Semantic Feature Analysis

What is it?
-

It is a method of instruction that has students relate selected vocabulary to key features of
the text

How does it work?

understand the meaning of selected vocabulary words

group vocabulary words into logical categories

analyze the completed matrix

Why should you use it?

examine related features or concepts and make distinctions among them

analyzing the completed matrix, students are able to see the connections

Teachers can use this strategy with the whole class, small groups, or individually.

How to Make a Semantic Feature Analysis:

1. Choose your topic
2. Make a list of typical examples or ideas related to the topic.
3. Create a chart. Put the examples or ideas in your list in the far left column.
4. Make a list across the top of features or characteristics that some of the examples might
have.
5. Use + or to indicate if that an example has the corresponding characteristic
Topic:

Characteristic 1:

Characteristic 2:

Characteristic 3:

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3: