Scientific and Technical
Texts
2014-2015
Lesson Objectives
Read 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 Questions
What 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-tospecific structure
10. Glossary
11. Graphic feature 12. Part-to-whole
structure
13. Point of view
14. Purpose
15. Scientific text
16. Sequential
structure
18. table
19. technical text
17. Spatial
structure
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 clues
Highlighted Term
Sentence Clues
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.
What it means
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-towhole 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 ……
1.
2.
3.
Text Structure
A general-to-specific structure begins
with a general statement or idea and
then supports the statement with
specific examples.
Organ
tissue
cell
Text Structure
In a part-to-whole structure the
facts and details lead to one
main idea or concept.
Outnumber
the world’s
other living
things
Helps us break
down food
Bacteria
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
A graphic feature is an image that helps you
visualize information. Some graphic features
clarify the meaning of the text. Others show a
lot of information in a compact way. Scientific
and technical texts use a variety of graphic
features to help you understand a topic.
Examples include:
circle graph
bar graph
model
line graph
diagram
table
flowchart
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?
Summarizer
Journal 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.