Make Your Point > Archived Issues > INCITE

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explore the archives: To incite something is to get it going, to urge it on, or to provoke it. In fiction, the "inciting incident" is the event near the beginning that gets the plot going: it's the reason for all the action or conflict. See if you can recall another general term we often apply to literature: de_____ent, the unraveling, or the part near the end when the main problem gets solved. The de_____ent is the opposite of the inciting incident. make your point with... "INCITE" To incite something is to cause it to happen by stirring it up or urging it on. Pronunciation: in SITE Part of speech: Transitive verb. (Like "eat," "try," and "want," all transitive verbs do something to an object. You eat a banana, try a game, and want a new phone. Likewise, you incite something.) Other forms: Incited, inciting, incitement/incitation. Folks have tried to shape this word into more standard-looking adjectives--inciteful, incitative, incitatory--but none have caught on. I recommend sticking to "inciting" when you need an adjective. How to use it: Although sometimes we incite neutral or mildly negative things ("to incite debate," "to incite a reaction," "to incite protests"), much more often we incite very negative things, like riots, violence, a rebellion, abuse, harassment, discrimination, hostility, outrage, feelings of dread, a backlash against something, or some strong negative feeling toward a particular group (like resentment, anger, or hatred).  Occasionally, we'll talk about inciting people, or inciting people to do something: "she's always inciting the crowds," "he claims the media incited the protesters," "they incited the teens to commit this crime," "they're guilty of inciting followers to replicate the attacks." (Rarely, instead of "inciting people to do something," we talk about inciting people to some activity or feeling: "inciting others to violence," "inciting them to hatred.") examples: The edgy commercial incited a vicious debate online. Because it seemed to argue that African Americans are inherently less intelligent than others, The Bell Curve has been blamed--rightfully--for inciting discrimination. study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "incite" means when you can explain it without saying "instigate" or "provoke." try it out: Think of a time your community was upset about something. Fill in the blank: "(A particular event) incited outrage." Example: "The criminal's exoneration incited outrage." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. This month, we're playing with the original and literal meanings of familiar words. I'll give you three words and their original or literal definitions, and you'll match them up. Easy! But then the following day, see if you can recall those old meanings. Hard! :) Our game has two purposes. One, we'll visit the interesting, thought-provoking old meanings of words. And two, we'll remind ourselves of a powerful learning strategy: delayed recalling. Let's play! First, try to recall from yesterday the literal meaning of "amethyst" and the original meanings of "heal" and "castle." Answers appear at the bottom of this issue. Next, match these words to their original or literal definitions in the answer bank below: 1. "Anticipate" originally meant _____ 2. "Example" literally means _____ 3. "Interval" originally meant _____ Answer bank: A. "the space between palisades." B. "something taken out." C. "to take beforehand." review today's word: 1. The opposite of INCITE is A. EXPLORE B. FOMENT C. QUELL 2. According to Psychology Today, _____ may incite road rage. A. arrests and lawsuits  B. positivity and controlled breathing C. aggression combined with the need for control Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to game questions: 1. "Heal" originally meant "whole." 2. "Amethyst" literally means "not intoxicating." (The stone was once thought to prevent drunkenness.) 3. "Castle" originally meant "village." Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. C