When learners transition into KS5 and further education, they are met with much higher expectations. They must be more independent, complete longer pieces of writing, and engage in critical thinking and argument.

This is a big jump for many students, but especially for those who have difficulty with writing. That’s why DocsPlus is designed to give structured support that adapts to students’ needs as they move through their education.

Here’s how DocsPlus can help students thrive in KS5:

Developing critical thinking

At KS5, students are expected to engage with complex ideas, evaluate arguments, and form nuanced conclusions.

How DocsPlus helps:

DocsPlus helps learners process and take in information, without reading or writing challenges getting in the way.

Students can use WorkSpaces to visually plan arguments, compare perspectives, and structure their critical responses before they start writing.

This scaffold helps students break down complex tasks into manageable steps, encouraging deeper analysis and more thoughtful engagement with content. Students can use a pre-made WorkSpace from LearningGrids, or easily create and edit their own in line with their studies.

The DocReader is another fantastic tool for KS5 learners. If they are finding it difficult to read a piece of text, such as a journal, they can upload it into the tool and listen to it instead.

Promoting independent thinking

Independence is a hallmark of KS5 learning, but not all students are ready to leap into self-directed study without support.

How DocsPlus helps:

DocsPlus encourages independence by supporting learners with things they would otherwise ask an adult for help with.

Speech Feedback empowers students to review and refine their work independently. Voice Notes also offer alternative ways to capture understanding and take notes.

The Predictor reduces reliance on adult support by offering context-appropriate vocabulary suggestions, helping learners articulate their ideas confidently and accurately.

Encouraging creativity in essay structures

KS5 essays often require more sophisticated and varied structures. Students have to move beyond formulaic plans and learn to demonstrate originality and flair.

How DocsPlus helps:

In addition to using WorkSpaces to help them think about their ideas and develop their arguments, students can also use them to experiment with essay structures. It’s easy to create a WorkSpace from scratch and develop a unique and creative essay plan. Plus, if students change their mind about their structure, they can simply click and move the cells around as needed.

Furthermore, once students have created their WorkSpace, they can turn it into a Wordbar in just a few easy clicks. This means they can have the key vocabulary in a bank at the bottom of their Document, reminding them to use it and reducing the cognitive load of spelling.

Incorporating sources with proper citation & avoiding plagiarism

Academic integrity becomes increasingly important at KS5, and students are expected to reference sources correctly and avoid plagiarism.

How DocsPlus helps:

DocsPlus enables students to annotate their work and remind themselves to include key details such as quotations and references.

Students can use Voice Notes within their Document to verbally add the citation as a placeholder. This is particularly helpful for students who find that stopping to write it out in full disrupts their writing flow.

The Dual View in the DocReader allows students to access class materials whilst writing in their Document. Students could have a citation template open in the DocReader as they write their essay, so they don’t have to interrupt their concentration.

Students or teachers can also create Wordbars to remind learners of the key components they need to include.

Time management & supporting revision

With increased workload and the pressure of managing pre-reading, homework, revision, and active learning, effective time management is essential in KS5.

How DocsPlus helps:

DocsPlus promotes self-regulation through tools that help learners break tasks into manageable chunks.

Students can create revision-focused Wordbars for each subject, organise key content in WorkSpaces, and revisit saved work across sessions. This continuity supports long-term retention and reduces revision anxiety.

Understanding assessment objectives

KS5 assessments require learners to meet specific objectives with precision, whether it's demonstrating synthesis, evaluation, or application.

How DocsPlus helps:

Teachers can design WorkSpaces aligned with assessment objectives, guiding students to include introductions, evidence, analysis, and conclusions. These visual aids help learners internalise what’s expected and produce writing that meets exam criteria. You can also export these WorkSpaces into the Document as a graphic to have as a constant reference point as you write.

If you want to learn more about how DocsPlus can support students with the KS5 transition, you can visit our DocsPlus for 16+ page.

Or to learn more about using DocsPlus to support writing you can read our blogs:

• 5 top tips for using DocsPlus to support struggling writers
  
  
• Subject-specific vocabulary support for struggling readers and writers
  
  
• Using DocsPlus in English Language: Creative writing

As your learners transition from KS3 to KS4 and begin GCSE preparations, you might be wondering how best to support them.

In this blog, I’ll discuss some of the common challenges that teachers and learners might encounter in their KS4 journey and explore how utilising assistive technology like DocsPlus can address these challenges.

Increasing writing endurance and independence

GCSE subjects demand longer, more sustained writing, from analytical essays in English to extended responses in subjects like History. For many students, especially those with literacy difficulties, this can feel overwhelming.

How DocsPlus helps:

DocsPlus provides a supportive writing environment with features that boost writing output and encourage independence.

Speech feedback enables students to hear their writing read back to them. This means they can identify errors and improve the clarity of their writing without the need for adult support.

The intelligent Predictor also reduces the cognitive load of spelling and typing by suggesting the next word in the sentence. This support allows students to focus on content rather than mechanics.

Promoting complex vocabulary choices

Vocabulary is an important part of GCSE writing. Learners need to use sophisticated language and remember subject-specific key words. However, some learners struggle to move beyond basic word choices, which can limit their ability to meet higher-level assessment criteria. This may be due to cognitive difficulties, spelling anxiety or feeling overwhelmed with new information.

How DocsPlus helps:

Wordbars are an excellent way to encourage learners to expand their vocabulary. When using one, learners have a bank of topic-relevant and ambitious words at the bottom of their Document. They can then simply click on a cell to insert the word into their work.

You can access hundreds of pre-made Wordbars on LearningGrids, covering a wide range of topics. You can also edit or create your own to suit your needs.

This supports comprehension and encourages students to experiment with more complex word choices. The Predictor also uses any open Wordbars, Word documents, or PDFs to inform its suggestions, embedding the vocabulary even further.

Organising writing to hit assessment objectives

When learners undertake the KS3 to KS4 transition, their writing has to meet specific assessment objectives. Whether it’s structuring an argument, analysing a source, or evaluating a hypothesis, students must write with purpose and precision.

How DocsPlus helps:

DocsPlus includes an intuitive planning tool - WorkSpace - to help students organise their thoughts before they begin longer pieces of writing.

These visual scaffolds work alongside Document tools like the Spell Check and Predictor to help learners capture and organise their ideas.

Once a learner has filled out a WorkSpace, they can utilise it in a number of different ways:

• They can convert it into a visual graphic which sits within the Document for easy reference.
  
  
• They can convert it into a Wordbar so they can easily add key words or ideas into their writing.
  
  
• They can insert words from the cells into the Document as text to avoid having to re-write information.

WorkSpaces can be adapted to suit assessment objectives. The writing frames and planners, for instance, remind learners to include key elements such as introductions, evidence, and analysis. This structured approach reduces anxiety and helps students produce writing that is coherent, focused, and aligned with exam criteria.

Time management across subjects and revision

KS4 and GCSEs come with a bigger workload than learners may be used to. Students must juggle multiple subjects, homework, and revision, often for the first time. Without support, this can be a huge challenge.

How DocsPlus helps:

DocsPlus includes tools that promote self-regulation and organisation.

Learners can use the software to break tasks into manageable chunks:

• They can use WorkSpaces to consolidate their learning, organise their thoughts and plan writing tasks.
  
  
• They can keep on top of the subject-specific vocabulary they need to use with Wordbars.
  
  
• Teachers can create custom Wordbars for learners who need support with certain words or concepts.

It’s easy to save and revisit work across sessions for revision purposes, and the accessibility features mean students can work independently at home.

DocsPlus also saves time for teachers. You can use the rich data provided by the Analytics tool to inform feedback. Plus, you can quickly assess how well a learner understands a topic by creating a Cloze activity, also known as a ‘fill in the blank’ task, which enables students to demonstrate their understanding without reading and writing challenges clouding the results.

If you want to learn more about using DocsPlus to help learners succeed in KS4, you can review the materials below:

• 5 top tips for using DocsPlus to support struggling writers
  
  
• Supporting struggling readers to access the secondary curriculum
  
  
• DocsPlus through the writing process

And for specific advice on using DocsPlus for GCSE exams in your setting, you can book an exam support meeting.

The transition from primary to secondary school can be difficult to navigate. Your learners will be adjusting to higher expectations, a more challenging curriculum and less adult support.

Now that your new starters have completed the first few months of term, you may have noticed that some of them are having trouble bridging the gap.

If you’ve noticed learners who…

• Struggle to translate their thoughts into written output
  
  
• Find it difficult to capture and organise their ideas

Then DocsPlus is here to help!

Encouraging writing independence

The secondary school curriculum involves more long-form writing than learners will have encountered at primary school. So, learners who find writing tough will need support to succeed in written assignments.

Reduce spelling anxiety with Spell Check

Difficulty spelling can leave some learners feeling anxious or frustrated when completing literacy tasks. With our speech-supported Spell Check, learners can easily identify a misspelt word and choose the correct spelling from the drop-down list. The Spell Check also takes phonetic spellings into account and offers phonetically plausible suggestions.

Solve ‘blank page syndrome’ with the Predictor

Your new Year 7s might find themselves stuck and struggling for the next word when completing a piece of written work. The Predictor helps with this by offering learners context-appropriate and grammatically correct suggestions for the next word in the sentence.

Give learners a head start with Wordbars

LearningGrids includes hundreds of ready-made resources for a variety of different topics. Wordbars in particular are a great way to give learners a boost with writing. They can have the key words for the task at the bottom of the Document and click the cell to insert it. This keeps the core components of the task in mind and works with the Predictor to keep up writing momentum.

Encouraging reading independence

Reading is another area where learners are met with higher expectations. From more advanced texts in English Literature, to primary and secondary sources in History, to even just more in-depth class instructions. With DocsPlus, there’s no need for trouble with reading to hold your learners back.

Improve access to class materials with the DocReader

Using the DocReader means that learners can read and respond to classroom materials at their own pace. For example, they can have a PowerPoint of the lesson plan open in the Dual View so they can easily refer back to it as they complete their tasks. They can then choose if they want to use speech feedback, and if they need to listen to the whole document or just specific sections. This self-directed support can be a huge help for learners who are hesitant to raise their hands in class. It also comes with the added bonus of cutting down on printing.

Use the speech feedback tool for proofreading

Speech feedback is a great tool learners can use to read and edit their work. With the default settings, DocsPlus will read a sentence out loud once the learner has added any end-of-sentence punctuation. When learners hear their writing read back, they’re prompted to self-edit. It also encourages the use of punctuation, as learners can clearly hear where they have not used it correctly.

Developing subject-specific vocabulary

Your new Year 7s will be taking on a lot of new vocabulary that they will need to use in their writing. Here are some ways you can help them get to grips with it.

Use Wordbars to embed vocabulary

As mentioned above, Wordbars are a fantastic tool to promote the use of key vocabulary. Having the words at the bottom of the Document makes it easier for learners to correctly use the key words, as it removes the barrier of both recalling the words and remembering how to spell them. This means they can instead focus on using the words correctly in their writing. If there isn’t a pre-made Wordbar that includes all the words you need, it’s easy to add to an existing one or create your own. You could even have the learners create their own Wordbars as an exercise to embed important terminology.

Include key words in planning with WorkSpaces

WorkSpaces are a fantastic way for learners to organise key information visually. Teachers can pre-load vocabulary into WorkSpaces for learners. Or learners could create their own WorkSpaces with key vocabulary and ideas.

Use the DocReader in Dual View

Having any resource open in Dual View enables learners to easily retrieve key information and vocabulary by either reading or listening to it with speech feedback. This can be a real game-changer for learners who struggle to move between physical documents or who usually have a reader.

Reinforce vocabulary with the Predictor

When a learner has topic-relevant resources such as a WorkSpace open, the Predictor prioritises those key words in the suggestions list.  Perfect for reinforcing key vocabulary, motivating writing and supporting spelling!

Check learners’ understanding of the key words with Cloze activities

Within DocsPlus, you can create Cloze documents (sometimes known as ‘fill in the blank’ activities). To start, simply copy the information from the relevant resource into the text box. You can then ‘express remove’ words to create a speedy starter activity to encourage retrieval or teach new vocabulary.

Promoting independent thought and organisation of ideas

When learners transition from primary to secondary school, they are expected to explore ideas and write in more depth than before. That process requires planning, which can be tricky for some learners to master.

Support visual thinkers with WorkSpaces

Many learners work better when they have a visual way to organise and structure their ideas. WorkSpaces are visually stimulating and easy to create and edit. Learners can choose the style that works best with their thinking, or create their own from scratch if preferred, meaning they can plan without relying on handwritten notes.

Turn WorkSpaces into Wordbars or diagrams

There is no need for learners to flick back and forth between their plans, exercise books, and writing tasks. Once they have created their plan in a WorkSpace, they can turn it into a Wordbar in a few easy clicks. This means they can simply select a cell to insert vocabulary, key quotes, sentence starters or important analysis into their Document. The same WorkSpace can also be turned into a diagram, which they can add to the Document to aid writing.

Use Voice Notes to provide feedback and encourage thoughtful planning

Voice Notes are a fantastic opportunity for learners to verbally capture their initial thoughts before they start writing. They can aid those with poor working memory or those who struggle with information overload. You can also use the Voice Note tool to pre-record instructions or provide feedback.

Want to learn more about using DocsPlus to support students with the transition from primary to secondary school, and beyond? Read our recommended posts:

• 5 Top tips for supporting struggling writers
  
  
• Supporting struggling readers to access the secondary curriculum
  
  
• Extended writing: its importance for SEND learners, common barriers and how DocsPlus overcomes them

For specific advice about your classroom, you can book a meeting with your Partnership Consultant if you’re a DocsPlus user.

Or, if you’re considering purchasing a DocsPlus subscription, you can book a free discovery call.

The start of a new school year always brings a mix of excitement and challenges. One of the biggest ones is figuring out how best to support struggling writers in your class.

Whether it’s spelling, finding the right structure, or just getting started, writing can be a real hurdle for some learners.

Here are my five top tips for using DocsPlus to boost confidence and writing output – without creating extra work!

Remove anxiety around spelling with supportive tools

For many learners, not just those with diagnosed dyslexia, spelling struggles can be a real hindrance and demotivator.

By offering a spelling support tool that students can use independently, you can reduce potential anxiety around written tasks. This gives them the confidence to attempt more complex words, sentences and ideas.

DocsPlus has some brilliant tools that can make a big difference:

• Spell check – Misspelt words are underlined in red, and learners can right-click to see the suggestions. Or if they prefer, they can use the ‘Spell Check Document’ option to go through corrections one-by-one. This option can be especially helpful for learners with ADHD, dyslexia, or slow processing. It’s also useful for learners who simply find scanning a whole page overwhelming.
  
  
• Wordbars – Wordbars are a bank of words that sit at the bottom of the learner’s Document. Instead of pausing their work to try and spell tricky words or only using simple words for fear of getting them wrong, they can click on a cell to instantly insert the word into the Document.
  
  
• Predictor – The Predictor gently motivates learners to overcome blank page syndrome by suggesting the next word in the sentence. All students need to do is type the first few letters of a word, and the Predictor offers context-appropriate and grammatically correct suggestions. This helps them continue their piece of writing without being held back by spelling difficulties.
  
  
• Speech feedback - This tool allows students to hear their written words and self-correct. Often, by hearing a sentence, learners can spot misspelt words or incorrect syntax without needing feedback from a teacher.

Develop subject-specific vocabulary with Wordbars

Getting to grips with subject-specific vocabulary can be tough. Year 7s often struggle with the jump to KS3 language. KS3 and KS4 learners face new GCSE terminology. Even Sixth Formers can find it hard to strike the right tone in long-form essays.

That’s why my next tip is to remove one element of that challenge by giving students a way to remind themselves of the key vocabulary whenever they need it.

Wordbars are a really easy way to do just that!

As mentioned above, Wordbars hold the key words learners need at the bottom of their Document. They are great for embedding Tier 3, subject-specific vocabulary like ‘photosynthesis’ or ‘bourgeoise’. This is useful because, unlike Tier 1 or 2 words, students don’t usually learn Tier 3 vocabulary through frequent exposure.

This allows learners to demonstrate their understanding of the topic without worrying about spelling or remembering subject-specific words.

DocsPlus users have access to a plethora of ready-made Wordbars from LearningGrids, which align with the secondary school curriculum. If you can’t find one for your specific topic, it's easy to create and edit your own.

If you’re looking for other ways to use Wordbars, you could always:

• Use an AI generator to create a list of the key vocabulary from your lesson materials and turn it into a Wordbar.
  
  
• Show your class how to create a Wordbar from an existing WorkSpace. This will allow them to easily use key phrases from the planning stages in their written tasks.
  
  
• Create a subject-specific Wordbar as a whole-class activity so that everyone knows the key words for the topic.

Encourage independence and reduce reliance on adult support

As teachers, we often feel guilty about being pulled from student to student in a large class. While you want to answer every student's question, that can be tricky in a class of up to 34 children. This can be demotivating and a problem that feels impossible to resolve (unless you’ve learned to clone).

You can alleviate this issue and build the confidence of your learners by giving them a way to get the support they need without relying on teachers or support staff.

DocsPlus offers a lot of the support that learners typically ask an adult for.

Here’s how DocsPlus can help your learners get answers to these common writing questions:

• Can you explain the task again?’ - The student can re-read or listen to the lesson instructions as many times as they need using the DocReader.
  
  
• ‘How do I structure that?’ - The student can follow a writing frame or essay planner from LearningGrids.
  
  
• ‘Can you proofread this?’ - The student can use the Spell Check and listen back to their work to hear any errors they missed while writing. 

Pete Dennett from Springfield School in Portsmouth describes the success they’ve had with DocsPlus and student independence:

“Since using DocsPlus, I’ve noticed the confidence students have accessing their work. One of the biggest barriers they had before was that feeling of not getting things right or being able to put their hand up and say they were struggling with something.

“DocsPlus has enabled students to be independent, so it really does help students tell us what they know - often students are missing out marks in exams - because they know it! It’s about getting the ideas from their head down onto paper. DocsPlus supports with that.”

Reduce cognitive load with structured support

A lot of cognitive effort goes into writing essays and long-form answers.

To write successfully, learners must take in new information, understand it, analyse it, and ensure they cover each key point. Then when it comes to writing the essay, they have to pay attention to spelling, grammar, and syntax.

That’s a lot - even for students who don’t struggle with writing!

You can help your struggling writers succeed in long-form assignments by removing some of that mental effort (Sweller 1988). This way, they can focus on their ideas and not get overwhelmed by the different elements of writing.  

Here is an example of how DocsPlus can be used to simplify every step of the long-form writing process.

1. A student writing a history essay can use a WorkSpace for planning and keeping track of key dates.
   
   
2. They can then seamlessly transfer it into the main Document, without the need to re-write information or bounce between different screens.

3. They can use the DocReader to refer to primary and secondary sources. And, with the speech feedback enabled, they can focus on the content and not the process of reading it themselves.
   
   
4. Finally, when it comes to writing, they can use the Predictor, which will suggest the next word in the sentence, so they don’t get distracted by trying to spell or remember the word they’re looking for.

Offer inclusive approaches to planning and organising ideas 

Do your planning materials work for all your learners? The range of WorkSpaces in DocsPlus allows students to visually organise their thoughts in a way that suits them. This makes it easier to structure essays, reports, and creative writing.

Students can choose from visual diagrams, linear outlines, or a combination of both. Whatever they prefer, there is a WorkSpace for them.

Plus, they can create their own using the blank WorkSpace and arrange their thoughts in a way that is entirely personal to them.

For visual thinkers, this approach can mirror how they naturally process information. And for students with executive functioning difficulties, it provides a clear, manageable way to break down complex tasks into smaller, more achievable steps.

This flexibility ensures that every learner can find a method that works for them.

So, what's next?

The right support can help struggling writers to express their ideas and thoughts on the subjects they’re studying, without being held back by spelling, structuring, or wondering what to write next.

Want to learn more about using DocsPlus to support learners throughout their secondary education? Take a look at the resources below!

• Supporting struggling readers to access the secondary curriculum
  
  
• 5 benefits of using DocsPlus for exam access arrangements
  
  
• DocsPlus through the writing process

For specific advice about your classroom, you can book a customer care meeting if you’re a DocsPlus user.

Or, if you’re interested in learning more, you can book a free discovery call.

The English Language curriculum asks a lot of our students - from vivid, imaginative storytelling to the careful construction of persuasive arguments. At the same time, it asks just as much of us as teachers. We also juggle multiple genres and dozens of language features - plus a cohort of learners who each need something a little different to succeed.

DocsPlus is a powerful tool that can make a real difference in English Language lessons for students and teachers alike. Here’s how it can help tackle some of the main challenges we face and support our learners in building writing confidence and clarity across a range of English Language creative writing genres.

Main challenges teachers face in English Language writing

1. Genre confusion: Students often struggle to remember which skills and features belong to which genre. This could look like using persuasive techniques in a story, or forgetting how to structure a report.
   
   
2. Lack of time: Covering a wide variety of writing styles, exam techniques, and language features within limited curriculum time is overwhelming.
   
   
3. Unappealing exam content: The exam can be lacklustre in an otherwise dynamic subject, making the preparation tedious.
   

DocsPlus helps address each of these. It gives students independent access to writing scaffolds and interactive proofing - and frees up teacher time for focused instruction.

Writing to entertain or describe

Story writing

Many students enjoy the idea of story writing with the freedom to invent characters, worlds, and dramatic twists. But when it comes to actually putting pen to paper, that enthusiasm can disappear fast. Struggling writers often get lost in their ideas or go off on tangents, unsure how to structure a compelling narrative from start to finish.

One approach that really helped my students was giving them a clear, five-part story structure: opening, build-up, problem, resolution, and ending. Breaking the writing into chunks made it feel less overwhelming and gave them purpose in each section.

This is where DocsPlus' WorkSpace really came into its own. I created a story map with a tab for each stage of the structure. Students used this space to brainstorm ideas, note down vocabulary, and even sketch out their characters or key events. It became a visual anchor for their story, and they could keep referring back to it as they wrote.

Once they moved into the document, the Predictor helped boost confidence - especially for those who often hesitated over spelling or opted for 'safe' word choices. And when they’d finished, speech feedback let them listen back to their work. It was a game-changer for spotting clunky sentences, missing punctuation and words, or awkward phrasing - all things that often slip past in silent proofreading.

Descriptive writing

Descriptive writing is another genre that sounds simple but can be deceptively tricky. Students are usually given an image prompt and asked to 'describe it' - but many either list what they see or get stuck after two or three sentences.

To guide them, I gave students a flexible formula: pick out five key aspects from the picture and write a paragraph about each one. These could include the sky, a character, an object, the atmosphere, and an emotional response. This approach helped them organise their thoughts and aim for depth rather than breadth.

In WorkSpace, students built visual boards based on their five focus areas from the image. Then, using Wordbars, they pulled in sensory language, similes, or powerful verbs to enrich their paragraphs. Just like with story writing, the Predictor and speech feedback tools gave them a safety net - boosting vocabulary and helping them polish their final pieces with growing independence.

Writing to persuade

Persuasive writing is where many students start to feel out of their depth. Unlike creative writing, it requires a very deliberate structure, a clear argument, and the ability to anticipate counterpoints . It's not easy for students still developing confidence in expressing their opinions.

In DocsPlus, we built WorkSpace plans to map out each paragraph - students could drop in ideas, evidence, or even images to visualise their argument. This helped them stay on track when writing their final piece. For those who needed more support with sentence structure or style, we used Wordbars filled with persuasive sentence starters, emotive vocabulary, and DAFOREST examples.

Students loved being able to see their argument take shape - and even reluctant writers began to enjoy playing around with language when they had the tools to guide them.

DocsPlus also made it easier to teach different persuasive formats, like letters and articles. We’d set up a WorkSpace that looked like a magazine layout or a letter template - with headings, images, and paragraph boxes. It helped students focus on content without getting stuck on layout or formatting.

LearningGrids - DocsPlus' resource bank - also has a series of pre-made writing frames and word banks for non-fiction genres that make resourcing lessons quick and easy!

Other useful information

Teaching English Language writing can feel like spinning plates - but DocsPlus helps steady the whole process. It provides our learners with structure, vocabulary support, and independence, while helping us deliver effective model lessons across every genre.

Whether your focus is building imagination, sharpening description, or empowering students to argue their case, DocsPlus offers a flexible, student-friendly set of tools to meet them where they are - and help them succeed.

Other useful posts for secondary teachers and students include:

• How to use DocsPlus in a model lesson: English Literature
  
  
• Subject-specific vocabulary for struggling readers and writers
  
  
• Supporting struggling readers to access their secondary education

Introduction

In secondary school English Literature lessons, students are often expected to read, analyse, and write critically about complex texts. From Shakespeare’s Macbeth to modern works like An Inspector Calls, students encounter sophisticated language, intricate themes, and multifaceted characters. These can present challenges, particularly for students with learning difficulties or those who struggle with academic language. DocsPlus is a powerful tool that can support all learners in overcoming these barriers and enhancing their reading and writing abilities.

In this post, we’ll explore how DocsPlus can be used to structure the learning of a set text, from reading an extract with DocReader to writing an essay response with Wordbars.

Bridging the word gap

A major hurdle many students face in secondary school is the word gap - an academic vocabulary gap that often widens as students progress from primary to secondary education.

According to recent reports, almost half of all secondary teachers feel their students lack confidence in using general academic vocabulary. This gap can be even more pronounced when students are expected to engage with sophisticated literary analysis, including subject-specific terminology.

DocsPlus can help bridge this gap by providing students with accessible vocabulary support. Using DocsPlus’ Wordbars, students can instantly access key literary terms, critical vocabulary, and phrases they need to complete their assignments.

These vocabulary banks can be customised to fit specific lesson goals, whether that’s analysing a character, identifying themes, or using literary devices. By offering targeted vocabulary support, DocsPlus empowers students to focus on their analysis and writing, rather than struggling to recall the right words.

How to use DocsPlus in a model lesson

Text analysis

A key component of English Literature lessons is text analysis. Whether reading a passage from Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet, students must be able to identify themes, character traits, literary devices, and context. DocReader, a feature in DocsPlus, allows students to read texts independently. DocReader's text-to-speech reads extracts aloud. Students can select where DocReader reads from and how quickly. This helps struggling readers, including those with dyslexia, to access extracts of the set text. It also reinforces pronunciation and fluency.

Students can make notes as they read using DocReader’s dual view feature, which allows them to have a document open next to the text. This setup makes it easy to type and annotate directly alongside the text. As a result, students can easily record thoughts and analysis without having to flip between pages or applications.

Mind mapping extracts

Mind mapping is an effective strategy for helping students break down complex texts and organise their thoughts. Students can create mind maps in DocsPlus using WorkSpace, a versatile tool that offers visual mapping of ideas. Whether students are exploring characters, themes, or key language features, WorkSpace allows them to map out their thoughts clearly.

In addition to text and images, WorkSpace includes Voice Notes. Students can record their thoughts and reflections making it ideal for those who are better at expressing their initial ideas verbally. Once students have organised their ideas, they can send the mind map (along with any Voice Notes) directly to their Document. This provides a valuable reference point when writing their paragraph responses, ensuring their analysis is thorough and well-supported.

Writing a paragraph response

Once students have analysed an extract and created a WorkSpace, they can begin drafting their paragraph responses. This is where Wordbars comes into play. Wordbars are customisable banks of words and phrases. They help students structure their writing and ensure they’re using the correct literary terminology.

When writing their paragraph responses, students can use the built-in support features in DocsPlus.

• The spell checker automatically highlights spelling errors and offers corrections.
• The predictor suggests words and phrases to help students expand on their ideas.
• Text-to-speech feedback reads back their writing, allowing students to listen for clarity, flow, and coherence.

These tools help students refine their writing and make sure their paragraph responses are well-structured and grammatically accurate.

Set text LearningGrids resources

Macbeth

Wordbars:
When studying Macbeth, students often need help understanding the play’s complex themes, such as ambition, supernatural, and violence. DocsPlus’ Wordbars can provide students with vocabulary banks tailored to these themes, including words like “ambition,” “order,” and "chaos." These Wordbars help students ensure their writing uses the correct academic terminology, allowing them to craft a structured analysis. For example, when analysing the character of Macbeth, students can use the Wordbar to incorporate words like “tragedy” and “corruption” as they explore his rise to power and ultimate downfall.

WorkSpace:
In WorkSpace, students can create mind maps to track the development of key themes and characters in Macbeth. For example, students could map out Macbeth’s ambition, noting how it evolves throughout the play and connects to other characters like Lady Macbeth. They can also use WorkSpace to record Voice Notes explaining their thoughts on the corrupting influence of ambition or how the supernatural (e.g., the witches’ prophecies) influences Macbeth’s actions. These ideas can be saved and sent directly to their document as reference points while writing their paragraph response on the theme of ambition in the play.

Romeo and Juliet

Wordbars:
Romeo and Juliet presents rich themes of love, fate, and family conflict. DocsPlus’ Wordbars can provide students with themed vocabulary to help them explore these concepts in their writing. For instance, students could use a Wordbar with terms like “love" and "fate" when analysing the relationship between Romeo and Juliet. By using these words, students can create more precise, literary responses when discussing how the lovers' relationship defies their family loyalties and how fate ultimately determines their tragic end.

WorkSpace:
In WorkSpace, students can use mind maps to track the key moments and themes in Romeo and Juliet. This could include the progression of love between the two main characters. Students could create a mind map that analyses Romeo's personality, actions and quotations. By using multiple tabs in WorkSpace, students could also track these across various scenes in the play. Voice Notes could be used to discuss how the feud between the Capulets and Montagues influences the fate of Romeo and Juliet. Then the Voice Notes can be used as a reference when writing their paragraph responses.

An Inspector Calls

Wordbars:
An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley explores themes of social responsibility, class, and generational conflict. DocsPlus’ Wordbars for this text could cover themes like “social responsibility,” “gender,” and “class system." For example, when writing about Mr. Birling, students can use the Wordbar to include terms like “capitalist” and “self-important.” Such vocabulary is key to understanding his role in the play’s moral message. Using these targeted terms, students can write a critical response that explores the text's social critique.

WorkSpace:
In WorkSpace, students could create mind maps to visually connect the various characters and their views on social responsibility. For instance, they could map how the younger generation (e.g., Sheila and Eric) contrasts with the older generation (e.g., Mr. and Mrs. Birling) in their attitudes toward responsibility and class. Voice Notes could be used in WorkSpace to capture students’ initial reflections on how Priestley’s use of the Inspector as a moral voice impacts the play's message. These notes, along with their mind map, can help students structure their paragraph responses about generational conflict and social responsibility.

A Christmas Carol

Wordbars:
In A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens examines themes of redemption, charity, and poverty. DocsPlus’ Wordbars can provide students with relevant vocabulary to analyse these themes, such as “transformation” and “philanthropy." This can help students structure a response around Scrooge’s transformation from miserly to generous.

WorkSpace:
Students can use WorkSpace to explore the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge. They can create mind maps that track his journey from a man of greed to generosity. For example, students could map out Scrooge’s interactions with each of the ghosts, noting how they influence his character change. WorkSpace also allows students space to reflect on how the ghosts symbolise different aspects of society and moral lessons. These notes can be easily transferred into their writing, helping them evidence their analysis of Scrooge’s redemption.

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Wordbars:
In Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson explores the duality of human nature and the struggle between good and evil. DocsPlus’ Wordbars for this novel might include words such as “duality,” “moral conflict,” “repression,” and “transformation.” When analysing the character of Dr. Jekyll, students can select vocabulary from a Wordbar to help build their response.

WorkSpace:
In WorkSpace, students can create mind maps to track the changes in Dr. Jekyll’s character and the emergence of Mr. Hyde. For example, students could create a visual representation of how they evolve and interact with one another throughout the novel. Students could also use WorkSpace to reflect on Stevenson’s use of social context (e.g., Victorian London, Victorian Society, Religion, and Science and Medicine). These plans can later be used in their writing to analyse the theme of duality in the text.

Collecting evidence and formative assessment

DocsPlus’ Analytics feature is a powerful tool for collecting writing evidence, tracking progress, and supporting formative assessment in English lessons. It provides detailed insights into students’ writing which helps teachers monitor small steps of learning. This includes improvements in sentence structure, vocabulary use, and fluency over time.

Analytics also tracks which Wordbars students have used, allowing teachers to see how often they are referring to key vocabulary and whether they are engaging with subject-specific terminology. Additionally, it identifies any copied and pasted text, helping teachers assess originality.

Another key benefit of Analytics is its ability to highlight spelling patterns and misconceptions, enabling teachers to quickly identify common errors. As a result, they can create targeted spelling lists or starter activities that address individual student needs. It also records how long students take to complete their writing, providing useful insights into their working speed and stamina. This data-driven approach ensures that feedback is specific and meaningful, helping students develop their writing skills with personalised support.

By using Analytics as a formative assessment tool, teachers can make informed decisions about next steps in learning, provide timely interventions, and ensure students are making steady progress in their English studies.

Summary

By integrating DocsPlus into English Literature lessons, teachers can provide a series of scaffolded resources. As a result, all students can access the text, develop their analytical writing skills and express their ideas with clarity. Whether exploring the downfall of Macbeth, the generational conflict in An Inspector Calls, or the character transformation of Scrooge, DocsPlus equips learners with the tools they need to succeed.

With hundreds of free, ready-made resources available on LearningGrids, you can easily implement DocsPlus to provide accessible and engaging lesson resources. If you'd like to try incorporating DocsPlus into your English Literature lessons, our team are here to help!

Further information and resources

• ✍️ Explore more resources for set texts on LearningGrids
  
  
• 📖 Read related DocsPlus blog posts
  
  
  • Supporting struggling readers to access their secondary education
    
    
  • Subject-specific vocabulary for struggling readers and writers
    
    
  • The inclusive planning tool for secondary writing: WorkSpace