Leaflets are typically used by individuals or small businesses. Leaflets are handed out on the street, posted on bulletin boards, or are given away at events.
Structure
A leaflet may consist of a single sheet of paper that is printed on both sides and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths or it may consist of a few pages that are folded in half and stapled at the crease to make a simple book. A leaflet is usually set out with small paragraphs and images that show/tell you about an up coming event or offer in a shop. The paragraphs will usually contain key information such as times, dates, prices and if for a nightclub or restaurant specific way to dress.
Presentations
Purpose
There are many different types of presentations including professional (work-related), education, worship and for general communication. The software used for presentations is usually Microsoft PowerPoint.
Structure
Presentations are usually put together as a slide show using Microsoft PowerPoint with images, graphs, charts and bullet points. The slides usually have a small amount of text on them such as key points or important facts and the individual(s) presenting the presentation explain the facts or key points more in-depth.
Informal documents - text message
One example of an informal document is a text message.
Structure
An informal document such as a text message could be written in proper English but because of the limited number of characters per message allowed in a text message it is usually written in text speak e.g.
Purpose
The purpose of a text message is that it provides a quick and easy way of communicating with friends and acquaintances using short and informal messages.
1b) difference between a formal and informal document
Formal documents are usually based on a subject e.g. bank statements, job applications. They are formal because you would use proper English you wouldn’t put: orite m8 I want a job. You would put something like dear Mr. Johnson I am writing to you in addition to your job advertisement. Newspapers, magazines, user guides all use formal language because they have to sound like a business. So, the difference between formal and informal document is that; formal you must use proper English and informal you may use slang and abbreviations. Here are some examples of formal and informal documents Business letters and IM (instant messages).
An unstructured document would usually only contain text and maybe pictures
Structured documents are usually written in formal language
Unstructured documents are usually written in informal language
1B) an example of a formal document business
Letter
Bodgit & Bloggs Removals
Romford Road
Earlstrees Industrial Estate
CORBY
Northants
NN17 5HJ
Mrs Lawson
Party Experts
12 Mitchell Road
Weldon Road Industrial Estate
CORBY
Northants
NN16 7UP
30th September 2002
Dear Mrs Lawson
Bodgit & Bloggs Launch Party
Thank you for the suggested party ideas in your letter dated 29th September.
For our company launch party on the 4th October, I would like you to organise the following:
- Tea and biscuits ready for 2.00pm
- Music to be provided by a DJ from 2.00pm to 6.00pm
- Buffet and champagne ready for 3.00pm
- Guests to be given company pen and mouse mat
I look forward to seeing you at the party.
Yours sincerely
John Bodgit
Managing Director
2a) Structured and unstructured
A structured document might be a business letter. It is structured because it has got a common form. It is always made up with paragraphs, it sometimes contains tables, charts, diagrams that further explain the subject or the topic and it always contains the following:
- sender's address (top right )
- Date (above senders address)
- Receiver’s address (left and slightly lower)
- Salutation or Greeting
- Main text
- Complimentary closing
- Signature, printed name
An example of an unstructured document is an IM (instant message). IM are unstructured because they don’t have to be set out in a certain way, it doesn’t have to have paragraphs, the information is structured too as it is always put in chronological order and formatted in a way that makes the information easier to understand and structured information is always straight to the point and clearly explained
2b: The differences between structured and unstructured are:
Structured information has a common form
Unstructured information has not got a common form
Structured information is usually always laid out in paragraphs
Unstructured information is usually never set out in paragraphs
Structured information may be presented using graphs, charts, diagrams and pictures and it is usually written in formal language.
The value of converting numeric information into charts or graphs
The value of converting text to a graph is so that it is easier to read and explain. The table still shows the same information not clearly and as it is just comprises of numbers and numbers it might confuse you. In the graph below it make more sense because it’s simpler. It shows the same information but in a diagram that clearly shows that ‘Snickers’ has mad the most profit.
2c: ICT sources
Google.co.uk. Google is a search engine. Google has a search bar on the main page that you can type a keyword into and it will search the every website that has been registered and give you links to all web pages that relate or contain the keyword that you typed in, then you can choose any of the links it gives you and carry on with you research or revision. You can search for pictures videos, maps and graphs and charts.
BBC bitesize is found on www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize on bitesize you can choose from a list of lessons e.g. science, English, maths, history. After you click on one of them it will give you a list of categories e.g. modern world history, schools history projects. And then it will give you a lot of information about that subject and it really helps you when you are revising for a test or homework.
Wikipedia.com. Wikipedia is an online encyclopaedia. It has a search bar which you can type in a keyword and it will find any page in that website that has got that keyword and bring them up in a list for you to choose from, if you type in a phrase it will do the same but it will give you a relevance figure as well. After you have selected a page it has a contents box so you can skip to the things you want to know. Wikipedia is a good but not very reliable source of information because anyone can edit the content of the website.
2d: Non-ICT sources
A biography is a non-ICT source. It has information usually about famous people or someone who has done something significant in their lives who has died or who has retired and is considered a legend.
It tells you what happened during their childhood, what they did when they suddenly became famous and gives you an insight into their lives and tells you things that they did wrong and the things they did well. A biography is a good source if you have got an assignment to find out about a certain famous person or if you just want to find out about their lives and achievements.
A magazine is a of non-ICT source of information. It gives you the latest news and gossip that is usually related to celebrity mishaps or exciting news of romance and loving between one celeb to another or it reveals their latest boy/girlfriends. Magazines sometime test out the latest gadgets and computer games, review it and give them a rating; they also review films that have just been released on DVD or latest movies that have arrived to the cinema. A magazine is a good source of information if you need to find out the latest gossip and latest reviews.
A poster is a of non-ICT source of information. A poster is usually advertising something such as a concert or a disco. It tells you who the band is it sometimes tells you what sort of songs they’ll be performing and a list of information such as, where the concert will be held, prices, terms and conditions, numbers to call if you need more information and numbers to call if you wish to book a ticket.
2e: Ways of checking validity
One way of checking validity is by cross referencing. To cross reference find three or more documents from different sources and check if they all have the same information. If they do there’s a pretty good chance of that information being valid.
Also you make sure the information is valid by checking whether the source is reliable for example: WWW.WIKIPEDIA.COM isn’t a reliable source as the content can be edited by anyone. A dictionary or textbook however is a reliable source as they are used primarily for learning and must provide valid information and there is no way of editing the content once published.
BTEC ICT
Assignment 1.1
Nick Farrant