Write Business Memos

Competency A: Find and Use Information

Task Group A1: Read continuous text

Level: 2

At this level, learners: Read texts to locate and connect ideas and information

Performance Descriptors

The learner:
•    Makes connections between sentences and between paragraphs in a single text
•    Scans text to locate information
•    Locates multiple pieces of information in simple texts
•    Reads more complex texts to locate a single piece of information
•    Makes low-level inferences
•    Follows the main events of descriptive, narrative, and informational texts
•    Obtains information from detailed reading
•    Begins to identify sources and evaluate information

Task Descriptors

•    Scope of task is clearly defined
•    Involves one text
•    Is one paragraph or longer
•    May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)

Text types:
instructional, descriptive, narrative, and informational texts

Examples:     

• Letters
• Emails
• Notices

ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario - A1.2

Competency B: Communicate Ideas and Information
Task Group B2: Write continuous text
Level:2

At this level, learners: Write texts to explain and describe information and ideas

Performance Descriptors

The learner:

• Writes texts to explain or describe
• Conveys intended meaning on familiar topics for a limited range of purposes and audiences
• Begins to sequence writing with some attention to organizing principles (e.g. time, importance)
• Connects ideas using paragraph structure
• Uses a limited range of vocabulary and punctuation appropriate to the task
• Begins to select words and tone appropriate to the task
• Begins to organize writing to communicate effectively

Task Descriptors

• Scope of task is clearly defined
• Content of writing is routine
• Addresses a familiar or unfamiliar audience
• Requires a degree of formality, such as appropriate tone
• Is one paragraph or longer
• Requires organization to support the message (e.g. sentence order, paragraphs)
• May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)

Text types:
instructional, descriptive, narrative, and informational texts

Examples:

• Emails
• Brief letters
• Notices

ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – B2.2

Competency B: Communicate Ideas and Information
Task Group B3: Complete and create documents
Level: 2
At this level, learners: Create simple documents to sort, display, and organize information

Performance Descriptors

The learner:

• May draw on additional simple sources, such as a list

To complete documents, the learner:

• Uses layout to determine where to make entries
• Begins to make some inferences to decide what information is needed, where and how to enter the information
• Makes entries using a limited range of vocabulary
• Follows instructions on documents

To create documents, the learner:

• Follows conventions to display information in simple documents (e.g. use of font, colour, shading, bulleted lists)
• Sorts entries into categories
• Displays one or two categories of information organized according to content to be presented
• Identifies parts of documents using titles, row and column headings, and labels

Task Indicators

• Scope of task is clearly defined
• Involves one document up to two pages in length
• Has a simple format
• Requires multiple entries
• May contain entry fields that are not clearly labeled
• May include unfamiliar elements (e.g. vocabulary, context, topic)
• Documents at this level may require entering a paragraph or more of text

Examples:

• Forms
• Tables
• Hand-drawn maps
• Floor plans

ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – B3.2

Competency C: Understand and Use Numbers
Task Group C4: Manage data
Level: 1
At this level, learners: Make simple comparisons and calculations

Performance Descriptors
The learner:

• Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides whole numbers and decimals
• Recognizes values in number and word format
• Identifies and compares quantities of items
• Understands numerical order
• Identifies and performs required operation
• Begins to interpret integers
• Makes simple estimates
• Interprets and represents values using whole numbers, decimals, percentages, and simple, common fractions (e.g. ½, ¼)
• Follows apparent steps to reach solutions
• Interprets simple, common probabilities, such as the chance of precipitation from a weather forecast
• Recognizes simple patterns
• Uses strategies to check accuracy (e.g. estimating, using a calculator, repeating a calculation, using the reverse operation)

Task Descriptors

• Scope of task is limited
• Has a concrete and familiar context
• May require one operation; operation is apparent
• May require the same operation to be performed more than once
• Requires up to a few steps to complete
• Has a set procedure
• May involve one simple document (e.g. list, label)
• Has a highly explicit purpose
• Uses whole numbers and/or simple common fractions or decimals

ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – C4.1

Competency D: Use Digital Technology
Level: 1
At this level, learners: Perform simple digital tasks according to a set procedure

Performance Descriptors
The learner:

• Follows simple prompts
• Follows apparent steps to complete tasks
• Interprets brief text and icons
• Locates specific functions and information
• Requires support to identify sources and to evaluate and integrate information
• Begins to perform simple searches (e.g. Internet, software help menu)

Task Descriptors

• Scope of task is limited
• Contains common, familiar vocabulary
• Has a familiar context
• Requires up to a few steps to complete
• Requires the use of a limited range of features and options
• Has a set procedure
• Has a highly explicit purpose
• Uses a very simple format
• Contains brief text, icons, or both
• Text and icons required to complete tasks are apparent
• Contains little or no distracting information
• Interface offers very few options

ESKARGO:
Embedded Skills, Knowledge and Attitudes Reference Guide for Ontario – D.1