How do you convert a text into a graphic organiser, and a graphic organiser back into a paragraph?

In one line

Converting text to a graphic organiser means extracting key ideas and showing their relationships visually; converting it back means writing a coherent paragraph from the organiser using linking words.

Explained simply

Turning a passage into a mind map is like turning a long voice note into a quick sketch. Turning a sketch back into a paragraph is like explaining the sketch to someone over the phone in full sentences.

Technically, the MU syllabus requires 'summarising text to Graphic Organisers (GO) and vice versa'. It tests comprehension (finding the structure), summarising (choosing key points) and writing (cohesion and coherence).

How it works

1. Text to GO: read the passage and find its main idea.
2. Identify the relationship pattern: comparison, classification, sequence, cycle, cause-effect, time order, levels.
3. Choose the matching organiser (Venn, tree, flow chart, cycle, timeline, matrix, pyramid, mind map).
4. Pick key words and phrases only; drop examples and repetitions unless needed.
5. Draw it with a title, labels and arrows; check that nothing important is missing.
6. GO to text: read the title and structure of the organiser.
7. Write a topic sentence stating the main idea.
8. Expand each box into a sentence, following the organiser's order.
9. Link sentences with transition words that match the relationship: first, next, finally (sequence); similarly, whereas (comparison); therefore (cause-effect).
10. End with a concluding sentence.

Quick example

Given flow chart: Rainwater → collected on rooftop → filtered → stored in tank → used for gardening and flushing. Paragraph: 'Rainwater harvesting is a simple way to conserve water. First, rainwater is collected from the rooftop through pipes. Next, it passes through a filter that removes leaves and dust. The filtered water is then stored in a tank. Finally, the stored water is used for gardening and flushing, which reduces the demand on municipal supply.'

Common mistakes

• Copying full sentences into the boxes instead of key phrases.
• Writing the paragraph as disconnected one-line points without transitions or a topic sentence.
• Adding information that is not in the organiser or the text.

How MU asks it

Asked as 'Convert the passage into a suitable graphic organiser' or 'Write a paragraph based on the given flow chart/Venn diagram' (5 marks each). Marks go for the correct organiser type, key points, neat labelling and title, and for the paragraph: topic sentence, logical order, transitions and conclusion, in 100 to 150 words.