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USING OUTLINES & OTHER GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS IN PRE-WRITING
Objectives
When you have finished this section, you will be able to
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understand the value of employing outlines and other graphic organizers in prewriting;
apply these strategies in pre-writing;
move from pre-writing to writing (by creating a summary);
understand the basics of creating an infographic .
Resource List
1) Models of outlines and other graphic organizers:
http://projectwritemsu.wikispaces.com/file/view/graphic+organizers.pdf
2) Graphic organizers: http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
(Optional)
a. http://olc.spsd.sk.ca/de/pd/instr/strats/graphicorganizers/index.html
b. Youtube has videos that can help you understand what a graphic organizer is,
what it’s purpose is, and how you can create your own with PowerPoint titled,
“What is a graphic organizer?” and “How to make a graphic organizer.”
3) Infographics for the writing classroom:
http://learni.st/users/maggiemessitt/boards/3840-infographics-for-the-writingclassroom-the-basics#/users/maggiemessitt/boards/3840-infographics-for-thewriting-classroom-the-basics
and
http://piktochart.com (Look at the Gallery’s “User Showcase” page for many
examples of how information can be displayed as Infographics.)
4) Tips for writing the expository essay:
http://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/expository-essay/
5) Clear example of a linear outline for an expository essay:
http://www.aims.edu/student/online-writing-lab/process/outline
Key Concepts
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Pre-writing
Outlining
Graphic Organizers
Infographics
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Procedure
A. Before Class
1. Survey the websites and pdf files provided on the Resource List above.
2. Please read Resource 4 in detail. You can also take this opportunity to search for
your own related readings from the Internet or other sources.
3. Answer the questions in Task A
4. Do Task B
B. In Class
1. With a partner or in a small group, compare your answers for Task A. Be prepared
to share your answers with the rest of class.
2. Share the graphic organizer you have prepared and critically reflect on it in a small
group. Be prepared to discuss in class.
3. Begin Task C, sharing your concerns and your progress with your tutor and with a
small group. If you can finish by the end of the tutorial, share with your group. If
not, finish after class.
C. After Class
1. Prepare your graded Reader Response for the next tutorial. It should be between
350 and 400 words and constitutes 15% of your final grade.
Tasks
A. Discussion
1. What is the value of using graphic organizers in pre-writing?
2. Which models, if any, have you used in the past?
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3. Compare and contrast graphic organizers and infographics by completing the chart
below.
Compare and
Graphic organizers
Infographics
Contrast
Purposes
(What is the main reason
for using one?)
Functions
(What does using one
accomplish?)
Uses
(What is the optimum
purpose for using one?)
4. If you had to prepare an outline for an essay that you were writing in class
tomorrow, what model would you use? Why?
B. Developing a graphic organizer for a short essay
Looking at the following essay prompt,
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review the question and identify the relationships between the different key
words in the prompt.
ask yourself, “What are the relationships between the key words?”
fill in the blanks of the graphic organizer in Table 1 below, including developing a
main focus for the thesis. One set of benefits and drawbacks is provided.
Essay Prompt: There are advantages and disadvantages of having an
international language. Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of having an
international language in the era of rampant globalization. Focus on the
linguistic (language-related), cultural, economic, political, social, socio-cultural,
socioeconomic, sociolinguistic, or socio-political dimensions.
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Table 1: Graphic Organizer for Essay Prompt
Main Topic Focus/Thesis:
Controlling
ideas

(Socioeconomic)
Issues of equity
The linguistic influence of one common language on societies
around the world in this era of fast-paced globalization leads to
_________________________ _____________, _____________________________ and
___________________________among nations.
Items to be Contrasted
Benefits
Drawbacks
One common
It might
language
disadvantage
enables
people in the
companies
country whose
within different dominant
countries to
language is not
trade more
the common
easily.
language.
Evaluation
C. Using an outline for an article reader response
1. After looking at various articles in Reading Articles, choose one that you
would like to summarize (or use the one selected by your tutor) and write a
response to. Once you have read through it for general comprehension, read
through it again for detail, pulling out the author’s thesis, the main ideas and the
supporting ideas.
2. Arrange the ideas that you have extracted from the reading and arrange them using
any one of the models for a graphic organizer.
3. Finally, using the information you have extracted from the article and organized
graphically, write a Reader Response (incorporating a Summary) of 350 to 400
words. This is the first draft of the Reader Response that will be evaluated. Please
look at the rubric for the Reader Response (on the website) to make sure that you
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know the criteria by which your summary will be evaluated.
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