarizing and understanding literature but also provide a structured approach for planning and outlining their own stories, ensuring a coherent and well-structured narrative flow.

The double bubble map is an effective graphic organizer used for comparing and contrasting two items, concepts or events. It features two central bubbles representing the items being compared, surrounded by outer bubbles that contain attributes or characteristics of each item. 

The unique aspect of this map is the inclusion of additional bubbles in the overlapping area, highlighting the similarities between the two central items.

A double bubble map provides a clear visual representation of how two entities are alike and different, making it a valuable tool in educational settings for critical thinking exercises, literary analysis and enhancing comprehension of complex topics.

The double bubble map helps students organize information systematically, encouraging them to explore and understand the nuances of comparison and contrast.

A hierarchy chart, also known as an organizational chart, is a graphic organizer that illustrates the structure of an organization or a system. It is structured in a top-down manner, with the highest level at the top (like a CEO or the main concept) and subsequent levels representing different ranks or sub-categories.

This type of chart is crucial for visualizing the chain of command within an organization or the breakdown of complex systems into smaller, more manageable parts.

Hierarchy charts are widely used in business for depicting organizational structures, in education for breaking down concepts and in project management for outlining the structure of a project. They offer a clear, easy-to-understand representation of relationships and roles within any hierarchical system.

The T-chart is a simple yet versatile graphic organizer that helps in comparing two aspects of a single topic. It consists of a large ‘T’ shape, with the vertical line dividing the page into two columns. Each column represents a different aspect, viewpoint or characteristic, allowing for a clear, side-by-side comparison.

T-charts are widely used in educational settings for analyzing texts, comparing historical events, or weighing pros and cons in decision-making processes. They are particularly helpful in enhancing students’ analytical skills, as they encourage them to organize their thoughts and view topics from multiple perspectives.

The simplicity of the T-chart makes it an accessible tool for students of all ages, fostering critical thinking and structured analysis.

Cluster diagrams, also known as cloud diagrams, are graphic organizers that help in brainstorming and organizing ideas around a central concept. The main idea is placed in the center, usually within a circle, and related ideas or subtopics branch out from it, forming a cluster-like structure.

This diagram is particularly useful for visualizing the relationships between a main concept and its various components or aspects. Cluster diagrams are widely used in brainstorming sessions, idea generation and planning phases of projects.

They encourage creative thinking and help in the exploration of complex topics by breaking them down into smaller, interconnected parts. This organizer is an effective tool for both individual and group activities, aiding in the visual representation and organization of thoughts and ideas.

Sequence charts are essential graphic organizers for outlining the chronological order of events or steps in a process. They are particularly effective in helping students understand the time-based progression of events in history, literature or scientific processes. 

Sequence charts typically consist of boxes or arrows that guide the viewer through a series of steps or events, emphasizing the order and interconnectivity of each part. 

In educational settings, they assist in simplifying complex sequences and timelines, making them more accessible and easier to remember. 

They are also used in project planning and workflow management, providing a clear visual representation of stages in a process or project.

Idea web graphic organizers are designed to visually map out the connections between a central idea and related concepts. 

At the heart of the web is the main topic, from which various lines or branches extend to link to secondary and tertiary ideas or details. This spider-web-like structure is ideal for brainstorming sessions, where it helps in organizing thoughts and fostering creative associations. 

Idea webs are widely used in educational contexts for essay planning, story writing and exploring complex concepts. They encourage students to think divergently, making connections between different ideas and expanding upon the central theme in a visually coherent way.

Spider map graphic organizers, resembling a spider’s web, are used for detailing the attributes or components of a central idea or theme. The main concept sits at the center, with lines extending outward to secondary nodes that represent related information or subtopics.

Spider maps are versatile tools in education for note-taking, studying and brainstorming, enabling students to visually organize and interconnect ideas. 

They also serve as valuable tools in project planning and conceptual mapping in various professional fields.

Circle map graphic organizers are utilized for brainstorming and defining concepts in a clear, concise manner. They consist of two concentric circles: the inner circle hosts the main idea or topic, while the outer circle contains information, attributes or related ideas. 

This map is particularly effective for initiating thought processes around a new topic, gathering prior knowledge or brainstorming ideas before delving into more detailed study or analysis. 

Circle maps are popular in educational settings for introducing new concepts, encouraging students to explore and connect their existing knowledge with new information, thereby facilitating a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Hexagon organizers are dynamic graphic tools used for exploring connections and relationships between various ideas or concepts. Each hexagon represents a unique idea or piece of information, and these hexagons are arranged next to each other to demonstrate how they interconnect.

Hexagon organizers are popular in brainstorming sessions, for mapping out systems or processes, and in educational settings to help students understand the interdependent nature of certain concepts or events.

Idea wheel graphic organizers are circular tools that help in brainstorming and organizing ideas around a central theme or question. The central hub of the wheel represents the main idea, and spokes radiate out to smaller circles or sections where related ideas or details are noted.

This organizer is effective for visualizing the components of a topic, planning essays or projects, and encouraging creative thinking. 

In educational settings, idea wheels assist students in exploring topics thoroughly, ensuring that all aspects are considered and helping them to see how different ideas connect to the central theme.

Tree chart graphic organizers are hierarchical tools used to represent the structure of ideas or concepts. Resembling a tree, the main idea forms the trunk and branches represent subtopics or related information. 

It is particularly effective for breaking down complex information into manageable parts, making it easier to understand and analyze.

Tree charts are widely used in educational environments for studying biology, corporate structures or family genealogies, as well as in business for mapping organizational hierarchies or decision trees. 

They provide a clear, visual method of showing relationships and hierarchies within a topic.

Read Also: What is a Decision Tree and How to Make One [Templates + Examples]

Sequence of events chain graphic organizers are linear tools designed to help visualize the order of events or steps in a process. Each link in the chain represents a sequential event or action, clearly illustrating the progression from one stage to the next.

It is invaluable in teaching narrative structure, historical timelines or scientific processes, as it helps students understand the temporal relationships between events. 

Sequence chains are also beneficial in project planning and workflow management, offering a straightforward method to track the progression of tasks or stages.

Cause and effect map graphic organizers are used to visually display the relationships between various causes and their effects. 

Each cause is linked to its direct effect, often using arrows or lines, allowing for a clear representation of the impact of various factors.

These organizers are particularly useful in scientific studies, history and literature analysis, as they aid students in understanding the interplay between different elements and their consequences. 

Cause and effect maps are also beneficial in problem-solving and decision-making processes, helping to identify potential outcomes of various actions.

Problem-solving charts are effective tools used for breaking down and analyzing complex problems into more manageable components. They typically involve identifying the problem, exploring possible causes, brainstorming potential solutions and then evaluating and selecting the most feasible options.

These charts are instrumental in both educational and professional contexts, aiding in critical thinking, decision-making and creative problem-solving processes.

By providing a structured approach to tackling challenges, problem-solving charts help individuals and teams to systematically address issues, ensuring that all aspects of a problem are considered before arriving at a solution.

Organizational chart graphic organizers are used to depict the structure of an organization or a group, illustrating the hierarchy and relationships between different roles and departments.

These charts typically represent higher-level positions at the top, with lines branching down to subordinate roles, clearly showing the chain of command and communication pathways.

They are essential in business and institutional settings for providing a clear overview of the organizational structure, facilitating better understanding and communication within the organization.

In educational settings, organizational charts aid in teaching concepts of management and organizational behavior, helping students visualize and understand complex organizational dynamics.

Related: 40+ Charts & Graphs Examples To Unlock Insights

Bottom line

Graphic organizers play a crucial role in learning and information processing due to their ability to visually structure and simplify complex information.

By leveraging the power of graphic organizers, you can transform the way information is absorbed and presented.

With Venngage’s user-friendly platform, the creation of your own custom graphic organizers is just a few clicks away.

Sign up on Venngage today and gain access to a treasure trove of graphic organizer templates, ready to be tailored to your educational needs. 

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Initial Thoughts

Perspectives & resources, is it the responsibility of teachers to teach study skills strategies (opinion question: no resources), which study skills strategies can improve students’ academic performance.

• Page 1: Introduction to Study Skills

Page 2: Graphic Organizers

• Page 3: Comprehension Strategies
• Page 4: Mnemonics
• Page 5: Note-taking
• Page 6: Materials Organization
• Page 7: Time Management
• Page 8: Self-Regulation
• Page 9: References & Additional Resources
• Page 10: Credits

• Organize information
• See the relationships between ideas
• More easily understand, remember, and apply information

Douglas Dexter, whose primary research interest is successful inclusion practices for adolescents with LD, has focused much of his attention on the effectiveness of graphic organizers. Listen as he describes three reasons that graphic organizers are effective for students with learning difficulties (time: 2:02).

Douglas Dexter, PhD Assistant Professor of Special Education The Pennsylvania State University

View Transcript

Transcript: Douglas Dexter, PhD

The good news about graphic organizers and in such content enhancements, they really benefit everyone. This isn’t just a tool for my students with high-incidence disabilities. This is a tool that’s going to really help everyone in the classroom. Why are graphic organizers so effective? We have three big ideas that we can focus on. The first one, graphic organizers make information extremely explicit and clear. The spatial arrangement of the main concepts or information on the graphic organizer make it very clear for the students how those facts or concepts are related. It makes those relationships very apparent. And when I talk about relationships, those can be temporal, having to do with time, spatial, semantic, sequential, hierarchical, or comparative. The second big idea for why graphic organizers are effective is because they serve as a bridge between new information and prior knowledge. So as a teacher if I present very general ideas of a new concept and compare that to a concept that I have previously taught my students, it’s going to better allow my students to understand that information and link it to their prior knowledge, which is critical for students to learn new information. This is much more effective than giving an introductory lecture or a text introduction to a new subject. And finally the third big idea for why graphic organizers can be so effective for students with LD and ADHD is because graphic organizers really minimize the stress on the working memory. Students with LD and ADHD, they have difficulty identifying those main ideas and supporting details. They have those issues with identifying and ignoring extraneous information. If we can cut that out for our students, really cut the fluff so to speak, we can really minimize the stress on the working memory, which is going to allow the students to learn much more about the subject.

Research Shows

• A systematic review of mathematics interventions showed that graphic organizers, either as a stand-alone strategy or with other instructional strategies (e.g., problem-solving, mnemonics, multiple representations), had positive outcomes with middle school students. ( Powell et al., 2021 )
• The results of a single-case design study indicated that the use of a funnel map helped Spanish-English bilingual students with learning disabilities comprehend descriptive expository texts. Moreover, all students reported that the funnel map made it easier to find information in the text. ( Calvin & Gray, 2023 )
• A meta-analysis shows that middle and high school students with disabilities who used graphic organizers to learn science content displayed increased vocabulary knowledge and comprehension. (Dexter, Park, & Hughes, 2011)

Because there are many kinds of graphic organizers, teachers should carefully select those that will best convey the information and relationships they wish for their students to learn. The table below lists several of the most common types of graphic organizers and the purposes for which they can be used. Click on them to learn more as well as to see completed versions of each (when the link is clicked, the content will open underneath the table).

Cause and Effect

Cause-and-effect chain

Cause and effect chain

Students can use this type of graphic organizer to clarify the relationship between specific events and the outcomes deriving from them, thus illustrating the concepts of consequences , inevitability , and causality .

Romeo secretly attends the Capulets’ masquerade

Romeo falls in love with Juliet

Romeo slays Tibalt

The prince banishes Romeo from Verona

Friar John fails to deliver his message to Romeo

Romeo falsely believes Juliet to be dead

Description

This cause-and-effect chain depicts three events (left side) and their corresponding outcomes (right side) from Romeo and Juliet . The top event is “Romeo secretly attends Capulets’ masquerade,” with the outcome being “Romeo falls in love with Juliet.” The next event in the middle is “Romeo slays Tibalt,” with the outcome being “The prince banishes Romeo from Verona.” The last event at the bottom is “Friar John fails to deliver his message to Romeo,” with the outcome being “Romeo falsely believes Juliet to be dead.”

Problem and solution map

Cause Longer than usual period without rain

Cause Population growth increases demand for water

Problem Citywide water supply shortage

• Fine residents for overuse of water
• Purchase water from neighboring states
• Offer subsidies to farms and industry to limit water use
• Create program to encourage homeowners to use water more responsibly

This graphic organizer depicts how a water supply shortage can have multiple causes and solutions. The top two boxes feature the causes: “Longer than usual period without rain” on the left and “Population growth increases demand for water” on the right. Below them is the problem box: “Citywide water supply shortage.” Underneath is the solutions box with a numbered list: “(1) Fine residents for overuse of water, (2) purchase water from neighboring states, (3) offer subsidies to farms and industry to limit water use, and (4) create program to encourage homeowners to use water more responsibly.” The last box features the result box: “Combined, these approaches help the city to make it through the remainder of the dry summer months.”

Fishbone diagram

Also called an Ishikawa diagram (after its inventor), this type of graphic organizer can be used to show a range of complex causes and interactions that lead to specific events.

This fishbone graphic organizer illustrates the various primary causes of World War I: Competition Among Nations, Diplomatic Errors, Complex Alliances, and Foreign Policy Events. Secondary causes of the war branch out from each primary cause. The secondary causes that fall under Competition Among Nations are Arms Race and Territorial Disputes. The secondary causes falling under Diplomatic Errors are Delayed Communications and Assumption of Bad Faith. The secondary causes that fall under Complex Alliances are Franco-Russian and Dual Alliance. Finally, the secondary causes falling under Foreign Policy Events are Balkan Wars and Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand.

Classifying

Students can use a web to categorize or classify items.

In this web graphic organizer, the central term “literature” is divided into a pair of major categories: “fiction” and “nonfiction.” These categories, in turn, are broken into more specific units. “Nonfiction” leads to “autobiography,” “essay,” and “history.” “Fiction,” meanwhile, spreads out to “novels,” “short stories,” and “poetry.” The term “novels” becomes more specific yet, breaking down to genre categories like “fantasy,” “science fiction,” and “mystery.”

Classification table

Students can use this simple organizer to sort or classify information or objects into different categories.

This table categorizes “Types of Rocks with Examples.” From left to right, the column subheadings underneath include “Igneous,” “Sedimentary,” and “Metamorphic.” Listed within the Igneous category are obsidian, basalt, pumice, granite, mica, and quartz; listed within the Sedimentary category are sandstone, shale, fossils, limestone, and gypsum; and listed within the Metamorphic category are slate, marble, quartzite, schist, and gneiss.

Comparing and Contrasting

Venn diagram

Named after their creator, Venn diagrams are a type of graphic organizer used to show the overlapping relationships between various categories of ideas, things, events, mathematical expressions, or logical concepts.

The primary nations that made up the Central Powers of World War I and Axis alliance of World War II

This Venn diagram depicts the primary nations that made up the Central Powers of WWI and the Axis alliance of WII. The left circle features the Central Powers, including Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire, while the right circle representing the Axis alliance includes Italy and Japan. The overlapping middle section includes Germany and Bulgaria.

Compare-contrast matrix

Students can use this type of graphic organizer to clarify what is the same and what is different about the selected people, places, or objects.

This matrix organizer compares aspects of Japan and China. From left to right, the column headings include “Attribute,” “Japan,” and “China.” The first comparison examines government, with Japan having a unitary parliament/constitutional monarchy while China has a single-party state. The next comparison examines official language, with Japan speaking Japanese while China speaks Mandarin. The third comparison examines population, with Japan having 127 million people while China has 1.35 billion people. The last comparison examines geographic location, with both countries being in Asia.

Word webs are graphic organizers that help students to better understand a key vocabulary term by connecting it to related terms.

This vocabulary graphic organizer depicts different aspects of a word. In the center of the graphic organizer Today’s Word is listed. Today’s Word is “happy.” Under the word is the definition of happy: “having, displaying, or marked by pleasure or joy, adj.” Under the definition of happy are three examples of Today’s Word in sentences. The first example is “When I am happy, I smile.” The second example is “Winning at checkers makes me happy.” The third example is “The happy birds were singing a cheerful song.” To the left of Today’s Word are three synonyms for happy. The synonyms are “glad,” “pleased,” and “joyful.” To the right of Today’s Word are three antonyms for happy. The antonyms are “sad,” “miserable,” and “gloomy.”

Frayer Model

This type of graphic organizer is used to help students develop more comprehensive vocabulary skills by offering not only a definition and examples of what a given person, place, event, or thing is but also a definition and examples of what those things are not .

This graphic organizer dissects the concept of a triangle using a rectangle divided into four quadrants, with the idea name overlayed in the middle. The top left quadrant features the definition: “A basic geometric shape; a closed pane form having three sides and three angles.” The top right quadrant features the characteristics: “A triangle is a three-sided polygon with three vertices (or sides).” The bottom right quadrant features the nonexamples: “Square (four equal sides), octagon (eight sides), and circle (no sides).” And the bottom left quadrant features the examples: “Scalene, equilateral, and isosceles.”

Semantic map

Teachers can use semantic maps to help students to better understand the ways in which words, categories, and concepts are related to one another. This organizer is a type of web that allows students to add in descriptive information about the content.

A semantic map illustrates some of the ways in which words, categories, and concepts are related to one another. In this version of such a map, the key term “vertebrates” is surrounded by a number of specific examples: “amphibians,” “reptiles,” “fish,” “mammals,” and “birds.” Descriptive information has been added beside each of these examples. For example, “amphibians” has been annotated to read “cold-blooded, born in water, no scales.” “Reptiles” reads “cold-blooded, scales, born on land.” “Fish” says “only live in water, have gills and fins.” “Mammals” reads “warm-blooded, babies drink milk, hair on body.” Finally, “birds” is annotated “feathers.”

This common type of graphic organizer breaks down the important steps in a process or sequence and can be used to solve problems or clarify multipart procedures.

This diagram presents a step-by-step approach to writing a paper using boxes and arrows to guide users through the workflow. “Yes” arrows direct users down to the next primary step (formatted as questions) in the left column of boxes, creating the most direct path. “No” arrows redirect users to solutions in the right column of boxes before rejoining the main path. The top left box asks, “Have you developed a thesis for your paper?” If not, “create a clear, straightforward statement of what your essay is about.” The next step asks, “Have you located references and resources for your paper?” If not, “locate books, journals, and newspaper articles.” The final step before writing asks, “Have you created an outline for your paper?” If not, “break your essay into parts to create a smoother and more logical flow of information.” Finally, “begin writing.”

Series of events chain

Similar to a timeline of events, this type of graphic organizer can be used to demonstrate how a linear sequence leads to a specific outcome.

This graphic organizer depicts a vertical timeline of The Odyssey , with subsequent events being increasingly indented to the right as they move toward the specific outcome. The first event at the top is “Odysseus and his men land on the island of Cyclopes,” followed by “They are soon captured by Polyphemus and trapped in his cave,” “Odysseus affects an escape, blinding Polyphemus as part of the ruse,” and finally “Polyphemus prays to Poseidon, who greatly lengthens Odysseus’ journey home.”

This variety of graphic organizer can help students to more fully comprehend series of events or phenomena that take on recurrent patterns.

This graphic organizer shows the recurring pattern of the water cycle using labeled arrows: (1) “percolation” and “transpiration” occur as water makes its way from the ground and plants, (2) “evaporation” occurs as water heats up and makes its way into the atmosphere, (3) “condensation” occurs as water cools to form clouds, and (4) “precipitation” occurs as water returns to the earth.

This simple and familiar type of graphic organizer arranges events in chronological order to help students better grasp the relationship between historical occurrences or developments.

This timeline graphic is shaped like a double-headed arrow and is divided into single-year increments, a few of which are labeled with some of the major events leading up to the American Revolutionary War. Beginning with 1765, the timeline highlights the Stamp Act then proceeds to similarly spotlight the Boston Massacre in 1770, the Boston Tea Party in 1773, the First Continental Congress in 1774, and the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Douglas Dexter discusses the importance of consistently using the same graphic organizer for similar tasks (e.g., comparing and contrasting), what he refers to as the “verbal structure” of the lecture or text (time: 2:06).

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I think it’s very important that teachers pick out graphic organizers based on the verbal structure of their lecture or their text. It doesn’t matter which one you pick. The big idea is as long as you are making those relationships very clear and very explicit, just keep using that same organizer time after time. Then you’re optimizing your instructional time because the students—after you’ve modeled it for them for a while and they’ve gotten some practice with it—they can do that much more independently. And so you’re going to get a lot more time to cover the content, and the students are going to be able to absorb that content again through their working memory. They’re able to encode this information much more efficiently if they are using organizers that they understand. What’s going to happen after several months of using these in the classroom, the students then become much more independent. They become self-reliant, and they become self-regulators, and what we see is they can effectively pick out, and they know which organizer to use. So they can see a text structure, and they can say, “Okay, I see what’s happening here, and this is the organizer that we’ve been using in my class, so I will pick that out.” And the good news here is it’s never too late. Of course it would be wonderful if we got our students thinking in this way even before middle school, but even if I’m teaching an eleventh grade English class or twelfth grade English class, if I introduce this to my students, they’re going to be able to get this and it’s going to benefit them for a very long time. In my longitudinal research, what I find is even when students leave the classrooms that we are in and move up in grades, move up from middle school to high school, they’re going to other classes, and they’re using these same graphic organizers because it really cuts across all of the content areas. And getting students to think this way—and especially our students with learning disabilities and ADHD—really will give them a great benefit and a leg up in being very successful in the secondary level.

Regardless of the graphic organizer the teacher selects, it must clearly demonstrate the relationship between pieces of information.

Click here for feedback .

Activity: Feedback

For this example, we chose to use a compare-contrast matrix to compare and contrast the information in the students’ graphic organizers. The information included highlights some of the main differences, though it should not be seen as all inclusive.

*U.S. National Park Service. (2007). Fact sheet #2: How do sand dunes move?

Reading and Writing Graphic Organizers

Comic strip activity.

Endangered Species Graphic Organizer

Problem Solution Graphic Organizer

Expository Essay Web

Five Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer

Steps in a Process Graphic Organizer

Persuasive Essay Graphic Organizer

Fishbone Graphic Organizer

Blank Storyboard Activity Page

Narrative Essay Graphic Organizer

Sequence Graphic Organizer

Cause and Effect

Cause and Effect Chain

Story Map Graphic Organizer

Literal and Figurative Graphic Organizer

Paragraph Graphic Organizer

Three Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer

Compare Contrast Graphic Organizer

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Problem and solution graphic organizers are invaluable tools for problem-solving and decision-making. By providing a structured approach, they help you identify and analyze problems, generate creative solutions, and develop effective action plans.

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Problem and solution graphic organizers are powerful tools that can help you identify, analyze, and solve problems more effectively. They provide a structured framework for breaking down complex issues, generating creative solutions, and developing action plans.

Benefits of Using Problem and Solution Graphic Organizers:

• Improved problem identification and analysis: Graphic organizers help you break down complex problems into their component parts, making it easier to understand the root causes and contributing factors. This clarity leads to more effective problem-solving. For example, if you are trying to solve the problem of low employee morale, a graphic organizer can help you identify the underlying causes such as poor communication, lack of recognition, or excessive workload.
• Enhanced brainstorming and solution generation: By separating the problem from potential solutions, graphic organizers encourage creative thinking and facilitate the generation of a wide range of options. This increases the likelihood of finding innovative and effective solutions. For example, if you are trying to solve the problem of high customer churn, a graphic organizer can help you brainstorm solutions such as improving customer service, offering loyalty programs, or developing new products.
• Clearer decision-making and action planning: Graphic organizers allow you to evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of different solutions side-by-side. This comparative analysis makes it easier to make informed decisions and develop effective action plans. For example, if you are trying to solve the problem of inefficient workflow, a graphic organizer can help you compare different solutions such as implementing new technology, streamlining processes, or hiring additional staff.
• Increased collaboration and communication: Graphic organizers can be used as a collaborative tool to share ideas, discuss solutions, and reach consensus among team members. The visual nature of graphic organizers makes it easy to communicate complex information and ensure that everyone is on the same page. For example, if you are working on a project with a team, a graphic organizer can help you share your ideas, track progress, and identify any potential roadblocks.
• Improved documentation and knowledge sharing: Graphic organizers provide a structured and easy-to-understand documentation of the problem-solving process. This documentation can be shared with others to facilitate knowledge sharing and continuous improvement. For example, if you have developed a successful solution to a problem, you can use a graphic organizer to document the process and share it with others in your organization.

How to Use a Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer:

• Define the problem: Clearly state the problem you are trying to solve. Be specific and concise. For example, instead of saying “I have a problem with my car,” you could say “My car is making a strange noise when I brake.”
• Identify causes: Brainstorm the underlying factors or events that have contributed to the problem. Use arrows or lines to connect the causes to the problem statement. For example, if your car is making a strange noise when you brake, some potential causes could be worn brake pads, a faulty brake caliper, or a problem with the brake fluid.
• Generate solutions: List potential solutions that could address the problem. Be creative and consider different perspectives. For example, if your car is making a strange noise when you brake, some potential solutions could be replacing the brake pads, repairing the brake caliper, or flushing the brake fluid.
• Evaluate solutions: Consider the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of each solution. Use a table or rating system to compare the options. For example, you could rate each solution on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most feasible, effective, and cost-effective.
• Choose a solution: Select the solution that best meets your needs and constraints. Explain your rationale for choosing this solution. For example, if you have limited time and resources, you might choose the solution that is most cost-effective and easiest to implement.
• Develop an action plan: Outline the specific steps you will take to implement the solution. Assign responsibilities and timelines. For example, if you decide to replace the brake pads on your car, your action plan might include purchasing new brake pads, scheduling an appointment with a mechanic, and replacing the brake pads yourself.
• Monitor and evaluate: Track your progress and make adjustments as needed to ensure the effectiveness of the solution. Regularly review the graphic organizer to identify any changes or updates. For example, if you replace the brake pads on your car but the noise persists, you might need to further troubleshoot the problem and consider other potential solutions.

Free Download: Printable Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer Template

This free downloadable template provides a structured framework for using problem and solution graphic organizers. Customize it to fit your specific needs and preferences.

You can download the template by clicking Use Template button on this page.

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Cause-and-Effect Graphic Organizer

A cause-and-effect graphic organizer is a powerful tool for simplifying complex relationships and improving critical thinking skills. By analyzing cause-and-effect relationships, we can better understand how events and actions are connected, identify the root cause of a problem, and develop effective solutions.

Brainstorming Graphic Organizer PDF

Organize and represent your ideas with brainstorming graphic organizer PDFs. Create well-structured essays or research articles and present your thoughts with the help of these graphic organizers.

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Inquire to write a problem- solution essay, to write a problem- solution essay.

• Subject: What specific problem would you like to solve?
• Purpose: Why are you writing—to change a policy, to reveal a problem, to propose an effective solution?
• Audience: Who will read this essay? What action do you want them to take?
• Choose a problem to tackle in your essay.
• Complete a problem-solution chart to explore your prior knowledge.
• Searching: Investigate to learn as much as you can about the problem.
• Examining: Consider many possible solutions to the problem.

Topic: Child warriors

Thought: International intervention is needed

Thesis statement: Warlords who force children to fight as soldiers will not be stopped until the international community intervenes.

• Shaping: Arrange details about the problem and solution in an outline or other graphic organizer.
• Begin with an opening paragraph that introduces the problem and offers a solution in a thesis statement.
• Follow with middle paragraphs that offer supporting details to explain or defend the solution.
• End with a closing paragraph that revisits the problem and tells why your solution is important and will work.

Purpose: Does the essay effectively fulfill your purpose?

Audience: Will the essay hold the reader’s interest?

Rewrite any passages that sound too emotional. Use a knowledgeable and firm voice.

Add connecting words or transitions.

Check your writing for accuracy.

• Present the final copy of your essay to a classroom blog.

Problem-Solution Essay

Fighting Dogfighting

In 2007, NFL quarterback Michael Vick was charged for running an illegal dogfighting ring. On Vick’s property, pit bull dogs were housed and trained to fight each other, sometimes to the death. At least eight dogs were executed for poor training. This grisly picture exposed a major problem gripping both urban and rural America. Dogfighting is a widespread problem that must be solved through education and awareness measures in schools and communities.

Dogfighting is an illegal blood sport that pits two dogs against each other. Owners and spectators gamble high stakes on the outcomes. Though the practice is illegal in all 50 states, an estimated 40,000 people are involved in dogfighting. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that another 100,000 people are involved in “streetfighting,” or informal dogfights. While most outsiders can see the moral and ethical problems surrounding the sport, participants and spectators see dollar signs. They become desensitized to the violence, and such callousness spreads beyond the ring into schools and communities.

Prevention of dogfighting begins with education and awareness. Schools and youth centers ought to implement programs that discuss the horrors of dogfighting and teach participants how to treat dogs humanely. One program that could serve as a model is a nonprofit organization called Knock Out Dog Fighting. Knock Out reaches out to community centers, schools, and juvenile detention centers in California to raise awareness about dogfighting and provide healthy alternatives for dealing with aggression.

Another way to raise awareness of dogfighting is to produce Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Communities can urge local radio stations to air anti-dogfighting PSAs like the ones offered for free at the Humane Society Web site. Concerned citizens can also create their own PSAs and publish them through social media. Spreading important anti-dogfighting messages on local radio programs and through social media would get the word out to many people and build empathy for animals.

Lastly, people need to report any signs of dogfighting to their local police departments. It is imperative that we do not ignore dogfighting in our own neighborhoods. Anyone fearful of retribution for speaking out can report anonymously. Doing so can save dogs’ lives.

Dogfighting is violent and cruel and must be stopped. It treats dogs inhumanely and endangers communities. Education and awareness programs can sensitize youth and adults to animal cruelty. Citizens can help by speaking out against dog violence. Dogs—and our communities—deserve better.

Additional Resources

Web Page: 100 Problem Solution Essay Topics with Sample Essays

Web Page: How to Write a Problem-Solution Essay

Web Page: Problem-Solution

© 2014 Thoughtful Learning

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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Graphic Organizers 101: Why and How To Use Them

An incredibly valuable tool for every student, every subject.

Even if you’ve never heard of graphic organizers, chances are good you’ve been using them in one form or another all your life. That pros and cons list you made before making a big purchase? The family tree you’re working on? Your school’s org chart? They’re all graphic organizers. Here’s what you need to know about using this powerful tool with students of all ages.

What are graphic organizers?

Source: @thecomfortableclassroom

Put simply, graphic organizers are a way of organizing information visually to help students understand and remember it. They’re tools that let kids make connections, create a plan, and communicate effectively. A good organizer simplifies complex information and lays it out in a way that makes it easier for a learner to digest. Graphic organizers may include text and images, depending on the purpose and student’s learning style.

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How do I use them?

Source: @yourteacherbestie

You can provide students with pre-printed organizers or encourage them to draw their own. Either way, teach students how to use them by modeling the behavior first. Consider making anchor charts for commonly used types so students can refer back to them as they work.

With younger students, work to help them understand how to choose certain types of organizers depending on their goals. For instance, students taking notes while they study may find a concept map most helpful. When comparing two topics, a Venn diagram or T chart is probably the best choice. Here are some ways to use graphic organizers in various subjects (and explanations of them below).

Language Arts

• Use a story map or story mountain to diagram the characters, setting, and key plot points.
• Try a web organizer to keep track of character relations and connections.
• Learn vocabulary words with a Frayer model that lays out meaning, synonyms, examples, and illustrations.
• Map out the topic, main ideas, and supporting facts of an essay before you start writing.
• Use a story map or mountain to plan creative writing.

Math and Science

• Use a Frayer model to define and understand terms and formulas.
• Compare two or more concepts with a Venn diagram (like area and perimeter).
• Create a visual representation to solve a story problem.
• Plan an experiment with a sequence organizer.
• Start the exploration of a new topic with a KWL organizer to understand what students already know, what they want to learn, and what they do learn.
• Draw a timeline to understand the order of events in history.
• Use idea webs or concept maps to keep track of information as you read and help you study.
• Dig deeper into a topic with a cause and effect organizer.

What types of graphic organizers should I use in my classroom?

Graphic organizers come in a wide array of styles. Here are some of the most common types to try with your students.

Source: Mrs. Byrd’s Learning Tree

This is one of the first organizers many kids learn to use. For little ones, story maps are simple, laying out the setting, characters, and beginning, middle, and end. Older students can expand the map to take in more details.

Timeline and Sequence of Events

Source: Growing Kinders

Here are two more common organizers kids will recognize. Timelines are generally used in history and social studies classes, though they can be helpful when reading books too. Use sequencing organizers to lay out the steps of a procedure or science experiment.

Story Mountain

Source: @goodmorningmissbagge

A story mountain is helpful both when reading and preparing to write. Students map out a story from start to finish, building up to a climax and back down to the conclusion.

Source: Mrs. Kurt’s All Star Kindergarten Blog

KWL (What I K now, What I W onder, What I L earned) charts are a terrific way to help kids think about what they want to learn about a topic and hold them responsible for actually finding out that information. The first column is a list of everything they already know. The second column lists what they’d like to learn, and the third one provides new information acquired along the way.

Source: Krazy for Kindergarten Goes to Third Grade

When there’s a lot of information to remember about a subject, idea webs are a terrific way to organize it all. It’s a more interesting way to explore a subject than just making a list or taking notes and one that’s more likely to help kids actually remember the information.

Concept Map

Source: Evidence-Based Teaching

A concept map takes an idea web to the next level. It’s really a series of idea webs, with connections drawn between. These can get very large, so encourage older students to explore online programs that can help them create useful diagrams.

Source: Joyful Learning in KC

Circle maps are terrific for brainstorming or thoroughly understanding a specific concept. In some cases, circles can continue to expand outward. For instance, a circle map could begin with your hometown in the middle, with a larger circle for your state, another for your country, then your continent, and so on. Inside each circle, students write info relevant to that subject.

Source: A Learning Journey

Graphic organizers are especially useful when planning any kind of writing. OREO and Hamburger models are common, but you’ll find a lot of other options out there too. The key is to make sure the organizer helps students define their main idea, gather supporting evidence, and draw a conclusion supported by the facts.

Frayer Model (Vocabulary)

Source: What I Have Learned

The Frayer model has a lot of uses but is most often applied to vocabulary. The term goes in the middle, with four sections surrounding it for definition, characteristics, examples, and non-examples. Another version has sections for definition, synonym, an illustration, and using the term in a sentence.

Cause and Effect Graphic Organizer

Source: Around the Kampfire

When you want students to dig deeper into the material, try a cause and effect organizer. You can use it in pretty much any subject to make connections between actions and results.

Source: @ducksntigers13

A T chart is a very simple way to compare two related subjects. Many people use these all the time, especially when writing pros and cons lists.

Venn Diagram

Source: Teach With Me

A Venn diagram is another way to compare and contrast material, looking for similarities and differences. The simplest version has two overlapping circles, with more overlapping circles added for more complex subjects.

Where can I find free graphic organizer printables?

While you don’t need to use a pre-printed organizer every time, they can be especially helpful with younger students as they learn how this valuable tool works. The internet is full of graphic organizer printables, both free and for purchase on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers. Here are some free options we’ve created for teachers to try.

• Summary Graphic Organizer
• Summarizing Graphic Organizers (Grades 2-4)
• Predictions and Inferences Organizer
• Scientific Method Graphic Organizer
• Continents Graphic Organizer

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Plus, anchor charts 101: why and how to use them ..

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Problem and Solution Essay Writing Activities & Graphic Organizers for Grades 8

What educators are saying

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Description

Tackle the issue of cyberbullying while teaching your students how to write a masterful problem and solution essay. Packed with activities for analyzing and deconstructing a sample problem and solution essay, your students will use scaffolded text analysis questions to learn and study about how one is written from the bottom-up. With differentiated essay writing activities and advanced graphic organizers that show how to structure a perfect essay, this package is a must-have for any teacher looking for a low-prep, high-impact way to teach their students how to identify a problem and offer solutions in a professional manner.

This Problem and Solution Essay Writing package includes a suite of writing activities that are perfect for grade 8-11 students who need practice writing essays:

• textual analysis questions
• key essay language
• station tasks & task cards
• structure analysis
• summary practice
• brainstorming practice
• supporting idea(s) practice
• a variety of problem and solution writing prompts

The writing activities are ideal for English Language Arts classes or with ELL and ESL learners who are studying problem and solution writing in grades 8 through 11. They can be used for supplementary material, homework or as a separate classroom lesson on text analysis and essay writing.

✅ The Most Impactful Way to Teach Essay Writing: Have your students go deeper into the design of the text by reverse-engineering it! This resource uses text analysis questions to help learners deconstruct a problem and solution essay paragraph-by-paragraph. By answering questions about a sample essay’s context, use of language, and structure, students get to think critically about the choices the author made in the writing and learn the essay’s structure organically. It will teach them how to write a problem and solution essay from the bottom-up.

✅ Graphic Organizers for Essay Writing: Your students will love the step-by-step guidance offered in the graphic organizer. They’ll get suggested paragraph lengths, structure, and language tips as they prepare and, eventually, write their own problem and solution essays. There are even different essay writing prompts they can choose from!

✅ Essay Writing Practice using Task Cards: Included in this essay writing package are 20 different essay writing activities for practicing different parts of a problem and solution essay. Presented on task cards, your students can use these to practice…

• summarizing
• brainstorming
• restating a writing prompt
• using problem and solution oriented language
• writing supporting ideas
• identifying between either problems or solutions

✅ Keep the Class Engaged with a Catchy Topic: Don’t worry about your students getting off task when having to study essay writing. They’ll get a sample problem and solution essay that discusses cyberbullying, a great way to subtly embed wellbeing into your lessons. With something most students experience at least once in their lives, they will be eager to write their own problem and solution essay offering ideas to stop cyberbullying!

✅ No Planning; Just Teaching: Get your prep-time back by using a pre-planned lesson plan, included in the purchase. The lesson plan is incredibly easy-to-use and gives you ideas on how to introduce the essay topic in a fun way, a pacing structure that scaffolds the learning for you, different teaching ideas for problem and solution, and answer keys. Simply print out the student pages and follow the pre-planned lesson plan.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Samantha said,  "Great resource! My class loved this! They are in a self contained class."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Leona said, "This was an excellent resource that helped students to demonstrate their understanding of the content being taught."

This package includes a  PDF file  that can be opened using your preferred PDF reader. It also comes with a lesson plan and a high-resolution cover page. ⭐ Get the Bundle for Big Savings ⭐ Purchase my  21st Century Essay Writing Bundle to get this Problem and Solution pack plus similar resources for writing an  Opinion Essay , Compare and Contrast , and Advantage and Disadvantage Essay at an incredible discount.

✴️ This Problem and Solution Essay Writing Package is also part of my  21st Century Language Learning Bundle . Purchase it now and get this resource, plus other resources for teaching language through exciting topics like  Distraction  and  ChatGPT .

Terms of Use:

This resource was created by Landon S. Seigler of ESL Lifeline, all rights are reserved. The original purchaser is permitted to use it for a single class only . Teachers have the authorization to share this product with their students (and parents) through email, Google Classroom, or the Internet, as long as the site is password protected. Distribution to your own students is allowed, but uploading it to the Internet for public access and download is not permitted.

**If you wish to use this resource for multiple classrooms or share it with fellow educators, please purchase additional licenses from ESL Lifeline’s store on TpT – they are discounted. Your adherence to these usage terms is greatly appreciated.

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