Choose your words wisely
As prompts, ask them to consider the following: What is the general area of discourse we are designing for?
How to run it
- Print out the Semantic Environment canvas on a large sheet of paper and hang on a wall with the duck tape. (It’s easiest if you do this exercise using sticky notes - especially if you’re collaborating with others.)
- Inform the players we’ll be filling out canvas sections one-at-a-time. For each section we will individually brainstorm and then conduct a group conversation.
- Ask the players to take 2 - 3 minutes to brainstorm characteristics of the environment. As prompts, ask them to consider the following:
- What is the general area of discourse we are designing for?
- Does it employ the language of law? commerce? religion? Etc.
- What are the intended purposes of this environment?
- What are the environment’s key terms, including its basic metaphors?
- Discuss as a group and agree on a name for the environment. The name should be clear, but also compelling; you want the language to come alive!
- All methods All authors IAF Library Library Choose your words wisely 12 28 Humans live in language.
- It defines what we do, how we do it, and why we do it.
Run this exercise live
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What participants need now
Materials:
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Prompts to use +
Inform the players we’ll be filling out canvas sections one-at-a-time. For each section we will individually brainstorm and then conduct a group conversation.
Ask the players to take 2 - 3 minutes to brainstorm characteristics of the environment. As prompts, ask them to consider the following:
Discuss as a group and agree on a name for the environment. The name should be clear, but also compelling; you want the language to come alive!
All methods All authors IAF Library Library Choose your words wisely 12 28 Humans live in language.
Run this with your AI assistant +
Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.
Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: Choose your words wisely. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Inform the players we’ll be filling out canvas sections one-at-a-time. For each section we will individually brainstorm and then conduct a group conversation.; Ask the players to take 2 - 3 minutes to brainstorm characteristics of the environment. As prompts, ask them to consider the following:; Discuss as a group and agree on a name for the environment. The name should be clear, but also compelling; you want the language to come alive!; All methods All authors IAF Library Library Choose your words wisely 12 28 Humans live in language.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.
Origin unverified
- Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Gamestorming; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (2 sources observed, including Gamestorming, SessionLab.)
- What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
- No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
- Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.