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Business Report Writing

The document discusses different types of definitions used in business report writing, including formal definitions which classify a term and differentiate it from similar terms, informal definitions which use synonyms or operational definitions, and extended definitions which provide more context through examples, analogies, or comparisons. It also provides guidance on how to structure formal definitions and considers issues like properly classifying the term and highlighting unique characteristics. Common methods for creating different types of definitions are explained to help define sample business terms for an assignment.

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Kinza Shakeel
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80 views11 pages

Business Report Writing

The document discusses different types of definitions used in business report writing, including formal definitions which classify a term and differentiate it from similar terms, informal definitions which use synonyms or operational definitions, and extended definitions which provide more context through examples, analogies, or comparisons. It also provides guidance on how to structure formal definitions and considers issues like properly classifying the term and highlighting unique characteristics. Common methods for creating different types of definitions are explained to help define sample business terms for an assignment.

Uploaded by

Kinza Shakeel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Business Report Writing

Lecture #09

Definning the Terms


Formal Definition
Informal Definition
Extended definition
Creating Formal Definition
• Definition helps reader understand new
concepts in a context.
• Traditional way is put new term in a class and
then explain how it is different from other
members of class
• For example – Computer is electronic device
(Class def) used for quick
computation(differentiation)
Extended Definition
• Usually we use extended definition to define
new term
• In extended definition we use one of these
four strategies to make term familiar the
reader.
• Compare and contrast, Use common example,
Cause and Effect, and Visual aid.
Creating Formal Definition
• It contains three parts: Term- that needs to be
defined, Class– term belongs to ,
Differentiation- how the term is different from
other member of class.
• For example, Long Bones, such as in legs,
arms, fingers, and toes are long and strong,
slightly curved shafts with large ends that are
able to absorb the shock.
• Two main issues to be considered
1) Classify the term
• Putting the new term in a class means- class
definition
• Class can be narrower or broader. For example
• AC is electronic device and also Temperature
controlling machine
• The narrower the class, the more meaning it
conveyed and more for reader to differentiate
it from other members
2) Differentiation
• Differentiating means– highlight those
characteristics that belong only to New term
and no to other members.
• Evaporation –is water disappearing from
certain area is imprecise def, as water may
disappear for other reasons.
• Change of a substance from liquid to vapor is
exact definition.
4 common methods for Differentiation
• 1) Naming essential properties
• 2)Explain what id does
• 3)If term is object, what it is made of, looks
like.
• 4) if term is process- how to make it or do it
• Warning! Avoid circular definition
Creating Informal Definition

• Two common approaches used here:


• 1)Operational Def- meaning for abstract term
for one instance of time and space. Informally
it creates a test for one particular situation.
• For example – what is good GPA – must define
it .
• 2)Synonyms- means same as another word.
When other word is known to the reader
Continued
• Using synonyms , common word or technical
term in parenthesis or set-off with dashes.
• Any quantity that requires both magnitude
(amount of, how much) and direction( which
way) for complete description is called vector.
• Writer usually highlight the term they are
defining.
Extended Definition

• For less knowledge reader- more explanation


is needed for explaining the term
• Seven common ways to achieve that:
• 1)Explaining the derivation 2) Explicate the
term 3)Use an example 4)Use an analogy
5)Compare and contrast 6) Cause and effect
• 7)Analyze the term
Assignment
• Define the following terms using Formal,
Informal and Extended definition.
• 1) Cyber space
• 2)Search Engine
• 3)Internet Protocol
• 4)SIM

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