Features, descriptors

Often known but rarely noticed.  Your brain automatically picks up descriptors. 

Example:  You use descriptors to recognize different types of dogs.  You use descriptors to predict what a puppy will look like in a year.  You use descriptors to predict what a strange dog will do. 

Remarkably, you can do these things without knowing anything about descriptors.  If someone asks you about a particular breed of dog, you will mention a few features that characterize this breed.  You will not notice that you are giving a list of descriptors.

If you go to the website of the American Kennel Club and look up a breed, you will find a more thorough description of that breed.  On the page, you will see headings such as: size, temperament, and coat.  These are standard descriptors to describe breeds of dogs. 

When people organize knowledge, they usually develop a standard set of descriptors.  When they set out knowledge for students to study, they may show the descriptors explicitly in the form of a table.  Or the descriptors may appear as subheadings, as in the Kennel Club example.  Sometimes, part of the study job may be to figure out the key descriptors as they apply in the course.

Quest questions.  What are the main things or events?  What are the main descriptions that show how these things or events are different from each other? 

Graphic: Lay out a table matching the things or events to the descriptions.

Semi-Structured Brainstorming.  Use the Semi-Structure below

Descriptors, characteristics, features:

In computer science: properties, attributes.

In library science and search: key words

Your Vulcan

 
Another use:
Recalling Cards 

Descriptors, Team Study

Concretizer
Logical
Writer, Good