Generating Word Clouds

Web Tool:

Industry:

Summarizing a Reading in Oil and Gas

“Summarizing a Reading in Oil and Gas” is an activity that creates a word cloud (www.wordle.net) for the purpose of using the vocabulary in the word cloud to write a summary about the oil/ gas reading.

Outcomes:

The learner will be able to:

  • Gain more vocabulary related to oil and gas
  • Use vocabulary to write 2-3 paragraphs summary

Preparation:

  • Discuss concept of word cloud with different size of font correlating to the number of times a word appears in a text
  • Discuss writing expectations 2-3 paragraph summary that address the purpose of the writing, express main ideas with supporting details, good use of grammar, etc.

Delivery:

  1. Introduce the tool if necessary
    • Clarify participation expectations
      • Grading criteria
      • i.e. one wordle with one written summary
  2. Choose a piece of text related to the topic: such as Alberta Oil Magazine
  3. Copy the text into the word cloud tool; print the result
    • Create a list of 5 words with definitions from the word cloud
    • Share word list with partner as well; create a combined word list
  4. Discuss in pairs the reading and verbally summarize
  5. Use the word cloud and previous discussion to write a 2 3 paragraph summary

Activity Reference Links:

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) skills addressed by this activity are:

  • Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing