What is "demonstration"

Demonstration \Dem`on*stra"tion\, n. [L. demonstratio: cf. F. d['e]monstration.]

1. The act of demonstrating; an exhibition; proof; especially, proof beyond the possibility of doubt; indubitable evidence, to the senses or reason.

   Those intervening ideas which serve to show the agreement of any two others are called ``proofs;'' and where agreement or disagreement is by this means plainly and clearly perceived, it is called demonstration.
   --Locke.

2. An expression, as of the feelings, by outward signs; a manifestation; a show. See also sense 7 for a more specific related meaning.

   Did your letters pierce the queen to any demonstration of grief?
   --Shak.

   Loyal demonstrations toward the prince.
   --Prescott.

3. (Anat.) The exhibition and explanation of a dissection or other anatomical preparation.

4. (Mil.) a decisive exhibition of force, or a movement indicating an attack.

5. (Logic) The act of proving by the syllogistic process, or the proof itself.

6. (Math.) A course of reasoning showing that a certain result is a necessary consequence of assumed premises; -- these premises being definitions, axioms, and previously established propositions.

7. a public gathering of people to express some sentiment or feelings by explicit means, such as picketing, parading, carrying signs or shouting, usually in favor of or opposed to some action of government or of a business.

8. the act of showing how a certain device, machine or product operates, or how a procedure is performed; -- usually done for the purpose of inducing prospective customers to buy a product; as, a demonstration of the simple operation of a microwave oven.

   Direct demonstration, or Positive demonstration, (Logic & Math.), one in which the correct conclusion is the immediate sequence of reasoning from axiomatic or established premises; -- opposed to

   Indirect demonstration, or Negative demonstration (called also reductio ad absurdum), in which the correct conclusion is an inference from the demonstration that any other hypothesis must be incorrect.

late 14c., "proof that something is true," from Old French demonstration or directly from Latin demonstrationem (nominative demonstratio), noun of action from past participle stem of demonstrare "to point out, indicate, demonstrate," figuratively, "to prove, establish," from de- "entirely" (see de-) + monstrare "to point out, show," from monstrum "divine omen, wonder" (see monster). Meaning "public show of feeling," usually with a mass meeting and a procession, is from 1839. Related: Demonstrational.

n. 1 The act of demonstrate; showing or explaining something. 2 An event at which something will be demonstrated. 3 A public display of group opinion. 4 A show of military force. 5 A mathematical proof.

1. n. a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view; "the presentation of new data"; "he gave the customer a demonstration" [syn: presentation, presentment]

2. a show of military force or preparedness; "he confused the enemy with feints and demonstrations"

3. a public display of group feelings (usually of a political nature); "there were violent demonstrations against the war" [syn: manifestation]

4. proof by a process of argument or a series of proposition proving an asserted conclusion [syn: monstrance]

5. a visual presentation showing how something works; "the lecture was accompanied by dramatic demonstrations"; "the lecturer shot off a pistol as a demonstration of the startle response" [syn: demo]

A demonstration or street protest is action by a mass group or collection of groups of people in favor of a political or other cause; it normally consists of walking in a mass march formation and either beginning with or meeting at a designated endpoint, or rally, to hear speakers. Historian Eric Hobsbawm says, "Next to sex, the activity combining bodily experience and intense emotion to the highest degree is the participation in a mass demonstration at a time of great public exaltation. Unlike sex, which is essentially individual, it is by its nature collective...and it can be prolonged for hours....It implies some physical action--marching, chanting slogans, singing — through which the merger of the individual in the mass, which is the essence of the collective experience, finds expression."

Actions such as blockades and sit-ins may also be referred to as demonstrations. Demonstrations can be nonviolent or violent (usually referred to by participants as " militant"), or can begin as nonviolent and turn violent dependent on circumstances. Sometimes riot police or other forms of law enforcement become involved. In some cases this may be in order to try to prevent the protest from taking place at all. In other cases it may be to prevent clashes between rival groups, or to prevent a demonstration from spreading and turning into a riot.

The term has been in use since the mid-19th century, as was the term 'monster meeting', which was coined initially with reference to the huge assemblies of protesters inspired by Daniel O'Connell in Ireland. Demonstrations are a form of activism, usually taking the form of a public gathering of people in a rally or walking in a march. Thus, the opinion is demonstrated to be significant by gathering in a crowd associated with that opinion.

Demonstrations can be used to show a viewpoint (either positive or negative) regarding a public issue, especially relating to a perceived grievance or social injustice. A demonstration is usually considered more successful if more people participate. Topics of demonstrations often deal with political, economic, and social issues.

'Demonstration' is a monstration that serves as proof in storytelling.

Demonstration is a central part of the Brechtian approach to acting. It implies a definite distance built into the actor's manner of playing a character (in contrast to the absolute identification with a character demanded by the Stanislavski-influenced " method acting" approach).

Demonstration may refer to:

• Demonstration (acting), part of the Brechtian approach to acting
• Demonstration (military), an attack or show of force on a front where a decision is not sought
• Demonstration (protest), a political rally or protest
• Demonstration (teaching), a method of teaching by example rather than simple explanation
• Demonstration Hall, a building on the Michigan State University campus
• Mathematical proof
• Product demonstration, a sales or marketing presentation such as a:
  • Technology demonstration, an incomplete version of product to showcase idea, performance, method or features of the product
• Scientific demonstration, a scientific experiment to illustrate principles
• Wolfram Demonstrations Project, a repository of computer based educational demonstrations

Demonstration involves showing by reason or proof, explaining or making clear by use of examples or experiments. Put more simply, demonstration means 'to clearly show'. In teaching through demonstration, students are set up to potentially conceptualize class material more effectively as shown in a study which specifically focuses on chemistry demonstrations presented by teachers. Demonstrations often occur when students have a hard time connecting theories to actual practice or when students are unable to understand application of theories.

Teachers not only demonstrate specific learning concepts within the classroom, they can also participate in demonstration classrooms to help improve their own teaching strategies, which may or may not be demonstrative in nature. Although the literature is limited, studies show that the effects of demonstration classroom teachers includes a change of perspective in relating to students, more reflection in the teachers’ own classroom strategies, and more personal responsibility for student learning.

Demonstration, or clearly showing (a gamut that ranges from mere pointing to more sophisticated strategies such as chemical reactions), can possibly be used in portraying ideas such as defining words. At first, simple observation and communication through pointing to an object, area, or place, like the sun, moon, or a large mountain top, occurs. Then basic definitions of words emerge. These definitions allow humans to communicate, interact, plan, and co-ordinate in ways that help us to build cities, large buildings, technology, gain knowledge and to successfully communicate with computers. Further, basic concepts centered on time, space, and mathematics are first required to demonstrate and teach probable theories that accurately describe universal phenomenon such as nature, planets, species, and the world around us.

The history of phenomenon demonstrating concepts, which lead to specific definitions, goes back to the careful observations of ancient Greek philosophers and natural philosophy. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle attempted to carefully define words that included natural phenomena and objects. The modern scientific method often uses demonstrations that carefully describe certain processes and parts of nature in great detail. In science, often one demonstrates how an experiment is done and shows this to others.

People can also communicate values and ideas through demonstrations. This is often done in plays, movies, and film. Pictures without words can show or demonstrate various types of actions and consequences.

When using demonstration, there is a four-step process that will allow the students to have a clear understanding of the topic at hand.

In military terminology, a demonstration is an attack or show of force on a front where a decision is not sought, made with the aim of deceiving the enemy.

An example of a demonstration in the American Civil War was at the Battle of Gettysburg where, on July 2, 1863, General Robert E. Lee ordered Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell to stage a demonstration against Culp's Hill on the Union right flank while Lt. Gen. James Longstreet launched the main attack against the Union left flank.

A related diversionary maneuver, the feint, involves actual contact with the enemy, unlike a demonstration.

Demonstration is the second studio album by British rapper Tinie Tempah. The album was released on 4 November 2013 as the follow-up to his commercially successful debut album, Disc-Overy (2010). In December 2010, Tempah announced he was writing for his second album, saying there would be a more electronic and live feel to it. It was originally intended for a late 2011 release, however it had since suffered from continuous delays. The first two singles from the album, " Trampoline" and " Children of the Sun", were released in the run-up to the album and both managed to enter the top ten of the UK Singles Chart. The album features collaborations with producers and guest artists such as Labrinth and Diplo and sees Tempah experimenting with new musical genres.

Demonstration received generally positive reviews, with music critics praising the choice of producers and Tempah's evolution as a musician. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number three, making it less successful than Disc-Overy. It was beaten to a top two chart position by The Marshall Mathers LP 2 and James Arthur. The album was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry on 21 February 2014.