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Different kinds of writing in D&T
'Think-it' : Instructional Texts
'Think-it' : Instructional Texts
Instructional texts are found everywhere in all walks of life, from car owners manuals, through recipes to how to build the latest LEGO contraption. In D&T you are required to listen to instructions all the time. Often it can be the difference between carrying out a practical task safely and causing an injury to yourself or someone else.
These resources will help you learn about what makes a good set of instructions.
You will learn about, logic, clarity, imperative (bossy) verbs, and sequencing. Below you will also find examples of literacy exercises which your teachers may ask you to complete in-class or at home.
Which of these instruction sets is 'best'?
Which of these instruction sets is 'best'?
'Plan it'
'Plan it'
'Chunk-it'
'Chunk-it'
Use this template to help you plan out a draft of the instructional text BEFORE you write the final version. This is useful for thinking in a logical, sequential (ordered) way. It is also useful for planning the special vocabulary and terminology you will use.
Click here to download a copy to your own drive for online editing.
You should also make use of 'word maps' to help you make sense of any new or unfamiliar words you're learning. Click the word map link to go to a page with lots of help resources.
Use a 'word map' to help you understand the keywords you are using.
'Bloom's Taxonomy' Sentence Starters
'Bloom's Taxonomy' Sentence Starters
Bloom's Taxonomy is a tool teachers often use to help tease out more in depth thinking from students during lessons. You can use this too when writing about a topic. It is particularly useful when putting together an argument for or against something. We start on the left-hand-side by choosing a 'starting' set of sentence starters. As we develop the piece of writing we move to the right hand side. Simply pick and choose a sentence starter that you like and you think 'fits' what you want to say. Have a go, you will become a more confident writer.
Using 'connectives' to joins sentences in interesting ways
Using 'connectives' to joins sentences in interesting ways
There are many simple ways of joining sentences together that make your writing more interesting to read. Here are just some of them. This is a multi page slideshow so just click on the image to move the slide forwards. As with all Google Slides, click on the settings 'gear' icon to change the speed, pause or put it on a loop.
Use D&T terminology and keywords
Use D&T terminology and keywords
It is especially important that when writing about technology, we use appropriate specialist terminology. Not only will this help build your vocabulary but it will also help ensure that you write in a specific, unambiguous way (writing that's meaning can't be confused).
'Do it'
'Do it'
Here are a selection of 'writing to instruct' exercises which your teacher may use in class with you to help you practice.
Instructional text tasks
Instructional text tasks
D&T life skills 'how to' tasks
D&T life skills 'how to' tasks
Instructional text tasks
Instructional text tasks
Graphics 'how to' tasks
Graphics 'how to' tasks
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