Scientific and Technical Texts2014-2015

Lesson ObjectivesRead and analyze scientific and technical text

Apply vocabulary strategies to understanding unfamiliar words

Compare and contrast two scientific or technical texts

Use information from text and graphic features to answer questions

Discussion QuestionsWhat are scientific texts? What are technical texts?

What elements are common to both scientific and technical texts?

How are scientific and technical text like other nonfiction texts? How are they different?

Key Terms Activator: make a T-chart with, label know and don’t know, write the number of the key terms under the label that fits your knowledge of the word.

1. Academic vocabulary

2. Line graph 3.Model 4. Bar graph 5. Circle graph

6. Diagram 7. Domain-specific vocabulary

8. Flowchart 9. General-to-specific structure

10. Glossary

11. Graphic feature 12. Part-to-whole structure

13. Point of view 14. Purpose 15. Scientific text

16. Sequential structure

17. Spatial structure

18. table 19. technical text

Getting the Idea Authors of scientific and technical texts write with the purpose, or intention, to inform or explain. They often present information without expressing a personal point of view, or position on the topic. A scientific text explains a scientific topic, such as the life cycle of a frog or the rings of Saturn. Science magazines, science textbooks, and experiments are example of scientific texts. Technical text provide detailed information about a specific topic or how to perform a specific task. User manuals, instructions, brochures, and recipes are examples of technical text.

Getting the Idea Scientific and technical texts include domain-specific vocabulary, or words that have to do with a specialized topic. To define these words, the author may include a glossary, which is an alphabetical list of terms and their definitions in a book. The author may also use different techniques to define words within the text.

Define words by… Example

definition Pasteurization is a process in which milk is briefly heated to a high temperature to kill bacteria.

example Many sailors use celestial bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars, to navigate.

explanation Sauté the onions in a little oil. Keep the pan on medium heat and lightly toss or stir the onions as they cook.

footnotes A coral reef is a habitat(1) uniquely well suited to the parrot fish.(1)habitat: the place where a living thing lives

Use context cluesHighlighted Term Sentence Clues What it means

organism There are millions of different kinds of organisms in the world. An organism is a living thing. Scientists study organisms to find out how they live.

microorganism When microscopes were invented, scientists found organisms that had never been seen before. Organisms that cannot be seen with the eyes are microscopic. Most microorganism have one cell.

Getting the Idea Where in our classroom can we find scientific or technical texts?

Text Structure Like most nonfiction texts, scientific and technical texts contain a lot of information. To make the information easier to understand and remember, authors organize their facts and details using various text structures. In addition to common structures, such as compare and contrast, cause and effect, and problem and solution, authors may use: sequential structure, general-to-specific structure, part-to-whole structure, and spatial structure.

Text Structure A sequential structure presents ideas and concepts in the order in which they happen. In science and technical text author may use time-order words or show a process with numbered steps.

Time orders words: first, next, last, finally ……

Text Structure A general-to-specific structure begins with a general statement or idea and then supports the statement with specific examples.

Text Structure In a part-to-whole structure the facts and details lead to one main idea or concept.

Text Structure A spatial structure describes things in terms of where they are. It uses location words. Descriptions often use a spatial structure.

Examples:

top

bottom

front

back

north

west

Text Structure: Common Errors The structure of a scientific or technical text can be difficult to identify because a particular section or paragraph might have a different structure than the text as a whole. For example, one paragraph might rely on a cause-and-effect structure even though the entire text is organized sequentially. The cause-and-effect words in that paragraph mislead the reader into thinking the overall structure is cause and effect rather than sequential. Remember to consider the structure of the entire text. Write a brief outline or complete a graphic organizer that summarizes the text as a way to visualize the overall structure.

Graphic Features

Graphic Features A circle graph is a drawing that shows the parts of a whole.

How does a circle graph show information?Why might scientific texts use circle graphs?According to the circle graph, which kind of weather is most common in July? How can you tell?

Graphic Features A model is a picture or object that represents a much larger, real- life object. For example, a globe is a model of Earth.

Graphic Features A diagram is a drawing that shows and labels the different parts of something.

Graphic Features A flowchart shows steps in a process or how things relate to one another by using arrows or connecting lines. Life cycles and food chains are often illustrated using flowcharts.

Graphic Features Bar graphs and line graphs use bars or lines to compare and contrast ideas or show how ideas relate to one another.

Graphic Features A table uses columns and rows to organize information.

Language Spotlight: academic vocabulary

Academic vocabulary is made up of words that are traditionally used in school discussions and textbooks. Sometimes, you can use context to figure out the meaning of academic vocabulary. Read the sentences below. The underline words are examples of academic vocabulary. What do these terms mean?

When you perform a science investigation, you first make a hypothesis in the form of a question. A hypothesis is an idea that can be tested.

What additional academic vocabulary words might you use when doing a science investigation?

SummarizerJournal Prompt: How do you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or throw a football? Write a technical text of four to eight sentences that explain how to complete the task. Add one graphic feature to illustrate.