9. Using Outlines and Graphic Organiser

Objectives

When you have finished this section, you will be able to

§  understand the value of employing outlines and other graphic organizers in pre-writing;

§  apply these strategies in pre-writing;

§  move from pre-writing to writing;

§  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 for expository writing:
http://www.greatsource.com/iwrite/students/s_expos_graph_org.html

3)      Infographics for the writing classroom:
http://learni.st/users/maggiemessitt/boards/3840-infographics-for-the-writing-classroom-the-basics#/users/maggiemessitt/boards/3840-infographics-for-the-writing-classroom-the-basics

4)      Tips for writing the expository essay:
http://www.time4writing.com/writing-resources/expository-essay/

5)       Clear linear outline for an expository essay:

www.sbcc.edu/clrc/files/wl/.../StructureofaGeneralExpositoryEssay.pdf

Key Concepts

§  Pre-writing

§  Outlining

§  Graphic Organizers

§  Infographics

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.      Finish Task C and bring your summary to the next tutorial.

2.     Do Task D, and be prepared to share it within your class. (Optional)

   

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?

3.      If you had to prepare an outline for an essay that you were writing in class

        tomorrow, what model would you use? Why?

4.     In what way does an infographic compare and contrast with a graphic organizer?

B.    Developing a graphic organizer for a short essay

Looking at the following essay prompt,  

 

§  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.

Table 1: Graphic Organizer for Essay Prompt

Controlling ideas		Main Topic Focus/Thesis: 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			Evaluation
		Benefits	Drawbacks
Issues of equity		One common language enables companies within different countries to trade more easily.	It might disadvantage people in the country whose dominant language is not the common language.

C.    Using an outline as you pre-write for an article summary

1.    After reading the various articles in Reading Articles Set 1, choose one that you

        would like to summarize. 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.

D.    Creating an infographic

If you have time, create an infographic related to either your summary information

or connected to another body of information (your own interests or an academic

topic that you are studying in another module). Be prepared to share your ideas.