Boost Your Reading Power: Graphic Organizers

Graphic organizers are a great way to improve reading comprehension. Basically, these tools are visual versions of outlines. They help readers organize information so that it becomes more understandable and more memorable. You're already familiar with some types of graphic organizers: timelines are one, and diagrams such as the one commonly used for the water cycle is another. You can harness the power of graphic organizers to help build reading comprehension!

There are several types of organizers that can be helpful to readers. One is called a web. In this organizer, the central idea of the paragraph, section or chapter is placed in the center of the page. Each of the main ideas is connected around the edge in a circular way, and details that relate to each idea are connected with more lines. The result often looks like a tangled spider's web, hence the name. Another helpful format that has its roots in writing education is the four-square. This diagram has the central idea in the center of the paper in a rectangular box. The paper is divided into four sections (top to bottom and side to side). Each secion represents a supporting idea, and detailed information about the idea goes into each box. Finally, a diagram called "frames" can be used. This organizer poses fill-in-the-blank questions that can be answered from the text. The questions may include things like "The main character of this story is ____" or "The worst problem the characters faced was _______." Nonfiction frames may read something like this: "This passage was about _______" and "The first thing that happened was ________."

As a teacher or parent, you can create graphic organizers to help your young reader get the most out of text. For a struggling reader or a beginner, you can even fill in part of the organizer ahead of time and so guide him or her to filling in the missing information.

You can also use graphic organizers to help yourself with reading. Choose the organizer that works best for you and draw or print it. Now, when you read, fill in the various parts as you go. It will help you to focus on the reading and also to pick out the important bits to remember.

Check on the internet by searching for graphic organizers or using the links below and print out a variety of organizers. Figure out what types of text would work best with each one and try it out. Choose your favorites to use again and again!