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examples and non-examples
Examples
and non-examples
When people are trying to learn something or understand it
at a deeper level, one way to do this is to explore and discuss
"examples" and "nonexamples" of whatever
they're trying to figure out. This can be simple and concrete
for things like dogs, or highly intellectual or abstract:
just what is "heresy" or "hypocrisy?"
This exercise can also be useful in helping you understand
the kinds of questions teachers ask. If a teacher asks you
for a definition, but you provide an example, you may provide
an excellent example but your teacher may be disappointed
in your answer. On the other hand, if you provide a definition
(as described in yesterday's activities) and an example
and a non-example, your teacher may well be highly impressed!
Picking examples and non-examples can be done well or poorly.
Good examples and nonexamples are ones that help clear up
someting you might confuse. An opposite is often a good "nonexample"
-- but so is something that is close to what you're defining,
but still not fitting the definition.
On the other hand, if you say that a pillow is a "nonexample"
of a dog, you're really not helping a lot. Ask yourself: what
is it that makes this thing a "dog?" What might
seem to be a dog (to someone who did not know), but isn't?
Why?
Examples of good examples and nonexamples!
Here is an example of using "examples" and "nonexamples"
to help make a meaning clear for the word "tactful."
Example of "tactful" -- "Stanley, I'm not
sure people will be able to understand what you said here."
A tactful statement is one which is meant to be gentle
on the feelings of the person hearing it, even though it is
not a positive coment.
Another example of "tactful" -- "Stanley,
I think we need to work on how you organized your essay."
This is tactful because it does not call the writing or Stanley
bad, but suggests a way to make the writing better.
Nonexample of "tactful" -- "Stanley, this
disorganized, sloppy writing leaves me in abject confusion!"
That is not tactful because the words are very negative.
Another nonexample of "tactful" -- "Stanley,
this is absolutely the best writing I have ever seen!"
-- No tact is necessary here because the comments are positive.
A bad "nonexample" of "tactful" --
"Have some spinach." This is totally unrelated
to how someone would react emotionally to what you say, and
the word "tactful" is all about people's feelings.
Your Turn :) For each idea below, give two examples and
two non-examples.
Pick two of your answers and explain why the examples
are examples, and why the "nonexamples" don't fit
the definition.
1. Bird
2. lifeless
3. Food
4. port
5. rejection
6. portable
7. transportation
For Harry Potter readers:
1. Muggle
2. Ghost
3. A friend of Harry's
4. An act of bravery
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