Flowcharts represent information that is also serial, but there are discrete steps, or steps that must be completed in order. When all the steps in a flowchart are dependent on the previous one, and when the last step is connected to the first step, then a cyclical organizer is best. A hierarchy is also like a flowchart, except each subordinate step may have more than one branch. A second class of graphic organizers effectively illustrates materials having a single main concept. Information related to the main concept is included on either side of, or around the idea.
Examples consist of continua, argumentation structures, and spider maps.
A continuum looks similar to a timeline, however it is not serial. Instead, continua represent the range of possibilities represented by a concept. They are well suited for material that contains many gradations between two extremes. Figure 6 represents a sample continuum. They represent the logical evaluation of an argument, presenting support for drawing a particular conclusion.