Make Your Point, Jr. > Words in ABC Order > graffiti

Study the word GRAFFITI: (Source) In English, a lot of words about writing (like "graph," "autograph," "grammar," and "pictogram") trace back to the Greek word graphein, which means "to write." Here's another word that comes from graphein: "graffiti." Graffiti is stuff that's written or drawn without permission on public property. In other words, it's drawings or scribbles on fences, walls, trains, subways, bathroom stalls, and other public places. For example, in the TV clip below, Will is drawing graffiti on a wall with spray paint, and a policeman is stopping him. (Will then pretends he's just spraying himself and not the wall!) (Source) Sometimes graffiti is ugly, but sometimes it's beautiful. Many people consider graffiti a form of art. (Source) So, what's the difference between street art, like in the image below, and graffiti? (Source) Street art is legal. Graffiti is illegal. You're not allowed to draw graffiti, but many graffiti artists do it anyway. Lastly, did you notice that the word "graffiti" is uncountable? We say things like "Look at all that graffiti" and "There's so much graffiti downtown." But we don't say, "I saw three graffitis on the subway." In fact, the word that means "one piece of graffiti" is "graffito." "Look at that graffito." "Isn't this graffito lovely?" Not many English speakers know that word. But now you do!   Make a flash card: You can write your own definition and choose your own picture, or copy mine. Term Definition Picture graffiti paintings or other markings in public that someone secretly drew   Write your own sentence! You can use either of the two ideas I'll suggest, or you can invent your own. Include as much detail as you can! (Source)   Write a sentence with the word GRAFFITI: Remember: graffiti, whether it's ugly or beautiful, meaningful or meaningless, is illegal writing or drawing on public property. Idea 1: "I bet it would take (a certain amount of time) to paint over all that graffiti on (some wall, building, or fence)." Idea 2: "As I gaze at the graffiti, I wonder who wrote '(something),' and I wonder why someone wrote '(something).'" You can type in here. When you're done, copy and paste your sentence wherever you'd like it to go.