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Thinking Guides for developing comprehension and writing skillsA new taxonomy of cognitive guidance materials [Version 1.1] Created by Paul Main

“With the right approach, even the most complex of tasks can be achieved”

Choosing a Thinking Guide Deciding how to organise your ideas

Generic Thinking Guides

Promoting comprehension and creating writing plans through the key ways we organise knowledge.

What is it?

Predominant way of thinking- Making comparisons

Predominant way of thinking- Chunking information

How is it similar or different?

Predominant way of thinking- Sequencing information

What happened?

Predominant way of thinking- Making causal connections

Type of writing tasks:Explanations and causal accounts

Mind Map

Tree Diagram

Venn Diagram

Diamond 9

Flow Chart

Cycle Diagram

Input - Output Diagram

Fishbone Diagram

Why did it happen?

Type of writing tasks:Chronological recounts and instructions

Type of writing tasks:Discussions and balanced arguments

Type of writing tasks:Descriptions, non-chronological reports and accounts

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Choosing a Thinking Guide Deciding how to organise your ideas

Specific Thinking Guides

Promoting problem solving and critical thinking using specific thinking guides.

Develop Ideas

Main Purpose: To build and use knowledge for solving

problems. For example:

Main purpose: To build and use knowledge

creatively. For example:

Solve Problems

Main Purpose: To look at issues from other angles.

For example:

Different Perspectives

Main Purpose: To methodically think through

new ideas. For example:

Using the Essence

Possible Futures

Knowing Tree

Coming Soon

Thinking Boxes

From a Different Angle

Impact Boxes

Coming Soon

Explore Issues

Type of tasks:Independent enquiry, research tasks, group work, planning, reflection, advanced comprehension.

Main Purpose: To facilitate critical thinking. For

example:

Scamper

Coming Soon

Analyse Situations

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