Grade by Grade
D. Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts · Writing with Purpose: Research, Argument, Story and Media

Organizing Content for Form, Genre and Medium

D1.4 D1.5 A1.1About 50 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can classify and sequence ideas and research notes, keeping only what is relevant.
  • I can choose a text structure (such as problem and solution or compare and contrast) that suits my purpose.
  • I can organize the same content in different ways for different media: an outline, a site map, a run sheet or a storyboard.
  • I can explain and compare how planning strategies and tools helped me.

Words to know

text structure
The way information is organized: chronological, cause and effect, compare and contrast, problem and solution, or description.
relevant
Directly connected to your purpose and focus.
formal outline
A plan that uses Roman numerals (I, II), capital letters (A, B) and numbers (1, 2) to show main ideas, supporting points and details.
site map
A diagram showing the pages of a website and how they link together.
run sheet
A timed plan for an audio or video show, listing each segment in order.
signal words
Transition words that show the structure, such as as a result, however, one solution is.
reflect
To think carefully about what you did, what worked and what you would change.

Remember from Grade 6

In Grade 6 you cut what wasn't relevant, classified notes into subtopics, sequenced them in a logical order (time order, order of importance, cause and effect, problem and solution, compare and contrast), and chose a tool such as a web, an outline, a timeline, a flow chart or a storyboard.

In Grade 7 you will organize synthesized research from several sources, write formal outlines, and plan for different media: a web page isn't read like an essay, and a podcast isn't read at all!

Organize by idea, not by source

After synthesizing, it's tempting to write Source A says... Source B says.... Instead, organize by idea. Each paragraph is about one subtopic, and facts from different sources mix inside it.

Match the structure to the purpose

The table below shows five structures. The same notes can often fit more than one structure. Choose the one that serves your purpose.

If your purpose is to...try this structuresignal words
tell events or steps in orderchronologicalfirst, then, by 1900, finally
explain why something happenscause and effectbecause, as a result, therefore, this leads to
show how things are alike and differentcompare and contrastsimilarly, both, however, unlike, on the other hand
persuade people to fix somethingproblem and solutionthe problem is, one solution, this would help
help readers picture somethingdescriptionfor example, in addition, such as, beside
Choosing a text structure, with signal words that show readers the structure.
chrono-logicalcause andeffectcompare andcontrastproblem andsolutiondescription123whysobothproblemsolution
A small picture for each text structure: steps in order, causes leading to effects, overlapping comparisons, a problem with its solution, and details around one subject.
Worked example

Let's build a formal outline using problem and solution

Purpose: persuade the principal to fix the overflowing lost-and-found. Notes (random order): (a) the bin overflows by January; (b) parents spend money replacing mittens and coats; (c) label clothing with names; (d) items are donated if no one claims them; (e) our class could run a monthly lost-and-found fashion show at assemblies; (f) the bin is in a dark corner no one passes; (g) move the bin beside the front office; (h) the school was built in 1965.

  1. Cut what isn't relevant: (h) is true but doesn't help the purpose.
  2. Classify: Problem: (a), (b), (d), (f). Solutions: (c), (e), (g).
  3. Sequence the problem from what people see to why it matters: (a) overflows → (f) why: no one passes it → (b), (d) the cost to families and lost belongings.
  4. Sequence solutions from easiest to most creative: (g), (c), (e).
  5. Write the formal outline: I. Introduction. Thesis: Three simple changes could empty our lost-and-found. II. The problem - A. The bin overflows by January. - B. It sits in a dark corner no one passes. - C. Families pay to replace items; unclaimed items are given away. III. Solutions - A. Move the bin beside the front office. - B. Remind families to label clothing. - C. Hold a monthly lost-and-found fashion show. IV. Conclusion: call to action.

A clear problem and solution outline: one irrelevant note cut, notes classified, and each section ordered for a reason.

A 5-minute podcast run sheetIntro30 sMain story1.5 minInterview2 minWrap-up1 minEach box is drawn to scale: wider box = more time.
A run sheet organizes audio by time, because listeners can't flip back through pages.
Worked example

Let's organize the same content for three media

Topic: How our town celebrates winter (notes about a winter carnival, skating trails, a snow sculpture contest and a family ski day; all pretend).

  1. Essay (print): a formal outline. Introduction → one paragraph per event in time order (December to March) → conclusion. Readers move from top to bottom.
  2. Web page (screen): a site map. A home page with a short overview and links to four pages, one per event. Readers choose their own path, so each page must make sense on its own, with a clear heading and the date and place.
  3. Podcast (audio): a run sheet. Intro with music (30 s) → main story about the carnival (1.5 min) → interview with a snow sculptor (2 min) → wrap-up with dates (1 min). Listeners can't skim, so say the most important information twice and use spoken signposts: Coming up after the interview...

The content stayed the same; the organization changed to fit each medium and how its audience uses it.

Just for fun

Why did the essay break up with the web page?

It wanted someone who would read it from top to bottom, not just click around!

Reflect: compare your tools

After planning, explain and compare:

  • Which strategy or tool helped me most this time? Why?
  • Which helped less, and what will I use next time?
  • How did it make my text better?

Example: The synthesis grid helped me see that two sources disagreed, which I wouldn't have noticed in my notebook. The formal outline was more useful than a web, because I could see the order of my paragraphs. Next time I'll outline before I start drafting instead of halfway through.

Hands-on activity

Same notes, three shapes

You need: 12 to 15 index cards or slips of paper, a pencil, and a table.

  1. Choose a topic you know well: your neighbourhood, a sport, a family recipe or a hobby.
  2. Write one idea per card. Remove any cards that aren't relevant.
  3. Shape 1, essay: arrange the cards into a formal outline with I, II, III and A, B, C. Copy it onto paper.
  4. Shape 2, web page: rearrange the cards into a site map: one home page and 3 or 4 linked pages. Draw boxes and lines.
  5. Shape 3, podcast: rearrange into a run sheet for a 3-minute episode. Give each segment a time. The times must add up to 3 minutes.
  6. Reflect: write two sentences comparing the tools. Which shape was easiest to plan? Which do you think your audience would like best? Why?

Your turn

1

Which text structure fits: Explain why the river floods every spring.

2

Which text structure fits: Compare snowshoes and cross-country skis for a winter hike.

3

Give two signal words for problem and solution.

4

Why should a synthesis be organized by idea instead of by source?

5

What do Roman numerals show in a formal outline?

6

What tool would you use to plan a website, and why?

7

Name one way organizing a podcast is different from organizing an essay.

More practice: warm-up

1

What does relevant mean?

2

Name the five text structures.

3

Which signal word shows contrast: however or first?

4

What is a run sheet?

5

Which structure fits a biography: chronological or compare and contrast?

More practice: on your own

1

Classify these notes about Why we should keep the outdoor rink open longer under two headings, and cut one that isn't relevant: (a) kids use it every evening; (b) the rink was flooded by volunteers; (c) skating is good exercise; (d) the rink is 30 m long; (e) families meet neighbours there.

2

Put these sections of a persuasive outline in order: Conclusion and call to action; Reason 2; Introduction with thesis; Reason 1; Counterargument and response.

3

Your podcast run sheet has: intro 1 min, interview 3 min, wrap-up 1 min. Your episode must be 4 minutes. What would you change?

4

Explain why each page of a website should make sense on its own.

5

Write a two-sentence reflection comparing a web (mind map) and a formal outline.

Challenge

1

The same notes about electric buses could be organized as compare and contrast (electric vs. diesel buses) or problem and solution (air pollution near schools, and electric buses as a solution). Which would you choose for a letter to the school board asking for electric buses? Justify.

2

Write a formal outline (I to IV with A, B under the main sections) for an informational report on How beavers change their environment.

3

Write a reflection (3 to 4 sentences) explaining and comparing two planning tools you have used, and how they helped you improve as a writer.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Which structure best fits Why did the power go out during the ice storm?

2.

Which is the best way to organize a synthesis?

3.

Which tool best plans a website?

4.

Which signal words show compare and contrast?

5.

In a formal outline, what does II. A. show?

6.

Which is a strong reflection on planning?

For parents and teachers

Big ideas (D1.4, D1.5): Grade 7 students classify and sequence ideas and collected information using appropriate strategies and tools, and identify and organize relevant content for the chosen form, genre and medium. They explain and compare how the strategies and tools helped them develop ideas and organize content, and how they helped them improve as text creators. This also builds transferable skills such as critical thinking and communication (A1.1).

How to help at home:

  • Ask: What is your structure? Why that one?
  • Look at a real website together and sketch its site map.
  • Listen to a short podcast for kids and notice the segments and spoken signposts.

Common difficulties:

  • Keeping interesting but irrelevant facts. Ask: Does this help your purpose?
  • Outline numbering confusion. Remember: I, II for big sections; A, B for points; 1, 2 for details.
  • Vague reflections ("it helped"). Ask how and compared with what?

The lost-and-found and winter-celebration examples are pretend.