This toolkit will help you become a better writer in Technology class. Before we start, let's see what you already know. This is not a test — it just helps the tool give you the right level of support.
Language Help
Diagnostic means a quick check to find out what you know. There are no wrong answers — just do your best!
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Part A — Match the Word to the Picture
Click a word, then click the matching picture. Try to match all 6 pairs.
sketch
★ judge quality
perimeter
✎ quick drawing
aesthetics
🍓 how much fits
isometric
⬜ distance around
capacity
🎨 how it looks
evaluate
▱ 3D drawing
Part B — Sentence Check
Choose the best answer for each question.
1. Which sentence is correct?
2. Which sentence uses the right Technology word?
3. Which sentence gives the MOST detail?
Part C — Mini Write
Write 2 sentences about something you designed or built in Technology class this term.
Language Help
Think about your paper boat, tower, or marble run. What did you make? What worked well?
0 words
Your support level has been set. You can always change modules using the tabs above.
Word Power — Vocabulary Tiers
Language Help
Words can be sorted into 3 levels (called tiers). Tier 1 = everyday words everyone knows. Tier 2 = academic words used in school subjects. Tier 3 = technical words used only in Technology class.
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Tier 1 — Everyday
Words you use every day. build, draw, strong
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Tier 2 — Academic
Words used across school subjects. evaluate, identify, function
Sentence starter: "In Technology class, I learned that [word] means... For example, ..."
0 words
Module 1 Checklist
Text Types — Writing for Different Purposes
Language Help
In English, we write in different ways for different purposes. A text type is the kind of writing you use. The purpose changes how you write.
Procedure
Purpose: Tell someone how to do something step by step.
Key words: First, Then, Next, Finally, After that
"First, measure the cardboard to 30cm. Then, cut along the line. Next, fold at the marks. Finally, glue the edges together."
Information Report
Purpose: Give facts about a topic.
Key words: is, are, has, contains, includes, consists of
"The design process has five stages. It includes investigating, designing, producing, testing, and evaluating."
Explanation
Purpose: Explain why or how something works.
Key words: because, this causes, as a result, therefore, due to
"Triangles are used in structures because they distribute weight evenly. This causes the structure to be more stable."
Persuasive
Purpose: Convince someone to agree with you.
Key words: should, must, it is clear that, I believe, the evidence shows
"Schools should teach more about sustainable design because it helps students understand environmental issues."
Activity — Identify the Text Type
Read each paragraph and choose which text type it is.
"First, draw your design on graph paper. Then, label all the measurements. Next, add notes about materials. Finally, check your drawing against the design brief."
"Triangles are strong shapes because they cannot be pushed out of shape easily. This is due to the way forces are spread along all three sides."
"The design process is a series of steps used to solve problems. It includes five stages: investigating, designing, producing, testing, and evaluating."
"All students should learn about sustainable design. It is clear that using recycled materials helps protect the environment for future generations."
Activity — Same Topic, Different Text Type
The same idea can be written in different text types. Read how "Triangles are strong" is written in each type:
Procedure: "First, arrange three sticks in a triangle. Then, glue them together. Finally, test the strength."
Info Report: "Triangles are one of the strongest shapes in engineering. They are used in bridges, roofs, and towers."
Explanation: "Triangles are strong because the force is spread evenly along all three sides. This prevents the shape from collapsing."
Persuasive: "Engineers should use triangles more often because they are the most efficient shape for supporting weight."
Key takeaway: The PURPOSE changes HOW you write. Same information, different style!
Mini-Write — Information Report
Choose ONE topic from Technology class. Write 3-4 sentences as an Information Report.
Choose a Topic
The Design ProcessElements of DesignMeasurement in Technology
Beginning frames:
"[Topic] is ___. It has ___ parts. The first part is ___. The second part is ___."
Developing frames:
"[Topic] is an important part of Technology. It involves ___. For example, ___."
0 words
Module 2 Checklist
Read the Question — Key Verbs
Language Help
A verb is an action word. In test questions, the verb tells you what to do and how much detail to write. Different verbs need different amounts of detail.
📜
List / Name
Write short answers. Least detail needed.
📝
Describe
Say what something is like. Some detail needed.
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Explain
Say why or how. More detail needed.
★
Evaluate
Judge quality with reasons. Most detail needed.
The ALARM Matrix
Language Help
ALARM stands for: Acquire, Link, Analyse, Respond, Make. It shows 5 levels of thinking, from simple to complex.
Acquire Get info
Link Connect ideas
Analyse Break down
Respond Give opinion
Make Create new
ALARM → Verb Demand: Each ALARM level uses different verbs:
Acquire → List, Name, State
Link → Describe, Outline
Analyse → Explain, Compare
Respond → Evaluate, Justify
Make → Design, Create
Activity — How Much Detail?
For each question, decide: does the verb ask for the least, some, more, or most detail?
1. "List three elements of design."
2. "Describe the design process."
3. "Explain why measurement is important in Technology."
4. "Evaluate your paper boat design."
VSCC — Breaking Down Questions
Language Help
VSCC helps you break a question into 4 parts: V = Verb (what to do) |
S = Subject (the topic) |
C = Content (the details) |
C = Concept (the big idea)
💡 What is the "Concept"?
The Concept is the big idea or reason behind the question. Look for words like "why", "how effective", or "strengths and weaknesses". Not every question has a Concept — simpler questions (like "List" or "Describe") often skip it.
Worked Example:
Question: "Explain why the design process is useful when creating a product."
Explainwhythe design processis useful when creating a product
Activity — VSCC Colour Highlighter
Click a colour below, then click the words in each question to highlight them.
Question 1:
Describethe design processand its five stages.
Question 2:
Explainwhymeasurementis important when building a model.
Question 3:
Evaluateyour tower designagainst the criteriaof strength and stability.
Module 3 Checklist
Build a Paragraph — TEEL Structure
Language Help
TEEL is a way to organise a paragraph so it is clear and detailed. Each letter stands for a part of the paragraph.
T
Topic
State your main idea.
"The design process is useful because..."
E
Evidence
Give a fact or example.
"For example, in class we used it to design..."
E
Explain
Explain why your evidence matters.
"This shows that..."
L
Link
Connect back to the topic.
"Therefore, the design process helps..."
Activity — TEEL Jigsaw
These sentences are mixed up. Click them in the correct TEEL order (T first, then E, E, L).
Activity — Spot the Level
Read these 3 paragraphs about the design process. Click to label each as Grade A, Grade C, or Grade E.
Paragraph 1: "The design process is good. I liked it."
Paragraph 2: "The design process is useful because it helps you plan. For example, we used it to design our towers. It has steps like investigate and design. Overall, it makes projects better."
Paragraph 3: "The design process is an essential tool for creating effective products because it provides a structured framework for problem-solving. For example, when we designed our paper boats in class, we followed the five stages: investigate, design, produce, test, and evaluate. This systematic approach ensured that we considered the constraints of materials and capacity before building. As a result, students who followed the design process produced boats that held more weight, demonstrating that structured planning leads to better design outcomes."
📝 Study the Grade A Paragraph — Notice These Features:
T: "The design process is an essential tool for creating effective products because it provides a structured framework for problem-solving." E: "For example, when we designed our paper boats in class, we followed the five stages: investigate, design, produce, test, and evaluate." E: "This systematic approach ensured that we considered the constraints of materials and capacity before building." L: "As a result, students who followed the design process produced boats that held more weight, demonstrating that structured planning leads to better design outcomes."
Why is this Grade A? It uses TEEL structure, specific examples, explains why (not just what), uses connectives ("because", "for example", "as a result"), and links back to the question.
Build Your TEEL Paragraph
Choose a topic and write your paragraph step by step.
Choose a Topic
The design processMeasurement in TechnologyElements of design
Connectives Wall — Useful Linking Words
Adding:FurthermoreIn additionAlsoMoreover
Cause/Effect:BecauseThereforeAs a resultThis means
Frame: "Therefore, [topic] is important because ___."
Start with: "Therefore,..." or "Overall,..."
Your Paragraph Preview
Start writing above to see your paragraph here...
Module 4 Checklist
Analyse a Design — Source Analysis
Language Help
Analysing means looking at something carefully and explaining what you see. In HSIE (History and Geography), students learn to analyse sources. We can use the same method to analyse designs in Technology.
1. Observe — "What do I see?"
Describe what the design looks like. What shapes, colours, and parts can you see?
"I can see... It has... The shape is..."
2. Identify — "What materials and features?"
Name the materials, tools, and special features.
"It is made from... The features include..."
3. Analyse — "Why was it designed this way?"
Explain the designer's choices and reasons.
"The designer chose ___ because... This is suitable because..."
4. Evaluate — "How effective is it?"
Judge the design's strengths and weaknesses.
"A strength is... However, a weakness is... Overall..."
Activity — Guided Analysis
Analyse this design using the 4-step framework.
Design: A phone stand made from folded cardboard
The stand is made from a single piece of cardboard folded into an A-frame shape. It is 15cm tall and 10cm wide. The phone rests at a 60-degree angle against a small lip at the front. It can fold flat for storage.
Frame: "I can see a phone stand that is made from ___. It has ___ and ___."
Frame: "It is made from ___. The key features are ___ and ___."
Frame: "The designer used cardboard because ___. The A-frame shape helps because ___."
Frame: "A strength of this design is ___. However, a weakness could be ___. Overall, ___."
Activity — Compare Two Designs
Compare these two tower designs from Technology class. Use the comparison words to write a paragraph.
Design A — Tall Tower
45cm tall, narrow base
Made from paper rolls and tape
Held 150g before falling
Looked impressive but unstable
Design B — Short Tower
25cm tall, wide base
Made from paper triangles and glue
Held 500g without falling
Simple-looking but very strong
Comparison Words
UnlikeHoweverWhileBothOn the other handIn contrastSimilarlyWhereas
0 words
Module 5 Checklist
Put It All Together — The Challenge
Time to use everything you have learned! Answer this practice assessment question using all the skills from Modules 1-5.
Question: "Explain what the design process is and why it is useful when creating a product. Use examples from your work in Technology class."
Step A — Break Down the Question (VSCC)
Identify the 4 parts of this question.
What ALARM level is this question?
Step B — Choose Your Text Type
Which text type is best for this question?
Step C — Plan Your TEEL
Write short dot-point notes for each TEEL step.
Plan: "I will say that the design process is ___ because ___."
Plan: "My example will be ___."
Plan: "This shows that ___ because ___."
Plan: "Overall, the design process is important because ___."
Step D — Write Your Response
Connectives Wall
BecauseThereforeFor exampleThis shows thatAs a resultIn conclusionFurthermoreSuch as
Target: Write at least 30 words using TEEL structure. Remember: Use the verb "explain" — that means say WHY using "because".
Target: Write at least 50 words using TEEL structure with key vocabulary.
Target: Write 80+ words with full TEEL, specific examples, and academic vocabulary.
Frame: "The design process is ___ because ___."
Frame: "For example, when we ___, we ___."
Frame: "This helped us ___ because ___."
Frame: "Overall, the design process is important because ___."
Your combined paragraph:
Start writing above to see your paragraph here...
0 words
0 words
Grade C Model Response (~50 words):
The design process is useful because it helps you plan before you build. For example, when we designed paper boats, we followed the steps of investigate, design, produce, test and evaluate. This helped us find problems early. Overall, the design process helps students make better products.
Notice: This is a Grade C response — it uses TEEL and gives an example. To reach Grade A, add more detail, use academic vocabulary, and explain why more deeply.
Self-Assessment
Read the descriptions below and click the grade that best matches your response.
Reflection — WWW / EBI / YNS
🏆
Congratulations!
You have completed Write It Right — the Year 7 Academic Writing Toolkit.
Skills You Practised
Grammar Gym — Verb Tenses
Language Help
Verb tenses tell us when something happens. In Technology, you use different tenses when you write about what you did, what is happening now, and what you plan to do.
⏪
Past Tense
Already happened designed, tested, measured
"We tested our bridge and it collapsed."
▶
Present Tense
Happening now / always true designs, supports, measures
"The beam supports the weight."
⏩
Future Tense
Will happen later will design, is going to test
"We will redesign the prototype."
Activity 1 — Tense Spotter
Read each sentence. Is it Past, Present, or Future tense?
1. "The bridge collapsed during testing."
2. "The structure supports 500 grams of weight."
3. "We will redesign the prototype next lesson."
4. "The students measured the length of each beam."
5. "Triangles distribute force evenly across a structure."
6. "Next term, we are going to build a model house."
Activity 2 — Tense Transformer
Language Help
Change a sentence from one tense to another. Watch how the verb changes but the meaning stays the same.
Example:
Past: "We tested the bridge."
Present: "We test the bridge."
Future: "We will test the bridge."
💡 Future Tense — Two Forms
"will + verb" Formal / written
"We will test the bridge."
"going to + verb" Spoken / planned
"We are going to test the bridge."
In technology writing, use "will + verb" — it sounds more professional. Save "going to" for speaking in class.
1. Change to Present tense: "The team designed a phone stand."
2. Change to Future tense: "The students measure the materials."
3. Change to Past tense: "The glue will hold the pieces together."
4. Change to Present tense: "The engineer will evaluate the prototype."
Sentence Structure — Simple, Compound, Complex
Language Help
Good writers use a mix of sentence types. This makes your writing more interesting and easier to read.
Simple
One idea.
"The bridge held the weight."
Compound
Two ideas joined by and, but, so, or
"The bridge held the weight, but the tower collapsed."
Complex
Main idea + reason/condition using because, although, when, if
"The bridge held the weight because we used triangles."
Tip for Year 7: Try to write at least one compound and one complex sentence in every paragraph. This is a quick way to improve your writing grade!
Activity 3 — Sentence Type Sorter
Read each sentence. Is it Simple, Compound, or Complex?
1. "The tower is 30 centimetres tall."
2. "We used cardboard for the base, but we chose balsa wood for the frame."
3. "Although the design looked strong, it failed the weight test."
4. "The prototype worked well because we followed the design process."
5. "We tested the bridge and it held 2 kilograms."
6. "Sustainable materials reduce waste."
Activity 4 — Sentence Builder
Language Help
Start with a simple sentence. Then make it compound (add and/but/so). Then make it complex (add because/although/when).
1. Start: "The bridge held the weight."
Sentence frames to help you:
Compound: "The bridge held the weight, [and / but / so] __________."
Complex: "The bridge held the weight because __________."
Make it compound (use and, but, or so):
Make it complex (use because, although, or when):
2. Start: "We chose cardboard as our material."
Sentence frames to help you:
Compound: "We chose cardboard as our material, [and / but / so] __________."
Complex: "We chose cardboard as our material because __________."
Make it compound:
Make it complex:
3. Start: "The design failed the test."
Sentence frames to help you:
Compound: "The design failed the test, [and / but / so] __________."
Complex: "Although __________, the design failed the test."
Make it compound:
Make it complex:
Module 7 Checklist
Sentence Builder — Write Like an Engineer
In Modules 1-7 you learned to identify sentence types. Now you'll learn to build them yourself using Technology vocabulary. Strong sentences = strong design folios.
"The tower was tall, but it was not stable."
"We tested the bridge, and it held 500 grams."
"The material was cheap, so we chose it for our model."
Practice: Choose the Right Conjunction
1. "The design looked great, _____ it broke during testing."
2. "The base was too narrow, _____ the tower collapsed."
3. "We could use timber, _____ we could use recycled plastic."
Your Turn: Build Compound Sentences
Join each pair of simple sentences with a FANBOYS word. Remember the comma before the conjunction!
Join: "The tower is 30cm tall." + "It has a wide base."
Join: "Cardboard is easy to cut." + "It is not very strong."
Level 3 — Complex Sentences
A complex sentence has a main clause (makes sense alone) and a subordinate clause (depends on the main clause). They are joined by subordinating conjunctions:
becausealthoughwhenifwhileafterso thatunless
Two patterns:
1. Main clause first: "The tower fell because the base was too narrow."
2. Subordinate clause first (add a comma): "Although the design looked good, it failed the test."
Practice: Add a Subordinate Clause
Complete each sentence with a subordinate clause that makes sense.
"We chose recycled cardboard because..."
"Although the first prototype failed, ..."
"If we had used a stronger base, ..."
Quiz: Identify the Subordinating Conjunction
1. "We redesigned the structure because it failed the load test." — What word makes this complex?
2. "Although timber is renewable, it can be expensive." — Which clause is the subordinate clause?
3. "The model will crack if you bend the cardboard too quickly." — What type of conjunction is "if"?
Level 4 — Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence combines Levels 2 and 3: it has at least two main clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
Example:
"Because the base was unstable, the team redesigned it, and the new version held 500g."
Subordinate clause + main clause 1 + FANBOYS + main clause 2
Practice: Build a Compound-Complex Sentence
Combine the three ideas into ONE sentence using a subordinating conjunction AND a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).
Ideas:
The bridge was too weak.
We added triangle supports.
The bridge held 500 grams.
Sentence frame: "Because [reason], we [action], and [result]."
Ideas:
We chose recycled materials.
Sustainability is important.
Our design scored well on the criteria.
Level 5 — Advanced Structures
Challenge Zone
These sentence patterns are used in formal Technology reports and design evaluations. They make your writing sound professional and precise.
5A: Passive Voice
In passive voice, the object comes first. This sounds more formal and is common in evaluation writing.
Active: "We tested the materials." (subject does the action)
Passive: "The materials were tested." (object receives the action)
Rewrite these in passive voice:
Active: "The team measured the bridge."
Active: "We selected recycled cardboard for the model."
5B: Conditionals
"If... then..." sentences are essential for evaluations and improvements.
Type 1 (real possibility): "If we use triangles, the structure will be stronger." Type 2 (hypothetical): "If we had more time, we would add a roof." Type 3 (past hypothetical): "If we had tested earlier, we would have found the weakness."
Write one conditional sentence for each type about your bridge design:
Type 1 (real possibility):
Type 2 (hypothetical):
Type 3 (past hypothetical):
5C: Participial Phrases & Appositives
Participial phrase — starts with an -ing or -ed word:
"Using recycled materials, the team built a sustainable design."
Appositive — defines a noun in the middle:
"Cardboard, a lightweight and recyclable material, was used for the model."
Write one sentence with a participial phrase and one with an appositive:
Participial phrase:
Appositive:
Module 8 Checklist
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