Grades 3–5 · Language
How does a glossary explain a specialized word?
A glossary is a collection of selected words and their meanings for a particular text or subject. It is especially helpful when a familiar-looking word has a specialized use. The surrounding text supplies the subject context.
In the diagramA glossary defines words in contextThe same term links text and entry.Music textThe tune risesin pitch.specialized music useGlossarypitchhow high or lowa note soundsThe text gives the word a subject context.Here the word belongs to music.
In the original music text, pitch appears in a sentence about a tune rising. Its glossary entry explains pitch as how high or low a note sounds. The entry for beat describes a regular musical pulse. Rest is explained as a written period of musical silence. The term in the sentence connects to the same term in the glossary.
These entries give the meanings needed for this music text. They do not list every possible meaning of pitch, beat or rest. A glossary works with context: the subject helps establish which use is relevant, while the definition makes that use more explicit. The text and glossary support each other rather than replacing one another.
About this explanation
Starting knowledge: Follow a short sentence and understand that one written word can have different meanings in different subjects.
Sources
- Common Core State Standards Initiative — English Language Arts Standards: Informational Text, Grade 3 (RI.3.4–5)
- Common Core State Standards Initiative — English Language Arts Standards: Informational Text, Grade 1 (RI.1.5)