Name:_______________________________
Functional Texts Workstations:
Dictionary-- A dictionary is one of the most functional texts that are available for use. Dictionaries not
only provide the definitions for words, but also can provide the word origin, pronunciation, and part of
speech. Look at the following example: expose’(-z), v, leave unprotected [F. exposer,]. In this example
the pronunciation is indicated by the apostrophe, putting emphasis on the second syllable. The “s”
makes a “z” sound which is indicated by the parentheses. The part of speech is verb. The word origin is
French.
Directions: For the following words, I want you to locate SPECIFICALLY what I am asking for for each
word (it will be either the part of speech, word origin, or pronunciation) and THEN WRITE THE
DEFINITION.
Example: 1. Opportune (Part of Speech) Correct Answer: 1. Opportune, adjective (part of speech),
seasonable, well-timed (definition).
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Atrocious (part of speech)
Autobiography (pronunciation)
Extraneous (word origin)
Preclude (word origin)
Summit (part of speech)
Prestidigitator(pronunciation)
Atlas—The purpose of this functional text is to give a thorough look at a geographical region through
maps.
Directions: Use the atlas provided to answer the following questions:
1.
Locate Memphis, Tennessee (where St. Jude Children’s research hospital is located) and record
the coordinates of the city.
2. Use the scale provided on the map to estimate how many miles it is to travel from Birmingham
to Memphis.
3. Now calculate the cost of fuel for a round-trip journey to Memphis (driving both to Memphis
and back home is round-trip) if you get 25 miles per gallon and gas costs $3.19 per gallon
Thesaurus—another functional text is a thesaurus. A thesaurus is similar to a dictionary in some ways,
but unlike a dictionary, a thesaurus does not give definitions. Instead, a thesaurus gives you alternate
words. The power of a thesaurus lies in its ability to make your writing more precise and accurate.
Directions: For the words below, list at least FIVE WORDS YOU CAN USE INSTEAD OF THE WORD YOU
WERE GIVEN.
Example: 1. Annoy Correct Answer: 1. Annoy—aggravate, badger, bother, displease, harass
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Because
Immense
Stun
Opponent
Look
Beautiful
Nice
Tantrum
Justice
Lazy
Encyclopedia—these functional texts are used for research. Your task for this station is to look up
the entry on “Cancer” and write a summary of the article. Answer Who, What, When, Where, Why,
and How in complete sentences.
Phone Book—I would think the answer to why these texts would be obvious, but do you know that
they are divided into business, residential, and government sections?
On your own paper, I want you to complete the following activities:
1.
Write down a phone number for a Dentist in Alabaster or Calera. Include the name, telephone
number, and street address (if listed).
2. Write down a telephone number and address (if listed) for someone with the last name
Johnson.
3. Look in the government section of the phone book (this will only be in the BIG phone books, so
wait your turn) and find the listing for one of the Army National Guard Recruiting Offices. Write
the address (if listed) and the phone number.
Newspaper—The newspaper is a great functional text to keep you aware of events in your community,
weather, sports, and even items for sale.
1. Look through the Shelby County Reporter. Find the Opinions Section. Read the editorial
articles. Summarize ONE of the articles in the “You Say” section in 2-3 complete sentences.
THEN TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOU AGREE WITH THE PERSON AND WHY OR WHY NOT.
NOTICE THAT THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT YOU MUST DO HERE.
2. Now, look in the Classified Ads that are in the Shelby County Reporter. Find one job that you
would consider doing, and write down all the information listed about that job, including the
telephone number.
Biographies are also a good source for research because they provide information to the reader about a
specific person.
Directions: Using the biographies on Abraham Lincoln, look up the Gettysburg Address. (Hint: use the
index to help you locate it). Now fill in the blanks of the following:
The world will little note nor long __________what we say here, but it can never
forget what they did here. It is for us the __________rather to be dedicated here
to the ____________work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly
advanced. It is rather for us to be here ___________ to the great task remaining
before us--that from these honored _______ we take increased devotion to that
cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion--that we here
highly resolve that these dead shall not have _______in vain, that this nation
under God shall have a new birth of ___________, and that government __the
people, __the people, ___the people shall not perish from the earth."