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Technical Writing with Taste. How to write Directions/Procedures for Middle School Science www.Andreescience.com. Why is technical writing important?. Scientific Method provides the process to design an experiment/investigation.
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Technical Writing with Taste How to write Directions/Procedures for Middle School Science www.Andreescience.com
Why is technical writing important? • Scientific Method provides the process to design an experiment/investigation. • Science experiments are only validIF they can be repeated and achieve the same results. • No, Scientists aren’t writers, BUT they have to be able to communicate what they do and what they find out.
Clues to help you write a Procedure. • Make a list of all the steps – don’t go into a lot of detail, just enough that you remember what to write about. • Make sure all of the steps are in the right order. • If you’re giving directions to make something, make sure you give a list that tells all the stuff you’ll need.
Can you make a PB&J? • Take 3 minutes and write a procedure to make a PB& J Sandwich. • Do this by yourself in your Science Journal.
PB & J Lab • Swap procedures with someone at your table. • Read the procedure. • Write any questions or comments about their procedure. ( Make sure you comments are in the form of “constructive” criticism ) • Swap procedures one more time and repeat this process.
Questions to Ponder • Did you start your explanation with a good sentence that explains what you’re trying to do? • Did you write all the directions as briefly and clearly as possible. Use words like first, second, and next to help the reader understand? • Did you keep it SIMPLE?
Rewrite • Edit what you’ve written • Reread your own procedure to make sure you can “mentally” follow your own directions. • Lastly, Make any changes that you might have missed the first time. • Read it to your Group!
Group Task… • After hearing EACH procedure, as a group write ONE procedure of how to make a PB&J Sandwich • Use items from all of the individual procedures to make a PERFECT procedure.
SWAP Procedures • Using the “perfect” procedure you received from another group, follow the procedure EXACTLY and create a PB& J Sandwich from the ingredients listed in your procedure. • DO NOT do anything that is not listed in the procedure. • When you are done, have your group stand up to signify that you are ready to be evaluated.
Success or Failure? Answer the questions below into your journal. • Was the procedure easy to understand? Why? • Was your sandwich a success or failure? Why? • What would you change about the procedure you followed?