Didactic
/dɪˈdæktɪk/
adjectiveC1
Definition
Didactic means designed to teach people something, especially about morals or knowledge. It often refers to stories, speeches, or writing that try to give lessons or instructions. Sometimes, didactic things can feel a little too serious or like a teacher is talking at you.
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See It in Action
Intended to teach or instruct, especially in a moral or educational way
- •The didactic poem teaches readers about honesty and kindness.
- •His speech was didactic, explaining how to save money step by step.
- •The book is didactic, designed to help children learn good habits.
Sometimes describes something that feels too much like a lesson, making it less enjoyable
- •The movie was too didactic, and I felt like I was in a classroom.
- •Some people find didactic stories boring because they focus too much on teaching.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "didactic" like "teaching," but more serious and sometimes a little boring or too direct
- ✓Picture a teacher giving a long speech explaining right and wrong, trying hard to make you learn
- ✓It's the feeling when someone explains something carefully but maybe talks too much or too strictly
- ✓Sounds like "die-DAK-tik" → imagine a strict teacher named "Doc Tick" who always wants to teach a lesson
- ✓Think of old fables or stories that end with a clear moral lesson, like "The Tortoise and the Hare"
- ✓NOT like "fun" or "entertaining" stories; didactic focuses on teaching, not just enjoyment
- ✓NOT like "casual talk"; didactic is formal and purposeful about instruction
- ✓NOT like "confusing"; didactic aims to be clear and instructive
Try Other Words
- •Instructive: giving useful information or advice (Use when the focus is on helpful teaching)
- •Educational: designed to teach or provide knowledge (Use when learning is friendly or formal)
- •Moralizing: teaching about right and wrong in a way that can feel like telling off (Use when the teaching feels too strict or judgmental)
- •Pedagogical: relating to teaching methods (Use in formal or academic contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Greek "didaktikos" meaning "apt at teaching"
- •Etymology: comes from Greek "didaktikos," from "didaktos" meaning "taught"
- •Historical development: first used in English in the 1600s to describe teaching or instructive works
- •Modern usage: often used to describe writing, speech, or art that aims to teach, sometimes with a negative feeling when it is too forceful or boring
Reflect & Connect
•How do you feel when someone is too didactic in teaching? Does it help or make learning harder?
•Can a story be both entertaining and didactic? How can an author balance teaching and fun?
Fill in the blanks
1.The didactic lesson was designed to ___ children about good behavior and manners.
2.When a story is too didactic, it can feel ___ and less enjoyable to read or watch.
3.Unlike casual stories, didactic writing often has a clear ___ or message to teach.
4.Teachers sometimes use didactic methods to ___ important facts clearly and simply.
5.The speaker’s didactic tone made the audience feel like they were being ___ rather than entertained.
6.Didactic materials usually focus on ___ knowledge or moral lessons.
7.A didactic approach often ___ explaining ideas step by step to help understanding.