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Thesis Statement Worksheet Templates

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What is a Thesis Statement?

In academic writing, a thesis statement is the central idea, claim, or argument that guides the entire paper. Knowing how to write a one is essential for creating strong and coherent papers that convey your message effectively. However, crafting an effective statement is not easy and can be a daunting task for many writers, regardless of the subject. Our templates provide a structured framework for students to create well-crafted thesis statements that meet the requirements of academic writing.

What is a Thesis Statement Worksheet?

Our worksheets help plan for any essay or paper. Students can use a specific (enumerative) thesis statement or an umbrella thesis statement to plan out the primary idea of their essay and practice writing effective ideas. Academic writing often requires a strong statement that sets the tone and purpose of the work.

Why Are These Graphic Organizers Important and How Are They Best Used?

Thesis statements are the bedrock for any paper, debate, or other writing assignment. It is used to guide the writing and keep ideas focused on proving that statement true with relevant evidence. Students often have a difficult time getting started, so these templates can help guide them as they craft one to guide their writing. By using a template, learners can structure their thoughts and ideas to create something that is clear, concise, and effective. Outlines provide a framework for writers to understand the different types, generate ideas, and effectively communicate their message. Additionally, graphic organizers offer a visual way to organize ideas, making the process of writing more accessible for learners.

There are different types of worksheets that are designed for different purposes and levels of writing proficiency. Some worksheets may be geared towards helping students develop a basic understanding of how to get started, while others may be more advanced and focused on refining and strengthening existing pieces of writing. Having different templates gives students a choice on which is most useful for their task.

Other Useful Tips for Creating Successful/Useful Thesis Statements Organizer Worksheets

Using worksheet templates can be a powerful tool for helping kids craft strong and effective writing. By providing a structured framework for organizing ideas, learners can better understand the key elements and how to write one effectively. A graphic organizer example can help learners understand the different categories, such as argumentative, analytical, or expository, and how to write a something that fits within these categories.

Graphic organizer examples offer visual representations for parts such as the topic, argument, and main points. This approach can be particularly useful for visual learners who may struggle with written instructions. Templates also allow for differentiation of instruction for learners with different skill levels. For example, some templates may be more structured for learners who are just beginning to learn this type of writing, while others may allow for more flexibility and creativity for more advanced learners.

Using a template can also help learners to better understand the purpose of what they are writing. By breaking down the different components, learners have the space to see how their thesis statement relates to the broader context of their paper and how it guides the reader towards their argument or main point. Overall, worksheet templates can be an effective way to support learners with different learning styles and skill levels and help them to master the art of writing a strong and effective thesis statement.

How to Make A Good Thesis Statement

While a worksheet can be a helpful tool for developing your writing skills, it is not a substitute for careful reading, research, and critical thinking. When using a planning worksheet, it is important to carefully read and follow the instructions and prompts provided. Pay attention to the specific requirements of the assignment, such as the length and format of the thesis statement, as well as the audience and purpose of the writing. Be prepared to revise and refine as needed, based on feedback from your instructor or other readers.

Planning templates are effective by guiding writers through a series of prompts or questions that help them develop a clear and focused argument for their writing assignment. Typically, the worksheet will begin by asking the student to identify the topic of their paper and narrow it down to a specific focus.

The prompts may then ask the student to consider different aspects of their argument, such as the key points they want to make, the evidence they will use to support their claims, and the counterarguments or objections they may need to address. Some worksheets may also provide examples and offer tips for crafting a strong and persuasive argument.

As the student works through the prompts, they will begin to develop a more refined and focused statement that effectively communicates the main argument of their paper. They may also receive feedback or suggestions for improvement from their instructor or peers, which they can use to revise and refine further.

Graphic Organizer Worksheets

Tips to consider when making your worksheet:

• Define the purpose and goals of the worksheet. Determine what specific skills or concepts you want your students to develop and what types of writing assignments they will be working on.
• Choose appropriate prompts or questions. Develop a series of prompts or questions that guide learners through the process of developing a clear and focused thesis statement. The prompts should be clear, concise, and relevant to the specific writing assignment.
• Provide examples and feedback. Offer examples and provide feedback and suggestions for improvement to help students refine their writing skills.
• Consider the needs of different learners. Be sure to consider the needs of different types of learners, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners, and include a variety of activities and strategies to engage all learners.
• Test and revise the worksheet. Try out the worksheet with a small group and gather feedback to identify any areas that may need to be revised or clarified.
• Provide instruction and support. Introduce the worksheet to your class and provide clear instructions and support as they work through the prompts and activities.
• Monitor progress and provide feedback. Monitor progress and provide ongoing feedback and support to help develop writing skills.

Free Thesis Statement Worksheets With Storyboard That

Storyboard That is not just a classroom label maker, it's also a versatile tool that can be used as a thesis statement generator free or even to create various educational resources. With the thesis statement maker, you can easily create templates that guide students in crafting strong and clear thesis statements. Simply choose a template and click on the elements to customize them according to your needs. Once done, you can save the worksheet and either print it right away or keep it in your storyboard library for later use. Whether you need to create free thesis statement worksheets, a specific type of thesis statement, or a general guide to writing thesis statements, Storyboard That's thesis statement creator can help simplify the process and provide a clear and structured framework for kids to follow.

How to Make a Thesis Statement Worksheet

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on "Copy Template"

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific questions and images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished with your worksheet, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Related Storyboard That Resources and Printables

• Essay Outline Worksheets
• Long Composition Template
• Outline Template Worksheets
• Sequencing Worksheets

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions about Thesis Statements

Do i need a worksheet to figure out how to write a thesis statement.

While you don't necessarily need a worksheet to write a thesis statement, a worksheet can help you organize your thoughts and ensure that your thesis statement is strong and effective. Worksheets can provide prompts, examples, and feedback to guide you through the process of how to create a thesis statement that works. They can also help students to work through various examples of both strong and weak thesis statements, and help develop their ability to recognize the characteristics of effective thesis statements, such as clarity, specificity, and a clear argumentative focus. Additionally, the exercises facilitated by the worksheets can help students understand how to develop a thesis statement that effectively guides their writing and provides a strong foundation for their argument. Through the use of example exercises worksheets, students can improve their critical thinking skills and gain confidence in their ability to craft a strong thesis statement.

What is an umbrella thesis statement?

An umbrella thesis statement is a broad statement that encompasses the main point of a paper without providing specific details or evidence. It is called an "umbrella" because it covers a large topic or issue that can be broken down into smaller subtopics for further exploration. An example of an umbrella thesis statement is "The impact of technology on society." Umbrella thesis examples can be an effective tool for teaching students about the importance of clarity and specificity in thesis statements. By using umbrella thesis examples, students can see how a broad topic can be narrowed down into a specific statement that provides a clear direction for the paper. This can help students understand how to craft a thesis statement that is both focused and specific, while still allowing for flexibility in their argument.

How do the worksheets help me to figure out how to make a thesis statement?

Thesis statement exercises worksheets are meant to help students to organize their thoughts and ideas before they begin to write a thesis statement. Worksheets help by providing clear and concise prompts, examples, and support, and helps students to understand the key components of a strong thesis statement and to develop their own unique ideas and arguments. Through the use of a worksheet, students are able to refine their ideas and ensure that their thesis statement accurately reflects the content of their essay or research paper. Ultimately, the worksheet serves as a valuable guide that helps students to write a clear and effective thesis statement.

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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.

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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Check out how Annika, a recent English graduate of the University of Michigan, used mind mapping in Lucidchart to develop her honors thesis.

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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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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?

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Writing in the Health Sciences

• Graphic Organizers
• Writing in General - Books and E-Books
• Writing in General - Articles and Links
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• Case Reports
• Literature Review
• Research Papers
• Style Guides
• Personal Statements and Interviewing

What is a Graphic Organizer?

A graphic organizer is a visual tool used to express ideas and concepts, and convey meaning. A graphic organizer often depicts the relationships between facts; concepts; terms; thoughts; and/or ideas. It can help writers by creating a visual map or diagram of ideas . There are many similar names for graphic organizers including: knowledge maps, concept maps, story maps, cognitive organizers, advance organizers, or concept diagra ms

• The Great and Powerful Graphic Organizer Excellent explanation of graphic organizers, with examples from a teaching perspective.
• Houghton Mifflin Graphic Organizers A long list of many types of organizers, free to download.
• Write Design Organizers This site describes five main types of graphic organizers in detail. It provides links to many more. It then describes the process one must go through in using a graphic organizer.
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Writing Resources

• Student Paper Template
• Grammar Guidelines
• Punctuation Guidelines
• Writing Guidelines
• Creating a Title
• Outlining and Annotating
• Using Generative AI (Chat GPT and others)
• Introduction, Thesis, and Conclusion
• Strategies for Citations
• Determining the Resource This link opens in a new window
• Citation Examples
• Paragraph Development
• Paraphrasing
• Inclusive Language
• International Center for Academic Integrity
• How to Synthesize and Analyze
• Synthesis and Analysis Practice
• Synthesis and Analysis Group Sessions
• Decoding the Assignment Prompt
• Annotated Bibliography
• Comparative Analysis
• Conducting an Interview
• Office Memo
• Policy Brief
• PowerPoint Presentation
• White Paper
• Writing a Blog
• Poster Presentations
• Infographics
• Research Writing: The 5 Step Approach
• Step 1: Seek Out Evidence
• Step 2: Explain
• Step 3: The Big Picture
• Step 4: Own It
• Step 5: Illustrate
• MLA Resources
• Time Management

Practice with the graphic organizers below. If you have questions on how to use these organizers , sign up for the synthesis analysis group session to practice using them.

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10 Free Graphic Organizer Templates for Any Subject

Different lessons require different types of content to help students learn. Here are 10 free graphic organizer templates to use for any subject.

Most students are returning to the classroom in Fall 2021, but everyone’s learning methods have had to change over the past two years. It’s important to adapt as an educator with new techniques , digital materials, and fresh content to keep students engaged .

For any subject, graphic organizers provide effective ways to introduce, teach, develop, and test new material. But different lessons require different types of content to help students learn best. I’m going to give you 10 free graphic organizer templates to use for any subject – just use the Make It button to customize, label, and download your graphic organizer.

• Venn Diagram
• Plot Pyramid
• Brainstorm Chart
• Concept Map
• 5-Paragraph Essay Outline
• 4 Square Writing Chart

1. Flowchart

The Flowchart is one of the most versatile and recognizable forms of graphic organizer out there, ideal for project planning and science experiments. A goes to B goes to C goes to D . With this version, you can copy and paste sections of the chart to make it as long or as short as you need, label each section with specific details, and add a title and other information for your assignment.

2. Timeline

The Timeline is similar to the flowchart , with events spaced out along a single path . In a Timeline, however, the intervals between the events is important to the graphic organizer as a whole. Using this template, you can drag events from one point of the Timeline to another, and add text labels for years and events.

3. Venn Diagram

One of the most widely-used graphic organizers, the Venn Diagram provides a simple way for students to compare and contrast 2 or more distinct ideas. With this template, you can copy and recolor the Venn Diagram circles to compare any number of items with each other.

4. Plot Pyramid

This graphic organizer is most commonly used in elementary and middle school English, language arts, and literature classes. It’s used to identify and map the various stages of a plot arc , from exposition to conclusion. Use this template to title the Plot Pyramid and add any other relevant information you need.

5. Brainstorm Chart

The Brainstorm Chart is a far more freeform type of graphic organizer than most others on this list, and can be arranged almost any way you like. All it requires is a central idea or “problem” to solve, along with an array of other ideas and concepts that are connected to it, and supporting details for these connected points. The freeform nature of the Brainstorm Chart allows students to think creatively and originally on any subject.

6. Concept Map

The Concept Map is similar in form to the Brainstorm Chart, but with slightly more limitations on how it’s used. It’s used to illustrate the relationships that exist between various related concepts , filling in different sections of the organizer to show how the different parts are connected. The Concept Map is perfect for introducing students to a new set of related vocabulary terms in any subject.

7. 5-Paragraph Essay Outline

While some of your students may not remember the 5-paragraph essay too fondly years later, it’s an important step in developing their persuasive writing . This classic 5-paragraph planner is perfect for helping students construct their arguments, counter-arguments, supporting data, and conclusions before they put pen to paper.

8. 4 Square Writing Chart

The 4 Square Writing Chart is similar to the 5-paragraph essay outline, it gives space for looser organizational styles and more creative types of writing structure . The central area contains the main idea or argument, and the surrounding squares are filled with supporting arguments, sections of a narrative essay, personal experiences, or several sides to the same story.

9. Story Map

The Story Map is used for a similar purpose to the Plot Pyramid, but with a broader approach to narrative plot arcs. In the Story Map, students not only recount the plot progression of a story, but detail the setting , characters , and central problems and outcomes . There are dozens of ways to organize your own Story Map, so I recommend you use this template to include whatever areas are most important for your students to identify and analyze.

10. KWL Chart

KWL Charts ask students to write on three different things before and after completing a lesson, activity, or reading: what they Know already about the topic, what they Want to learn from the lesson, and, afterward, what they Learned from the experience. It creates more of a big-picture exercise than most of the graphic organizers on this list, allowing students to identify what they gain from their lessons.

I hope these graphic organizer templates help you engage students effectively in every subject you teach. For more tips and tutorials on creating great digital content in 2021, check out the Kapwing YouTube channel or read through some related articles on education materials:

• 10 Back to School Frames for Fall 2021 • The 4 Best Ways to Learn Video Editing Online • How to Add Subtitles to a Lecture Video • How to Make a Frayer Model Online

5 Free Zoom Virtual Backgrounds for Teachers in 2020

5 Perfect Zoom Virtual Backgrounds for Chemistry Teachers

5 Free Zoom Virtual Backgrounds for Students

• Graphic Organizers

Argument: Grades 9-12

Graphic organizer: argument essay.

In this assignment, students plan and write an Argument Essay on a topic they feel strongly about. Students use an Argument Essay Planner; a graphic organizer that will help them plan their essays. Students use the Planner to create a strong introduction with an engaging hook and a clearly stated claim and come up with reasons and evidence to support their claim. Then students draft their Argument Essay, using the ideas from the Planner to develop an organized essay with a clearly stated claim.

Skills in this Assignment

• Persuade Readers
• Use Voice/Style/Tone
• Consider the Reader
• Hook the Reader
• Use Transitions
• Provide a Strong Conclusion
• Consider & Refute Counterclaims
• Plan an Argument
• Elaborate (Arg)
• Organize for Flow and Logic
• Support with Reasons & Evidence

Standards in this Assignment

Graphic organizer: op-ed.

Students plan and draft an Op-Ed about an issue they feel strongly about. They fill in an Op-Ed Graphic Organizer with their claim and questions to be asked and answered. Then students draft their Op-Eds, using information from the Graphic Organizer to state their claim and describe reasons and evidence that support it. When drafting their Op-Eds, students anticipate and refute a counterargument. Students conclude by briefly restating their claims and leaving readers with call-to-action.

• End with an Idea
• State a Claim, Opinion, or Point of View

Informational: Grades 9-12

Graphic organizer: informative essay.

In this assignment, students plan and write an Informative Essay on a topic of their choice. Students use an Informative Essay Graphic Organizer to plan their essays. Students use the Graphic Organizer to create a strong introduction with a clear thesis statement. They develop their main idea and support it with evidence from their reading and research. Then students draft their Informative Essay, using information from the Planner to develop an organized essay with a clear thesis statement and relevant main ideas and evidence.

• Provide Closure
• Choose Words Carefully
• Use Content Vocabulary
• Connect Ending
• Elaborate (Info)
• Provide a Focus Statement
• Plan a Topic

Graphic Organizer: Compare-and-Contrast Essay

Students use a Compare-and-Contrast Planner to plan a Compare-and-Contrast Argument comparing two items of their choice. Students fill in the planner with information comparing and contrasting the two items. Then students write their Arguments, following a Compare-and-Contrast format consisting of an introduction that includes their central idea, a body paragraph describing similarities, another body paragraph describing differences, and a conclusion that summarizes the comparison and leaves readers with a final thought.

• Use a Compare/Contrast Format
• Use Correct Grammar/Spelling/Punctuation
• Add Meaning (Info)

Graphic Organizer: How-To Essay

In this assignment, students plan and write a How-To Essay explaining how something works or describing how to do something. Students use the How-To Essay Graphic Organizer to plan their Essay. They begin by describing the topic and audience so they can consider the reader as they plan. Students then describe the steps in order, using appropriate details. Students then draft their How-To Essay, writing in a clear voice and keeping the steps in proper order. Students conclude by discussing the results of the process or by offering possible next steps for readers to follow.

• Vary Sentence Structure
• Introduce Topic & Subtopics

Graphic Organizer: Literary Analysis

In this assignment, students plan and write a Literary Analysis analyzing a reading selection and explaining how the reading is a good example of its particular literary genre. Students use the Literary Analysis Planner to plan their analysis. They complete the Graphic Organizer by filling in a thesis statement, elements of the genre, key points, and evidence from the text to support their point. Then students draft their Literary Analysis, using information from the Planner to develop an organized analysis with a clear thesis statement, key points, and relevant evidence from the text.

• Analyze Author's Craft (LR)
• Analyze Literary Elements (LR)
• Determine Theme
• Write an Informational Introduction
• Use a Literary/Text Analysis
• Analyze Author's Purpose
• Analyze Structure

Graphic Organizer: Newspaper Article

In this assignment, students plan and draft a newspaper article about a newsworthy event or a person of special interest. Students use the Newspaper Planner to record the 5Ws, list interview questions and answers, and write down quotes. After planning, students write a newspaper article beginning with an exciting lead and organizing information so the most important facts are up front.

• Ask & Answer Questions (IR)
• Use Reliable Sources
• Consider Language and Word Choice

Graphic Organizer: Newspaper Article - Event

Students use the Newspaper Article Graphic Organizer to plan and draft a Newspaper Article about a newsworthy topic in their school or community. Students fill in the Graphic Organizer with information about the 5Ws. They develop their information with quotes about the topic. Then students draft their article using the information from the Graphic Organizer to write their article. Students begin with an engaging lead and organize their information so the most important facts and details come first.

• Check Spelling & Punctuation
• Inform Readers

Graphic Organizer: Research Report

In this assignment, students research, plan, and draft a Research Report on a topic of interest to them. Students use a Research Report Planner to plan their reports. Students research the topic and develop research questions to narrow down their topic. They then fill in the Research Report Planner with a clear thesis statement, key ideas and evidence, as well as citations for a variety of relevant sources. After researching and planning their topic, students draft their Research Report, including evidence from a variety of relevant sources to support their thesis statement. Students correctly cite each source and conclude by summarizing their key ideas.

• Cite Evidence from Text (IR)
• Demonstrate Comprehension (IR)
• Organize Paragraphs
• Synthesize (IR)
• Demonstrate Understanding
• Use Correct Grammar
• Stay on Topic
• Use a Research Report Format
• Correctly Cite Sources

Narrative: Grades 9-12

Graphic organizer: fictional narrative.

In this assignment, students plan and write a Fictional Narrative. Students use a Fictional Narrative Organizer to help them diagram their story. Students map their characters, plot, and setting, describe the story’s climax, and tell how the climax is resolved. Then students draft their Fictional Narrative, using their Graphic Organizer to organize their plot elements and ideas.

• Provide Closure (Narr)
• Develop Beginning/Middle/End
• Introduce the Story
• Plan a Narrative

Graphic Organizer: Personal Narrative

In this assignment, students plan and write a Personal Narrative. The narrative should be about a single important experience. Students use a Personal Narrative Planner to help them plan their narratives. Students describe their experience in detail, including a description of their thoughts and feelings. After completing their Planner, students draft their Personal Narrative, using a first-person voice and bringing their experience to life with vivid details and sensory language.

• Ask and Answer Questions
• Use Narrative Techniques
• Begin a Narrative
• Elaborate (Narr)
• Add Meaning (Narr)
• Establish Point of View

Graphic Organizer: Short Story

In this assignment, students plan and write a Short Story. The Short Story can be fictional or based on something that really happened. Students use a Short Story Map, a graphic organizer that will help them diagram their stories. Students map their characters, plot, and setting; describe the story’s climax; and tell how the climax is resolved. Then students draft their Short Stories, using their Story Maps to organize their plot elements and ideas.

• Connect the Ending

Graphic Organizer: Memoir

In this assignment, students plan and draft a Memoir, a nonfiction personal account in which students describe a challenging personal event and how they overcame the challenge. Students use the Memoir Planner to plan their Memoir by establishing the situation with details about the characters, the setting, and the events that took place, Then students draft their Memoir, describing the experience, using sensory details and vivid language to describe the mood. In their conclusion, students reflect on the experience and leave readers with a final thought.

• Establish a Situation
• Entertain & Inform

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