A graphic organizer is a tree diagram that consists of vocabulary related to one particular concept. A modified version of a graphic organizer contains empty slots that represent missing information and actively involves students during the reading process as opposed to before or after. This modified graphic organizer can provide both the motivation and the structure necessary to turn inactive readers into active readers. It is motivating because it contains very few words, and those that are included serve as cues to information the student will be expected to search for, read, and write in. Retention is improved because the imposed structure also acts as a cuing device. Finally, it is useful in letting students in on what the teacher considers important in the textbook. Eight steps involved in its use include (1) selecting a portion of the textbook which discusses the concept being taught, (2) listing on index cards all the words that are representative of the concept, (3) arranging the words to show a relationship, (4) transferring that arrangement to paper but substituting empty slots for certain words, (5) copying the completed graphic organizer on the board or overhead transparency, (6) discussing with students the purpose of the organizer, (7) assigning pages in the textbook while reminding students that they are reading to locate the missing information, and (8) discussing the completed organizer with the students. (HOD)