What is a writing organizer?
A writing organizer is a planning page used before a draft to help sort ideas and decide how they fit together. The paragraph-writing page plans a focused paragraph, the opinion page connects a position with support, and the concept web branches related ideas from a topic. Writers can use notes from the page when they begin composing.
How do you organize a paragraph?
Start by naming the paragraph's topic sentence, then gather supporting ideas and add an explanation or evidence for each. The paragraph-writing organizer also leaves room for a closing sentence. The four-square page uses an opening box, three support boxes, and a closing strip. Writers can use either page to plan the parts before drafting in their own words.
What is a paragraph planner?
A paragraph planner is another name for a page that helps arrange ideas before writing one paragraph. The paragraph-writing organizer separates a topic sentence, three supporting ideas with explanations or evidence, and a closing sentence. Four-square places an opening in one box, support in three boxes, and the close in a strip, giving the same broad task a different layout.
What are the types of writing organizers?
No official catalogue settles the types of writing organizers, and references arrange them in different ways. This page groups the printables under four headings: paragraph planners and idea organizers; genre planners; evidence, summary, and research writing; and writing paper for drafting. A separate paragraph section helps readers compare one-paragraph planning with idea generation.
Are these writing organizers free to download as PDFs?
Yes. All 14 are free to download, and no sign-up or registration is needed. Every one of the pages has PDF files for US Letter and A4 paper, along with a high-resolution PNG. Open the page for the organizer you want and select a format for printing or viewing. The collection includes both planning sheets and writing paper.
Do the writing organizers include completed examples?
Five of the 14 printables have a completed example. The names are Claim-Evidence-Reasoning, Text Evidence, Summary, and Essay Outline; Research Notes and Source Organizer is the fifth. The other pages do not list a completed example. To check a specific printable, look for its “Completed example” section on that page.
How can students use a writing organizer without writing the whole draft in the boxes?
Write brief words or phrases in the spaces, then say how those notes fit together in complete sentences. After that, draft on lined paper or another writing page so the organizer remains a plan. If the printable has a completed example, compare its use of the sections with your own notes. Keep only details that serve the piece you intend to write.
