Topic 4: Technical Document: 4.1.2 Extended Definition

TOPIC 4:
TECHNICAL DOCUMENT
4.1.2 Extended Definition
[email protected]
What is extended definition?
 It involves more than one sentence
 It could be written in a paragraph or
more, or even an entire essay to clarify
the definition
 A definition can be extended by adding a
defining relative clause
What is a relative clause?
 Relative clause includes relative pronouns
which are:
 Who or that for people

 When for a period of time
 Where for a place or a location
 That or which for things
Example of relative clauses
 An engineer is a person who creates,
maintains and designs machines and
structures.
 A notebook is a computer which can be
carried around.
 A lab is a place where experiments are
conducted.
5 ways of extending a definition
Etymology
Compare
Explication
and contrast
Classification Negation
WAYS TO EXTEND A
DEFINITION
 Etymology or Derivation
- where did the word come from?
Photosynthesis
putting
light
together
WAYS TO EXTEND A
DEFINITION
 Etymology or Derivation
- Refers to the origin of the word, its multiple meanings,
and the way the word is used in present time
E.g.: Alcohol originated from the Arabic word al-kuhul,

which means a colourless, flammable, and pungent liquid
with the chemical properties of C2H6O. Alcohol today
can be burned as fuel and is commonly found in whiskey,
wine and beer or in fermented and distilled liquors
known as ethyl alcohol.
WAYS TO EXTEND A
DEFINITION
 Explication
- Explains and clarifies any word in the
definition that may confuse the readers
E.g.: The word autobiography consists of two

words: auto, which means self or by oneself,
and biography, which means an account of a
person’s life. Therefore, autobiography means
the story of one’s own life written or dictated
by oneself.
WAYS TO EXTEND A
DEFINITION
 Negative comparisons or Negation
- Readers can grasp some meanings by
understanding clearly what the term does not
mean
E.g.:
1) A cucumber is not a vegetable,

but a long fruit.
2) Cloud computing does not refer to the weather
or atmosphere.
3) Social media is not about social status.
WAYS TO EXTEND A
DEFINITION
 Classification
- Defines a word into different categories and explains
each category in detail
E.g.:
A) Term: Elephant
B) Classification : Mammal
C) Basis for division-i) Asiatic ii) African
D) Detailed characteristics of each division-
i) physical characteristics
ii) location
iii) uses
WAYS TO EXTEND A
DEFINITION
 Compare and contrast
- Compare the unfamiliar with the familiar based on
a pattern of similarities
E.g.:
1) The way the heart pumps blood throughout the
body is like the way a water pump works to
pump water into the water pipes.
WAYS TO EXTEND A
DEFINITION
 Compare and contrast
E.g.: A computer
memory is like room of
filing cabinets; it is
organised to store a lot
of information for easy
retrieval.
WAYS TO EXTEND A
DEFINITION
 Besides using the 5 ways of expanding a
definition above, we can also use descriptive
details to clarify a term such as:
 Class
 Size
 Shape
 Colour
 Material
 Properties/Function
Safety scissors
 The scissors are made of
rubber and stainless steel. The
purpose of this item is to cut
general things like paper. They
are made using a soft
colourful material for the
handle and a rounded edge
finish on the blade. They are a
learning tool used for children
aged four to eight. These
safety scissors will provide
hours of cutting fun with
correct instruction,
supervision and use.
Extended description (safety

scissors)
Class
Nail clipper
 A nail clipper is a hand tool

used to trim fingernails and Function
toenails. It can also be used
to file your nails and
remove dirt from beneath
your nails. It is portable,
Function
light and usually made of
stainless steel but can also
be made of plastic and Physical
properties
aluminium.
Extended description of a nail

Material
clipper
Getting started:
Choosing a topic
 It is a good idea to choose something that you are
already familiar with, so you can focus on learning
how to write the description.
 Possible topics include devices that are specific to

your field, or devices/tools you use in everyday life:
 Battery
 Manual can opener
 Your favourite computer or video game
 Guitar
 Laptop
 Water heater
Basic Requirements
 Audience and Purpose
 Choose an audience that would be

interested in learning about the process or
product you explain.
 For example, you could assume an audience

of students reading about your topic in a
monthly magazine.You could write a
marketing document to persuade people to
buy a product.
Basic Requirements
 Gathering information
 Take time to learn all you can about the

product through the internet, books or
magazines
 Choose the information you need carefully.

Remember to paraphrase.
 List the sources (websites, books and etc) at

the end of your assignment.
Basic Contents/Organization
 1) Clearly indicate the nature and
scope of your description.
◦ This section will also include information about
your target audience, the knowledge level of your
audience and why your audience might need this
description.
 2) Include an introduction to your

product/process.
◦ Most introductions are general - give your reader
a broad overview of your topic. Include a
sentence (or longer) definition. Many
introductions also include a visual.
Basic Contents/Organization
 3) Provide appropriate detail.
◦ This will be the "body" of your description. For
products, describe each part in detail, including
shape, colour, materials, functions and relation to
other parts.
 4) Write a conclusion.
◦ A conclusion will summarize the description. Often a
conclusion will describe how all the previously-
described parts work together. You may also remind
your audience of how this product or process will
ultimately help your audience solve a problem (or
enrich their lives!).
In summary
To write an Extended Definition
 Know your audience

 Identify the key characteristics
 Use sources (books/the internet) to find
out more facts and information
 Provide illustrations and examples
References
 http://www.personal.psu.edu/lrm155/blogs
/technical_writing/technical-definition-
and-description.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_clipper
Weekly Task 2:
26.4.2020 Week 7
By referring to your object chosen earlier (the object for presentation
assignment) and write ONE paragraph for its Extended Definition.
(In short; Define your object in one paragraph using the criteria given.)
The criteria to guide you:

1) Function
2) Shape
3) Colour (if applicable)
4) Material
5) Physical Properties
You may also employ other techniques for extending a definition such as
negation, explication, etymology, classification and compare and contrast.

Topic 4: Technical Document: 4.1.2 Extended Definition

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Topic 4: Technical Document: 4.1.2 Extended Definition

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Topic 4: Technical Document: 4.1.2 Extended Definition

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

TOPIC 4:

 Who or that for people

E.g.: Alcohol originated from the Arabic word al-kuhul,

E.g.: The word autobiography consists of two

1) A cucumber is not a vegetable,

Extended description (safety

 A nail clipper is a hand tool

Extended description of a nail

 Possible topics include devices that are specific to

 Choose an audience that would be

 For example, you could assume an audience

 Take time to learn all you can about the

 Choose the information you need carefully.

 List the sources (websites, books and etc) at

 2) Include an introduction to your

 Know your audience

The criteria to guide you:

You might also like