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Vcdfty

The document discusses semantic gradients, which are arrays of related words placed on a continuum between two gradable opposites. Creating a semantic gradient involves selecting an opposing pair of words, generating synonyms for each, and arranging the synonyms from most to least extreme with the least extreme in the middle. Several example activities for creating semantic gradients with varying levels of guidance are provided.

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Niga Lucian
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77 views4 pages

Vcdfty

The document discusses semantic gradients, which are arrays of related words placed on a continuum between two gradable opposites. Creating a semantic gradient involves selecting an opposing pair of words, generating synonyms for each, and arranging the synonyms from most to least extreme with the least extreme in the middle. Several example activities for creating semantic gradients with varying levels of guidance are provided.

Uploaded by

Niga Lucian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Semantic Gradient‐ an array of related words placed on a continuum. 
The beginning and ending points of the continuum are gradable opposites‐ such as hot and 
cold.  The words between the antonyms illustrate a semantic shift from one word to the 
other. 
The purpose of this activity is to help you discern shades of meaning among words that are 
related.  For example, “angry and “furious” are both considered antonyms of happy. 
However, looking closely at their definitions will help you understand that they are not truly 
synonyms.   
 
Example of a semantic gradient: 
 
 

frigid     frosty     chilly     brisk     cool     balmy     tepid     hot     boiling     fiery 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 

Steps for Creating a Semantic Gradient 
 
1) Select a pair of gradable opposites.  

            Ex.  hot / cold 
      Choose your initial words wisely.  Sematic Gradients cannot be created when 
       using “complementary pairs” of antonyms such as on/off or married/single.  
 
 
2) Generate at least five synonyms for each antonym.  

              Ex.  hot:  boiling, balmy, fiery, tepid, warm, hot 
                      cold:  cool, brisk, chilly, frosty, frigid 
 
 
3) Arrange each set of synonyms from most to least extreme.  
               Ex.  fiery     boiling     hot     warm     tepid     balmy 
                       frigid     frosty     cold     chilly     brisk     cool      
 
 
4) Arrange all words (both sets of synonyms) from most to least extreme, 
with the least extreme words in the middle, and the most extreme words 
on each end. 
                 

               Ex.  frigid   frosty   cold   chilly   brisk   cool  ‐  balmy   tepid   warm   hot   boiling   fiery 
 
 
5) Discuss your choices with a peer.  Use reference sources to help settle any 
disputes.  Make adjustments to your arrangement based on your 
discussion. 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Semantic Gradient Activity #1 
Students are given the topic and all words on index cards or sticky notes with the left and 
right degrees already determined. Students then have to place the rest of the words in order. 
(Steps 1 and 2 on the chart are already completed.  Step 3 is set up.) 
 
 
Semantic Gradient Activity #2 
Students are given the topic and all of the words on index cards or sticky notes without the 
extreme degrees determined. Students place all of the words in order.  
(Steps 1 and 2 on the chart are already completed.) 
 
 
Semantic Gradient Activity #3 
Students are given the topic and work in groups to generate a list of words related to the 
topic and then place the words in order on the line. 
(Step 1 on the chart is already completed.) 
 
Semantic Gradient Activity #4 
Students are given the freedom to choose their own topic and work in groups to generate 
a list of words related to the topic and then place the words in order on the line. 
(None of the steps on the chart are already completed.) 
 
This basic chart can be used for Semantic Gradient Activities #1‐#3. 
 
Topic/Theme  Words Related To Topic In Varying Degrees 
(not in any particular order) 
Anger  furious, red‐faced, upset, bothered, unhappy, irate, livid 

Tired  exhausted, sleepy, weary, worn‐out, drowsy, pooped out 

To Like  adore, love, admire, look up to, fond of, enamored 

Huge  big, large, massive, hefty, colossal 
 
Happy  joyous, giddy, pleased, elated, happy, unhappy, glum, sad, 
disappointed 
Size  tiny, average, small, massive, bulky, hefty, humongous, 
gigantic, miniscule, microscopic  
To Gab  chatter, whisper, talk, shout, scream, pronounce, state 

Temperature  cool, steamy, scorching, balmy, freezing, lukewarm, hot, 
  boiling, chilled, warm, icy, bone‐chilling, sweltering 
Movement  dawdle, stroll, strut, jog, race, sprint 

Emotion  bawl, sob, sniffle, chuckle, giggle, laugh, roar 
 
Rocks  pebble, clay, sand, silt, boulder, gravel 
 
Strength  weak, wimpy, frail, strong, buff, scrawny, burly, feeble, 
powerful 
Intelligence  intelligent, dumb, dim‐witted, average, gifted, bright, 
genius 
Boredom  boring, dull, humdrum, amusing, interesting, dreary, 
captivating, fascinating 
Crying   wailing, howling, sniveling, sobbing, tearing up, weeping, 
grieving, bawling 
C. Doyle 2011 

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