Macmillan Education Australia 2012
Fishbone diagram
A Fishbone diagram is an analysis tool that provides a systematic way of viewing effects and the causes that create or
contribute to those effects. It helps students to sort out complex thoughts and ideas about a topic. The fishbone diagram
promotes detailed thinking and is a way to organise facts in a methodical way. Because of the function of the fishbone
diagram, it may be referred to as a cause and effect diagram.
The topic is written along the spine of the fish, each large bone is labelled with a major category of the topic, and researched
material and details are added on the smaller bones. Using the information from the diagram, a final product can be
created. Another way to use the diagram is to have students write major questions to be investigated along the large bones
and then researched answers to the questions on the finer bones.
An alternative way to use this diagram is to incorporate a different de Bono thinking hat at the end of each large bone to
direct students' thinking in problem-based learning.
Topic: Date: Name:
Fishbone diagram
Topic:
Topic: Date: Name:
Fishbone diagram
Topic:
Topic: Date: Name:
Fishbone diagram
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