This document provides instructions for a pre-writing activity to identify key terms from a reading passage using the WordSift tool. The activity involves pasting text into WordSift to generate a word cloud of frequently used terms, then using WordSift tools to create definitions for each key term in order to better understand the topic before writing about it.

1. John Allan @mrpottz 2018
Data-Driven Learning Activity: Pre-Writing activity
Purpose: to identify key terms of a topic before starting a writing activity
Outcomes: Writing activity to identify important vocabulary
Try it
1. Locate a digital copy of a reading (any text)
2. Copy the text (usually your teacher will provide this)
Or Use WordSift’s Article from Wikipedia feature
3. Open Wordsift (https://wordsift.org)
4. Paste the copied text into the Text area of WordSift
Or Type a key word(s) into the Article from Wikipedia text box (example: fishing)
Click on one of the options that appears in the drop down list.
5. Click on the SIFT button
6. A word cloud appears
7. Choose the Cloud Settings
button

2. John Allan @mrpottz 2018
8. Change the Maximum number of words to the number that the teacher provides
(example: 12)
9. Press the ENTER key
10. The word cloud will change
11. Click on a word in this word cloud (example: trawler)
12. Scroll Down to the WordSift tools sections
13. Use these tools to create definitions of the key words
14. Write down your definition of the key word
15. Repeat this for all of the key words in the word cloud
16. Write original sentences for each of the Key words. (optional)