Page 96 - SpringBoard_ELA_Grade8_Flipbook

definition Strategies
aCTIvITy 1.13
Learning Targets
• Identify and apply definition strategies of function, example, and negation.
• Form an initial definition of heroism.
Writing to Define
For Embedded Assessment 2, you will be writing a definition essay to share your personal understanding of the concept of heroism. To write this definition of heroism, you will need various strategies and knowledge to create an expanded definition of the concept. First, you can expand your collection of words that describe heroes and heroism.
1. Defining heroes: Generate a list of
• Adjectives that could describe what a hero is:
A hero is (adjective) brave,
• Nouns that could define what a hero shows: A hero shows (noun) courage,
• Verbs that could define what a hero does: A hero (verb) fights,
2. After sharing and consulting additional resources such as a thesaurus,
group and then sort synonyms to represent the nuances of the words (subtle differences in meanings). Record these terms in your Reader/Writer Notebook for future reference.
Defining a Concept
Part of defining any concept is finding ways to describe the concept to make it clear to others. Writers of a definition essay use strategies of definition to clarify, develop, and organize ideas. The three definition strategies you will learn in this unit are function, example, and negation.
• Definition by function: Paragraphs using the function strategy explain how the concept functions or operates in the real world.
• Definition by example: Paragraphs using the example strategy use specific examples of the concept from texts or life.
• Definition by negation: Paragraphs using the negation strategy explain what something is by showing what it is not. A nonexample should be based on what someone else would say is an example. If no one would disagree with the negation, it is ineffective.
my Notes
Unit 1 • The Challenge of Heroism 69
LearNING STraTeGIeS:
Brainstorming, Manipulatives, Graphic Organizer, Prewriting
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