Scaffolding Resources 1: The definition

Scaffolding Resources

The definition

Learn how to make appropriate definitions in 5 steps!

What does it mean to define?

When we define, we create a short text that explains the meaning of something briefly, clearly and objectively.

How can we write appropriate definitions?

1. Try to define using a single statement. When making more complex definitions, use different statements and separate them with dots.
2. Do not use the word you are defining in your definition. Such a definition would be a circular explanation that does not provide any new or useful information.
3. Avoid expressions such as "that is when...", "that is what..." to define a concept.

I´ve got it! But how do I get started?

Always start with a word of the same class as the word you're defining.

PROPAGANDA is a name, as is the first word of the definition: INFORMATION.

Make sure that the word you started with is the hyperonym of the word you are defining.

The meaning of INFORMATION includes propaganda. That is, propaganda is a type of information (false or incomplete information to convince people).

What's next?

REST OF THE DEFINITION

DEFINED WORD

HYPERONIM

PROPAGANDA:

INFORMATION

wich is false or incomplete and it is used by governments or political groups to convince people.

Check here some hyperonyms frequently used in our subject

Using them you will be able to make simple definitions of the concepts we are learning.

nouns

verbs

adjectives

HYPERONIM + REST OF THE DEFINITION.

• A hyperonym is a word of the same grammatical category (noun, verb... ) that has a more general meaning and therefore includes the meaning of the defined word.
• The rest of the definition must allow us to distinguish the defined word from others of the same class.