What’s a motto?Defining terms and decoding

vocabulary

Practice PromptO What would you do first if given the

following persuasive writing prompt:O “Each year the graduating class is

assigned the task of selecting a class motto. Choose a motto that you believe represents your class. In a multiple-paragraph letter to your class advisor or principal, persuade him or her that your proposed motto is a ‘good fit’ for your class.”

“Unpacking” Vocabulary

O What words in the prompt are unfamiliar to you?

O Define those words as needed (using a dictionary) to determine their exact meaning.

O Once you have defined key or unfamiliar terms, ask yourself, “What is the overall purpose of the writing task?” (“What am I being asked to do?”)

Using the dictionary: Motto

O The definition of motto found in the dictionary is:O mot·to  [mot-oh] noun, plural mot·toes,

mot·tos. O 1. a maxim adopted as an expression of

the guiding principle of a person, organization, city, etc.

O 2. a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of a person, organization, city, etc., and often inscribed on a badge, banner, etc.

Additional definitions linked to Motto

O Sometimes the definition may require you to look up additional words, such as “maxim”.O max·im    [mak-sim] noun O 1. an expression of a general truth or

principle, especially an aphoristic or sententious one: the maxims of La Rochefoucauld.

O 2. a principle or rule of conduct.

Finding a definition that makes sense

O Ultimately, you need to define terms in ways that make sense, so that you can respond to the prompt.

O So, based on these definitions (motto, maxim, etc.), what IS a motto?

Some examples of mottos

O National motto of the United States:O “E pluribus unum”O Latin for “Out of many, one”

O Public Service mottos:O Boy scouts: “Be prepared”O National FFA Organization: “Learning

to Do, Doing to Learn, Learning to Live, Living to Serve”

Some examples of mottos:

O Police and public safety mottos:O Philadelphia Police Department:

“Honor, Integrity, Service”O Los Angeles Police Department: “To

Protect and to Serve”O Sports mottos:

O Olympic Games: “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Latin: Faster, Higher, Stronger)

Some examples of mottos:

O Business mottos:O Microsoft: “Where do you want to go

today?”O Adidas: “Nothing is impossible”O IBM: “Think”O Nike: “Just do it”

O More mottos can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mottos