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Utilizing Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers are some of the best pre-writing tools any author can use. They allow authors to list everything about their stories in a clear, cohesive manner before they are being written. Different types of stories require different types of graphic organizers and longer, more complex stories often require more than one type. They allow authors to keep track of even the smallest details of their stories without having to go back and painstakingly reread anything.
Decision Making Model
Decision making models are ways of organizing choices so that the best decision is made. Pros and cons of possible decisions are listed so that people can gauge all possible outcomes before an actual decision is reached on anything.
Character Map
A character map helps to keep track of a character’s traits, thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. For stories with multiple characters, keeping track of their actions and motivations can be difficult. Listing them as reference points makes it easier to keep track of them. This helps the users make decisions on what should happen with them later.
Main Idea Pyramid
Main idea pyramids are designed to help people remember important details of a story or character. The most important fact – the moral of the story or the name of the character – is placed at the top. Then, as they go down the pyramid, supporting details are filled into the spaces below. This helps connect smaller ideas to the “bigger picture.”
Question/Answer Chart
With question and answer charts, people first ask a question about an idea or story. Then, in the space next to it, they put down the answer. Once again, this helps solidify and clarify a story’s main ideas.
Story Map
Story maps help people keep track of their entire story. They list factors like where and when a story is taking place, what main morals and ideas are going through a story, what conflicts occur, and who’s involved. The best ones even list how the story will be resolved. Everything about a story can be maintained in a story map.
Venn Diagrams
Venn diagrams are used to show all possible relations between a certain set of things. For instance, what do apples and onions have in common? They’re round. Basically, facts are filled in so that it’s possible to see where certain traits or characteristics inter-lay with each other and what traits are different from each other.
Sequence Chain
Sequence chains are used so that people can keep track of the order of events in a story. This helps them keep a storyline organized. The chart starts with a simple event that then leads to the next event, and then the next, and so on, until a conclusion is reached.
Additional Resources
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