Writing – Skills for Success Practitioner Tools & Resources

Document Use

Numeracy, Reading, Skills for Success Framework, WritingDEL-2.1, DES-3.1, SFS-2.1, SFS-2.3, SFS-2.5, SFS-2.7

Document Use is reading and using signs, labels, lists, maps, entry forms, and other visual and spatial displays of information. Document Use was one of the nine Essential Skills in the original framework. In the Skills for Success Framework, it is a skill that is embedded in Reading, Numeracy, and Writing.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (2010). Readers’ Guide to Essential Skills Profiles. http://en.copian.ca/library/learning/hrsdc/guide/guide.pdf
Document Use Self-Assessment. https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/initiatives/skills-success/tools/document-use-self-assessment.html
Document Use at Work. SkillPlan. https://skillplan.ca/document-use-at-work/
Document Use Workbook. (2017). Skills Compétences Canada. https://www.skillscompetencescanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/DocUse_Final20Nov17_EN.pdf
Skills for Success Framework (2021): https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/training/initiatives/skills-success.html
Research report to support the launch of Skills for Success (2021): https://www.srdc.org/media/553148/sfs-srdc-final-report-en.pdf

Elements of Style

WritingSFS-3.3

Elements of style can be defined as the way a writer writes and the techniques used. Some common elements of style include: voice, diction, tone and mood.

The elements of style. The Elements of Style, by William Strunk-A Project Gutenberg eBook. (n.d.). https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37134/37134-h/37134-h.htm

Plain Language

Communication, WritingDES-3.2

Plain language is the communication the audience can understand the first time they hear or read it. Plain language makes information easier to find, read and understand which allows for fewer mistakes and fewer explanations.

Writing Resources – Plain Language. Government of Canada. https://www.noslangues-ourlanguages.gc.ca/en/ressources-resources/ressources-resources/langue-claire-plain-language-eng
Plain language tools. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/services-for-government/service-experience-digital-delivery/web-content-development-guides/web-style-guide/plain-language-course/plain-language-tools
Plain Language Trainer’s Guide. Government of Canada. https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/ircc/MP95-2-1-1994-eng.pdf

Proposals

Communication, WritingDES-1.5

Proposals are formal reports to explain how an individual or organization might accomplish the specified project effectively.

Funding programs and grants for jobs, training, and social development projects. Employment and Social Development Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/funding.html
RFP: What a Request for Proposal Is, Requirements, and a Sample. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/request-for-proposal.asp

Question Structure

Assessment, Numeracy, Reading, Skills for Success Framework, WritingASS-1.1, SFS-3.1, SFS-3.2, SFS-3.3

Question structure and complexity looks at the specific elements of questions that determine their level of difficulty.

Lew, J., & Hardt, M. D. (2011). Controlling complexity: An introduction to question structure. SkillPlan.
Mosenthal, P., & Kirsch, I.S. (1994). Defining the proficiency standards of adult literacy in the U.S.: A profile approach. Retrieved July 27, 2021 from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED379531.pdf

Writing Organizational Strategies

WritingSFS-3.3

Writing organizational strategies can help decide how to present the information in writing and depends on what you are writing, who you are writing for and where will your writing be read. These strategies include outlines, brainstorming and graphic organizers.

(2015, October 27). 9.3 organizing your writing. Writing for Success. https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/9-3-organizing-your-writing/
Writing – activate learning. https://abcactivatelearning.ca. (n.d.). https://abcactivatelearning.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/AL-ABC-EssentialSkills-Writing-WEB-1.pdf

Writing Teaching and Learning Materials

Teaching and Learning Materials, WritingSFS-3.3

Writing teaching and learning materials are designed to increase participants’ ability to share information using written words, symbols, and images.

The following links include practical, printable, ready-made resources to use in the delivery of Skills for Success training.

Brooks, C. (2020). Building Blocks of Academic Writing. Pressbooks. Building Blocks of Academic Writing
Ivitis, S. (2020). BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 6. Pressbooks. BC Reads: Adult Literacy Fundamental English – Reader 6
ABC up Skills for Work Workbook. (n.d.). Writing