A fishbone map (sometimes called a herringbone map) is a type of graphic organizer that is used to explore the many aspects or effects of a complex topic, helping the student to organize their thoughts in a simple, visual way. The use of color helps make a fishbone map clearer and easier to interpret.

If the topic at hand involves investigating attributes associated with a single, complex topic, and then obtaining more details on each of these ideas, use a fishbone diagram as your graphic organizer. The fishbone diagram is like a spider map, but it works for more complex topics - topics that require more details to be enumerated.

The process of creating fishbone diagram helps the student focus on the topic, requires the student to review what they already know in order to organize that knowledge, and helps the student to monitor their growing comprehension of the topic. It also helps point out the areas where the student must investigate more (where the fishbone is difficult to fill out).

Examples of Fishbones: For example, a fishbone diagram can be used to prepare for a writing assignment; the student must concentrate on the main topic, list the big ideas concerning the topic, and think of the attributes/qualities/functions/effects associated with each of these ideas.

Another example is to use a fishbone map to explores the implications of improved farming methods or a new scientific discovery - or any other cause-and-effect scenario.

Printouts:

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with four ribs (each with 2 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with four ribs (each with 3 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with four ribs (each with 4 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with four ribs (each with 5 levels of detail).

Fish Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishy fishbone diagram with four ribs (each with 2 levels of detail).

Fish Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishy fishbone diagram with four ribs (each with 3 levels of detail).

Fish Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishy fishbone diagram with four ribs (each with 4 levels of detail).

Fish Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishy fishbone diagram with four ribs (each with 5 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with six ribs (each with 2 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with six ribs (each with 3 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with six ribs (each with 4 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with eight ribs (each with 3 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with eight ribs (each with 4 levels of detail).

Fishbone Diagram Printout A fishbone diagram with eight ribs (each with 5 levels of detail).