Using Graphic Organizers to Understand Text By Barbara Noel

2 Types of Text NarrativeExpository Sample text – Primary Sources: Lewis and Clark Journals Primary sources: Follow in the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark Secondary Sources: From: Retrieved June 3, 2007

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Expository 1. Enumeration 2. Description 3. Sequence 4. Comparison and contrast 5. Cause and Effect 6. Problem and Solution

Enumeration Lists information that is connected such as: –Steps –Ideas Signal / Cue Words –the following –Then –in addition another –furthermore finally –furthermore finally From:

Sample Enumeration Preparing and preserving plants is a time- consuming and demanding process. A specimen has to be spread out properly, then pressed between two sheets of blotting paper. The paper soaks up the moisture from the specimen, drying it out. The specimen must be removed, aired, and placed between fresh sheets until it is completely dry, so it won't rot. Preparing and preserving plants is a time- consuming and demanding process. A specimen has to be spread out properly, then pressed between two sheets of blotting paper. The paper soaks up the moisture from the specimen, drying it out. The specimen must be removed, aired, and placed between fresh sheets until it is completely dry, so it won't rot.

Description Has a main topic and details that draw a picture in the reader’s mind. From:

Sample Description "..... in my walk I Killed a Buck Goat of this Countrey, about the hight of the Grown Deer, its body Shorter the Horns which is not very hard and forks 2/3 up one prong Short the other round & Sharp arched, and is imediately above its Eyes the Colour is a light gray with black behind its ears down its neck, and its face white round its neck, its Sides and rump round its tail which is Short & white: Verry actively made, has only a pair of hoofs to each foot, his brains on the back of his head, his Norstrals large, his eyes like a Sheep he is more like the Antilope or Gazella of Africa than any other Species of Goat." Lewis and Clark As Naturalists "..... in my walk I Killed a Buck Goat of this Countrey, about the hight of the Grown Deer, its body Shorter the Horns which is not very hard and forks 2/3 up one prong Short the other round & Sharp arched, and is imediately above its Eyes the Colour is a light gray with black behind its ears down its neck, and its face white round its neck, its Sides and rump round its tail which is Short & white: Verry actively made, has only a pair of hoofs to each foot, his brains on the back of his head, his Norstrals large, his eyes like a Sheep he is more like the Antilope or Gazella of Africa than any other Species of Goat." Lewis and Clark As NaturalistsLewis and Clark As NaturalistsLewis and Clark As Naturalists

Sequence Shows a series of events Signal / Cue Words –First second third –Until while by last soon then after at that time now during From: ine.com/organizers ine.com/organizers

Sample Sequence By early 1803 Lewis was in Philadelphia. He took crash courses in medicine, botany, zoology, and celestial observation. He studied maps and journals of traders and trappers who had already reached as far up the Missouri River as the Mandan villages in North Dakota. By the time he left Washington he knew as much about the West, and what to do when he got there, as any man in America. Lewis and Clark: Preparations Lewis and Clark: PreparationsLewis and Clark: Preparations

Comparison/ Contrast Describes the characteristics of something as they are similar or different to something else. Signal words – howevereven though –buton the contrary –yetotherwise –despitein comparison –stillon the other hand From:

Sample Comparison/Contrast In temperament Lewis and Clark were opposites. Lewis was introverted, melancholic, and moody; Clark, extroverted, even-tempered and gregarious. The better educated and more refined Lewis, who possessed a philosophical, romantic and speculative mind, was at home with abstract ideas; Clark, of a pragmatic mold, was more of a practical man of action. Each supplied vital qualities which balanced their partnership. Biography of Lewis and Clark In temperament Lewis and Clark were opposites. Lewis was introverted, melancholic, and moody; Clark, extroverted, even-tempered and gregarious. The better educated and more refined Lewis, who possessed a philosophical, romantic and speculative mind, was at home with abstract ideas; Clark, of a pragmatic mold, was more of a practical man of action. Each supplied vital qualities which balanced their partnership. Biography of Lewis and Clark Biography of Lewis and ClarkBiography of Lewis and Clark

Cause/Effect Shows several reasons why something happened Signal / Cue Words for this reasonthus in order toas a result becauseconsequently so thaton account of thereforeaccordingly From:

Problem and Solution To identify a problem and give possible solutions Signal Words – problem solution because cause since as a result so that From:

Sample Problem On June second they arrived at a major fork in the river, in north-central Montana, an estimated 465 river miles upstream from the mouth of the Yellowstone. It shouldn't have been there. No Indian informant had mentioned it. There was not even a hint of it from anybody. Yet it posed the most significant geographical question of the entire Expedition. Which of these rivers was the Missouri? The issue was fraught with danger. They needed to reach the Rockies, find the Shoshoni Indians, get some horses, portage to the head of the Columbia, and reach the Pacific before winter closed in. To choose the wrong route would consume twice the time it would take to correct the mistake, and would, Lewis declared, not only lose them the whole of the present travel season, but "would probably so dishearten the party that it might defeat the expedition altogether." Decision at the Marias On June second they arrived at a major fork in the river, in north-central Montana, an estimated 465 river miles upstream from the mouth of the Yellowstone. It shouldn't have been there. No Indian informant had mentioned it. There was not even a hint of it from anybody. Yet it posed the most significant geographical question of the entire Expedition. Which of these rivers was the Missouri? The issue was fraught with danger. They needed to reach the Rockies, find the Shoshoni Indians, get some horses, portage to the head of the Columbia, and reach the Pacific before winter closed in. To choose the wrong route would consume twice the time it would take to correct the mistake, and would, Lewis declared, not only lose them the whole of the present travel season, but "would probably so dishearten the party that it might defeat the expedition altogether." Decision at the Marias Decision at the MariasDecision at the Marias

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