Working with Frames
This guide explains how to create, edit, and manage semantic frames in Webtool 4.2.
Creating a New Frame
To create a new frame:
- Navigate to Frame > New Frame from the main menu
- Enter the frame name (e.g., "Commerce_buy")
- Add a definition describing the conceptual structure
- Define the frame elements (participants)
Example
Frame: Commerce_buy
Definition: A Buyer exchanges Money for Goods with a Seller.
Frame Elements:
- Buyer (Core): The person acquiring the Goods
- Seller (Core): The person giving up the Goods
- Goods (Core): The items being exchanged
- Money (Core): The payment given for the Goods
- Time (Peripheral): When the transaction occurs
- Place (Peripheral): Where the transaction occurs
Editing Frames
To modify an existing frame:
- Search for the frame using the search interface
- Click on the frame name to open the editor
- Make your changes
- Save the updated frame
Frame Relations
Frames can be related to other frames through various relation types:
- Inheritance: Child frame inherits properties from parent
- Using: One frame uses another as background
- Subframe: Complex frame composed of simpler frames
- Precedes/Follows: Temporal ordering of frames
Best Practices
- Use clear, descriptive names for frames
- Write comprehensive definitions
- Identify all core frame elements
- Document frame relations to build semantic networks
- Review similar frames to maintain consistency