20890 ACE Language (Yr 4) Features of Online Texts

Text structure
and organisation
Identify features of online texts that enhance readability
including text, navigation, links, graphics and layout
(ACELA1793)
© Australian Curriculum: Assessment and Reporting Authority 2012
Answers
Online texts .................................................... page 59
1. Online texts are the things we read, watch, look at or listen to on a
computer or other device that is connected to other computers or the
internet.
2.
3. Online texts can have sound, hyperlinks, colour, moving images and
interactive features.
4. A readable text is one that is easy to read and understand, interesting
and enjoyable to read (or watch).
Readability ...................................................... page 61
1. Readability is how well a text can be understood. It is also about how
interesting it is and whether or not the reader enjoys reading it. Web
pages can be made more readable when the text, graphics and links
are organised carefully on the page. Web pages are also designed to
make it easy for readers to scan the page for interesting information.
2. In newspapers the text is set out in columns, pictures or photos are
added to help the reader understand and connect with the text,
headings are used to show the readers where new sections start and
enough space is left around the text and the photos so it is easy to
read.
3. The readability of online texts is affected by the placement of links and
graphics, where the text is placed, the kind of type that is used, colours
used and space around the text and graphics.
4. Teacher check
The text ........................................................... page 63
1. A typeface is the design of a collection of numbers, letters and symbols.
2. (b) sans serif
3. If the text is a bright colour, it can make it harder to read, so the text is
normally a dark colour on a light background.
4. Teacher check.
The fi rst example being in capitals in a fancy text without paragraph
breaks should be diffi cult to read. The second example has evenly
spaced words, clear text, and bullet points and should be the easiest to
read. The last text has small print and columns that are too narrow.
Links and graphics ......................................... page 65
1. Text hyperlinks are usually a different colour, font or style, often
blue and underlined. Other links are shown as graphics or are in the
navigation bars.
2. Links make it possible to go to other pages, documents, images or
websites.
3. Graphics add meaning to the text or helping to explain the message
in the text, help the reader to identify with the message, break up big
chunks of text and make look a page look more interesting.
4. (a) There is the symbol of the Australian Government which helps
people know which site they are on. There is a photo of landscape
in the Northern Territory which helps users understand what the
place looks like, and to connect with the text. There are maps to
Australian Curriculum English – Language: Text structure and organisation (Year 4) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®
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help the users understand the text. There are linked images/icons at
the bottom of the page that can take users to more information.
4. (b) There are many different links on the page. There are links to PDFs,
text links (in blue type that become underlined when the mouse
pointer is held over them). There are links in the navigation bars at
the top and bottom of the page and from the drop-down menus at
the side of the page. There are graphic links, such as the very small
image of Australia at the right-hand side of the table on the page.
Web page layout ............................................ page 67
The fi rst web page image is clearly laid out. The navigation is at the
top of the page, there is a clear title and hierarchy. The lines are a good
distance apart and the paragraphs are short. There is enough white
space around the text and graphics. The graphics are a good size and
help to explain the text. The second web page is not as well laid out as
the fi rst. There is no title, and no clear hierarchy. The sentences are long
and the lines very close together. There is no clear navigation and the
graphic is very small.
Search engines and navigation ..................... page 69
1. (a)–(b) Teacher check
2. (a)–(b) Teacher check
(c) yes
(d) Teacher check
(e) Labrador retrievers can be one of three different colours (chocolate,
yellow or black).
(f) Teacher check
(g) Using the back button.
3. Answers will vary; an example of each is
(a) delicious ‘cake recipe’ -chocolate -orange
(b) ‘football cards’ – ’English league’ – NRL
Using navigation tools to search .................. page 71
1. (a) students should highlight the URL, Tags, page jump and search bar.
(b) The search bar is used by typing the word or words you are looking
for to go to a page with a list of links to other pages that contain
that word or words.
The page jump is a tool to fi nd the information you want on a long
page. It lets a user move to information further up or down the
page quickly and easily get to the sections they are looking for.
Tags navigation can help a user search for more information based
on keywords. Clicking on a keyword will take the user to a list of
the articles in the website on that topic where more information
can be found.
Users can use the parts of the URL to fi nd more or better
information.
Print vs digital information ........................... page 73
1. Some examples of similarities include:
Both texts have words which are correctly spelled. Both texts have a
layout that includes graphics, photographs or other images that help
the reader to understand and connect with the text. Both texts have
captions accompanying the photographs to explain the picture shown.
Both texts have mostly black print on a white background. Both have
advertising.
Some examples of differences include:
The online newspaper allows access to old as well as current stories
and information. The online news site has a search bar that can take
users to a list of pages containing a certain keyword they are looking
for. The news website has video and slideshow facilities. The newspaper
pages are changed by turning them with your hands, while the online
news pages are changed by clicking on links. The newspaper pages are
numbered, the news site pages are not.
2. Text preference: teacher check.