Snappy Words: Definition Paragraph

Activity:

Start with a class discussion about abstract nouns.

Prompt:

• Ask students to name some abstract nouns and write them on the board (e.g., love, friendship, freedom).
• Interactive Element: Use a quick poll to see which abstract nouns are the most familiar or interesting to students.

Objective: Students will define a term using the Snappy Words website and write a paragraph based on their findings.

Pose the question, Why is it important to understand abstract concepts and be able to express them clearly in writing? Students discuss in pairs and then share answers with the class.

1. Demonstration: Show the Snappy Words website.
   Explain how to use the site, focusing on the relationships between words and the color-coded legend.

• Ask for words to try using Snappy Words.

   2.  Model Paragraph Writing:

• Present the model paragraph from the provided document to the class.
• Break down the structure and key elements.
• Review and discuss the importance of each part of the paragraph (e.g., topic sentence, supporting sentences, conclusion).

Topic Sentence:

Start the paragraph with a dictionary or other authority's definition of the word or phrase.

Supporting Sentences:

• Add another point or your own interpretation to this definition.
• Tell the reader one thing that your topic is NOT.
• Choose another point and explain it. (add as many sentences that explain the topic

  Conclusion:

  Finish with a conclusion that reflects all the points mentioned in the paragraph.

  
   

Brainstorming Session:

• Have students brainstorm a list of abstract nouns either in small groups or as a whole class.
• Each student or group will select or be assigned one term to define.

Using Snappy Words:

• Students will go to the Snappy Words website, enter their chosen term, and explore the visual thesaurus.
• They will write down key words, definitions, and related terms.

Group Collaboration:

• Group students by their chosen terms.
• Within groups, students share their notes and discuss additional ideas, including the connotative meanings of the terms.
• Optionally, record these ideas on a flip chart and share them with the class.

Drafting Paragraph: 

• Students write their topic sentence based on the initial definition they found.
• They compose their first draft of the definition paragraph, following the structure provided in the prompt.
• Peer Review:
• Students exchange drafts with a partner for peer feedback.
• Provide a checklist for students to use during peer review to ensure all paragraph parts are included.
• Teacher Feedback:
• Collect the drafts and provide feedback on format, content, and mechanics.

Revising and Finalizing:

• Based on the feedback, students revise their paragraphs.
• Students type their final drafts on a word processing program.

Sharing:

• Create a class anthology of definition paragraphs. Each student can read their paragraph aloud or post it on a class blog/forum.
• Discuss how different interpretations of the same term can provide various perspectives.