QUARTER 4 - MODULE 3

Giving Expanded Definitions of Words

I. LEARNING COMPETENCY
Give expanded definitions of words E - EN10V-IIIa-13.9

II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Extended definition defines and explains a single term, concept, or object down the meaning
of a specific word, or defines an abstract concept goes deeper than a simple dictionary definition.
An extended definition is one or more paragraphs that attempt/s to explain a complex term.

Writing Formal Sentence Definition

One of the first things to do when you write an extended definition is to compose the formal
sentence definition of the term you are writing about. Place it toward the beginning of the extended
definition. It establishes the focus for the rest of the discussion. It is "formal" because it uses a certain
form. Here are several examples:
Note:
TERMS DEFINED – (Boldface)
CLASSES TO WHICH THE TERM BELONG – (Underlined)
CHARACTERISTICS: Details about the term that distinguishes it from other members of the class –
(Italicized)
1. An Algorithm is a finite description of a finite number of steps required to accomplish some well-
defined tasks.
2. Carbohydrates are a food group including sugars, starches, and cellulose.
3. Computer memory is one of three basic components of a computer which stores information for
future use – both the data that will be operated on as well as the programs that direct the operations
to be performed.
4. Reservoir rock is a type of rock that has sufficient porosity and permeability to allow gas and oil
to accumulate and be produced in commercial quantities.
5. Influenza is an acute highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract, which occurs sporadically
or in epidemics and that lasts up to month.

Choosing the Sources of the Definition

The key to writing a good extended definition is to choose the sources of definition to help
readers understand the term being defined. Use this checklist to select the kinds of discussion to
include in your extended definitions:
Sources of Extended Definition
Description Does anything related to the term being defined need to be
described?
Example: Millennials are mostly watching television and
exposed in using different social media application.
Process narration Is there some process (natural, social) associated with the term
that should be discussed?
Example: Generation Transition takes place after different
considerations and factors. First, after a big movement in society
such as technological explosion which paved way for different
generations.
Additional definitions Do unfamiliar terms occurring in the definition also need
definition?
Example: Generation Transition is also defined as the changes
happening in lifestyle and social interaction which led to have
significant differences.
Historical background Is there some history, some key individuals related to the term
being defined? Would that discussion contribute to the definition
of the term?
Example: Generation Y was evolved during 1996 or 1997 which
was named as “iGeneration” or Generation Z by different
philosophers because of their distinct peculiarity in using social
media and technology.
Cause, causes Does the reader need to know about causes related to the term
being defined?
Example: Due to transition of generations, research proved that
millennials were really affected because of the problems
happened in the society which affected how they raised children.
Effects, results, consequences Does the reader need to know about the effects related to the
term being defined?
Example: As a result, Generation Z becomes more sensitive with
their savings and future matters.
Problems, solutions Does the term being defined represent a problem or a solution?
Example: Generation Transition really affects even the
environment that some areas are sacrificed for developments.
However, it can be a way to fix the gap by starting a new
generation which cares for nature.
Statistics Should you discuss numerical data related to the term defined –
percentages, amounts, etc.?
Example: According to the research, there are two billion of
Generation Z in the world.
Uses, applications Would it help to discuss uses or applications related to the term?
Example: Generation Z is also used to determine different
significant evolvement of human intelligence and way of
interaction.
Similarities, differences, Is the term similar to or different from something else? Would an
analogies analogy help define the term?
Example: If Millennials are called as Generation Y, iGeneration
is called as Generation Z but they are both exposed in internet
and social media.
Classes, types, categories Are there categories that the term can be divided into? Does it
belong to a certain category?
Example: Generation Transition includes all different
generations and some of these are Generation X, Millennials, and
iGeneration.
Examples Would examples contribute to the definition of the term?
Example: Generation Z people can be the young Tiktok users,
young vloggers, and young social media influencers.
Word origins Should future development related to the term be discussed?
Does it have implications – good, bad, or both?
Example: The letter “i” in iGeneration means individualized
because they are independent which they use it in different
manners.
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 Negatives Would explaining what the term is not, what it does not refer to
help?
Example: The terms Generation Y and Generation Z are not
really related in their generations because they just followed the
name Generation X.
Advantages, disadvantages Are there advantages and disadvantages related to the term that
can be discussed?
Example: Generation Transition really improves technology
which gives ease to people. However, some values fade out.

Furthermore, there are effective techniques that will make a text successful in using expanded
definitions. The techniques you use will depend on what is appropriate for the audience and subject
matter.
These techniques are listed below:
1. Etymology – explaining the origin of the word itself.
2. History – if relevant, discussing the history of the term/its use/controversies associated with it.
3. Cause and Effect – discussing how the topic came about and what effects it may have
4. Description – listing and defining the component parts
5. Principles of Operation – discussing how topic in question functions, including any special
materials or conditions required
6. Classification - showing how the topic fits into a larger category
7. Contrast/Negation – showing how the topic differs from others in the same class
8. Comparison – showing how the topic is similar to others in the class
9. Analogy – explaining by comparing two dissimilar topics, where the second is familiar to the
audience
10. Examples - a thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule
11. Illustrations - an example serving to clarify or prove something