Lesson Plan For Types of PIC-LITS: Paragraph Definition Level 1

OBJECTIVE:
Writing a definition of a concept, term, word, or idea on a compelling photograph is a fun way to capture the essence of the photo and add meaning to the viewer’s experience of the object(s) described in the photo.

This will allow you to think creatively about the meaning of what is depicted in the photograph and engage the viewer of the photograph to help them see the photograph in a new way.

Definition Writing:
A definition brings meaning to a concept, term, word, or idea by developing a personal, working meaning of the word. Many writers start by looking up the word and then paraphrasing the definition. Definition writers often define synonyms and antonyms to create develop clarity of the word to be defined. Then illustrative examples of your word can be developed in a sentence.
We will learn how to write intriguing definitions by using pic-lits.com.

MODEL PIC-LIT:

This writer simply chose to define the word “gondola” by paraphrasing the dictionary definition. This is a good first step at defining a word. But you will see below how adding synonyms, antonyms, and then an illustrative example in a sentence defines the word more concretely.

GUIDED PRACTICE WRITING PROMPT:

  1. Go to piclits.com
  2. Sign in with your e-mail and password
  3. Select a picture from the gallery of pictures
  4. In FREESTYLE mode, write a definition of a word on a photograph that has a special significance to you. This definition
    • should paraphrase the dictionary definition
    • should develop and define a synonym
    • should provide an antonym
    • should use the word in a sentence that provides an illustrative example of the word that relates to the photograph.