21st Century Skills: procedural text, appropriate kind of texts – Flashcards

___ ___: A text that explains or describes a process, Specifies the steps needed for completing something. "How-to writing". Consider length. An emergency one should be shorter than a piece meant for leisure reading.

_____: Making something clear to your readers so they don't wonder what is meant. Consider the audience, the purpose, and the context (how/where the audience will use the reading) Adjust the reading to the audience. The technicality of the piece will vary. You'll use a lot of jargon with mechanics, but not a lot with the general public. Consider the reading level. Kindergarten vs. teenagers vs doctors. Consider visuals. Experts might not need as much.

_______: An acronym that stands for: Headings. Acts as signposts for the document. You likely look at headings in a procedural document to find what you're looking for. Access. Aids and understanding. Using correct reading level for your audience. Determining what technicality to use. Typography. Bold. Underlining. Capital letters. Indicates importance of the text. Space. White space promotes readability to give the reader's eye a break.

_____ of a Paper: Color. What works together? Placement. Going left to right. Sort of in a "Z" pattern. If you put the important info in the upper left and the lower right, it'll give your audience a little break. Balance and contrast.

What is a procedural text? A. a document explaining the importance of safety in the workplace B. a manual that describes how a machine is constructed C. a document that gives directions on how to perform a task or operation D. a manual offering advice on how best to use a product or service

What is the "Z" pattern in design? A. the creation of a design pattern of intertwining Zs B. placing important information at the top left or lower right C. placing important information a the top right or lower left D. putting charts, graphs, or images only at the top or bottom

Things to Consider when Writing ______: The audience and circumstance. Make it appropriate for both. Introduce the topic. What will and will not be covered. Use commands. Tell the writer how to do something. Omit needless words. Keep the direction short and to the point. Proceed in chronological order. Or by the level of importance depending on the topic. Use number or bullets depending on if your ordering it by importance or chronologically. Clarify with brief notes if needed.

First thing to do when thinking of the procedural document: _____ ______ Which is identifying the steps in the process. Breaking down large steps into smaller ones.

Writing Good ______. Introduce topic and each section. If it's a document meant for emergencies, make it the intro short. Provide supplemental materials. (a table of contents, glossary with terms if you're using technical language the audience might not understand, index, a troubleshooting guide) Use design elements. HATS, color, balance and contrast, graphics, layout.

Try Your _____ Out: Have someone observe and take notes of the directions you've described. Question the participants. Do you need more instructions or details?

____ ____ for Your Directions: Ask people: Missing steps? Easy to follow? Accurate AND helpful visual? Correct labels? Suggested improvements?

What do you do in a task analysis? A. break down large steps in a process into smaller steps and then put them in sequence B. analyze the difficulty of a task and decide if it's age appropriate C. perform the task exactly as the instructions specify D. observe others performing the task and evaluate their success

What are "supplementals" in a procedural text? A. additional parts that will enhance performance B. additional instructions for beginning or advanced users C. a separate fee paid by users who would like more support D. a troubleshooting guide, FAQs, index, or glossary

What adjustments should be made to a text originally created for high school students, but now intended for 4th graders? a) No changes will be needed. b) Use simpler language and sentence structures. c) Eliminate visuals and graphics. d) Add more vivid descriptions.

Which of the following is a design element that should be considered when creating a procedural text? a) task analysis b) usability test c) use of color d) sequencing

What is the purpose of a task analysis? a) to find out how difficult a task is b) to break the task down into smaller steps c) to create a challenging set of instructions d) to analyze how well someone can follow directions

Aprons.—These are made of a variety of materials, and are applied to various uses. The aprons used for common purposes, are made of white, blue, brown, checked, and sometimes of black linen; nankeen, stuff, and print, are also employed. The width is generally one breadth of the material, and the length is regulated by the height of the wearer. Dress aprons are, of course, made of[39] finer materials—cambric, muslin, silk, satin, lace, clear and other kinds of muslin, &c., and are generally two breadths in width, one of which is cut in two, so as to throw a seam on each side, and leave an entire breadth for the middle. Aprons of all kinds are straight, and either plaited or gathered on to the band or stock at the top. Those with only one breadth, are hemmed at the bottom with a broad hem; those with two breadths, must be hemmed at the sides likewise. The band should be from half a nail to a nail broad; its length is to be determined by the waist of the wearer. It should be fastened at the back, with hooks and eyelet holes. To some aprons, pockets are attached, which are either sewed on in front, or at the back, and a slit made in the apron to correspond with them. The slit, or opening of the pocket is to be hemmed neatly, or braided, as may be most desirable. In some kinds of aprons, bibs are introduced, which are useful to cover the upper part of the dress. Their size must be determined by the taste of the person who is to wear them. These instructions appear in a book written in 1844. What could be done to make these instructions easier to follow? I. including visuals II. numbering the steps III. using common language a) I only b) II only c) II and III d) I, II, and III

Why must the audience be considered when creating a procedural text? a) to help determine word choice b) to assist in choosing a font c) to determine what will be underlined d) to provide balance and contrast

The study of what a person must do in order to accomplish a specific task is called __________. a) a task analysis b) a usability study c) HATS d) typography

What is the most important reason to consider typography when creating a procedural text? a) It provides white space around the text. b) It makes the document look nice. c) It adds variety to the document. d) It helps the reader find important information.

Instructions within procedural texts should be phrased as __________. a) questions b) descriptive phrases c) commands d) complex sentences

How might an instruction manual designed for troubleshooting differ from an instruction booklet designed for improving performance in a skill? a) The troubleshooting manual will have more pictures than the booklet; the booklet will be text heavy. b) The troubleshooting manual will be shorter and more concise; the booklet will be more descriptive and complex. c) The troubleshooting manual will have more steps described in extensive detail; the booklet will use more pictures. d) The troubleshooting manual will use more bolding of words; the instruction manual will read like a nonfiction text.

Procedural texts include which kinds of texts? a) nonfiction stories b) instruction manuals c) fiction about machinery d) descriptions of places

Which organizational type is most appropriate for a procedural text? a) order of importance from most to least b) order of importance from least to most c) chronological order d) spatial order

In addition to making sure your writing is clear, which consideration is also important in creating a procedural text? a) the purpose of the text b) the cost of the item c) the inclusion of supplements d) the inclusion of a complex diagram

Which transitional word or phrase shows a sequential relationship among ideas? A. because B. although C. for example D. finally

An essay listing personal experiences from past to present as evidence is using which type of organizational structure? A. chronological B. part to whole C. order of importance D. compare and contrast

Which of the following is sign of good word choice? A. unclear B. concise C. irrelevant D. flow

Which of the Six Traits evaluates the rhythm and flow of writing? A. organization B. word choice C. sentence fluency D. conversations

Which of the following is not a technique used to combine short and choppy sentences? A. synonym B. conjunction C. appositive phrase D. rearrangement