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Didacticism - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Didacticism refers to a teaching style or artistic approach that aims to instruct or convey moral lessons, often explicitly, through literature, art, or speech. It prioritizes education over entertainment.

didacticism

/daɪˈdæktɪˌsɪzəm/ /dɪˈdaktɪsɪz(ə)m/

Definition:

Intending to teach, often with a moral or instructive purpose, sometimes excessively so.

Synonyms:

Instructiveness, moralizing, pedantry, preachiness

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

Entertainment, amusement

Common Collocations:

Didacticism in literature, didacticism in teaching, overt didacticism

Derivatives:

Didactic, didactically

Usage Tips:

Use "didacticism" to describe works or speech that aim to teach, especially when overly moralistic or preachy.

Common Phrases:

Heavy-handed didacticism, subtle didacticism, didacticism in fables

Etymology:

From Greek "didaktikos," meaning "apt at teaching," via Latin "didacticus."

Examples:

  • 1. The fable's didacticism made its moral lesson clear to the children.
  • 2. Her speech was criticized for its heavy didacticism and lack of humor.
  • 3. Some novels balance storytelling with didacticism to engage readers while teaching values.
  • 4. The teacher avoided excessive didacticism to keep the lesson lively and interactive.
  • 5. Didacticism in early children's books often emphasized obedience and virtue above all else.

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