An expert lesson or an outstanding demonstration from which others can learn.
Reach for it when praising instruction or performance that reveals transferable craft, not excellence with no teaching value
The engineer's repair was a masterclass in diagnosing the simplest cause first.
| playful | |
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| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional |
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| formal | |
| literary |
playful
clinic
Fits when sports or performance commentary praises a dominant technical display
Careful Because clinic also names a medical facility, context must make the sports metaphor plain.
everyday
expert lesson
Fits when high-level teaching is the literal event
Careful Expert lesson says who teaches but not whether the result is exemplary.
warm
model lesson
Fits when instruction is designed for other teachers to adapt
Careful Model lesson concerns pedagogy and not a brilliant real-world performance.
professional
demonstration
Fits when a technique is shown in action
Careful Demonstration can be routine and may offer little explanation.
professional
tutorial
Fits when step-by-step instruction helps someone perform a task
Careful A tutorial may be elementary; recognized mastery is optional.
formal
Fits when one case provides a model worth studying
Careful An exemplar need not teach or be presented by an expert.
literary
tour de force
Fits when exceptional skill makes the achievement impressive
Careful A tour de force can be dazzling without revealing how others might learn from it.
masterclass in design
The folding bridge is a masterclass in design for repair.
give a masterclass
The veteran potter will give a masterclass in shaping large vessels.
attend a masterclass
Young conductors attended a masterclass on rehearsing new music.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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