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Writing Definitions - Exercise

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69 views2 pages

Writing Definitions - Exercise

hi

Uploaded by

nikkie
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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source: Definitions - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University.

Accessed January 23, 2023, from:


https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/definitions.html

Writing Definitions
A formal definition is based upon a concise, logical pattern that includes as much information as it can within a
minimum amount of space. The primary reason to include definitions in your writing is to avoid
misunderstanding with your audience. A formal definition consists of three parts:

1. The term (word or phrase) to be defined


2. The class of object or concept to which the term belongs
3. The differentiating characteristics that distinguish it from all others of its class

For example:

 Water (term) is a liquid (class) made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 2 to 1
(differentiating characteristics).
 Comic books (term) are sequential and narrative publications (class) consisting of illustrations,
captions, dialogue balloons, and often focus on super-powered heroes (differentiating characteristics).
 Astronomy (term) is a branch of scientific study (class) primarily concerned with celestial objects
inside and outside of the earth's atmosphere (differentiating characteristics).

Although these examples should illustrate the manner in which the three parts work together, they are not the
most realistic cases. Most readers will already be quite familiar with the concepts of water, comic books, and
astronomy. For this reason, it is important to know when and why you should include definitions in your writing.

When to Use Definitions

 When your writing contains a term that may be key to audience understanding and that term could
likely be unfamiliar to them:

"Stellar Wobble is a measurable variation of speed wherein a star's velocity is shifted by the
gravitational pull of a foreign body."

 When a commonly used word or phrase has layers of subjectivity or evaluation in the way you choose
to define it:

"Throughout this essay, the term classic gaming will refer specifically to playing video games produced
for the Atari, the original Nintendo Entertainment System, and any systems in-between."

Note: not everyone may define "classic gaming" within this same time span; therefore, it is important to
define your terms.

 When the etymology (origin and history) of a common word might prove interesting or will help
expand upon a point:

"Pagan can be traced back to Roman military slang for an incompetent soldier. In this sense, Christians
who consider themselves soldiers of Christ are using the term not only to suggest a person's secular
status, but also their lack of bravery.'

Additional Tips for Writing Definitions

 Avoid defining with "X is when" and "X is where" statements. These introductory adverb phrases
should be avoided. Define a noun with a noun, a verb with a verb, and so forth.
 Do not define a word by mere repetition or merely restating the word.

"Rhyming poetry consists of lines that contain end rhymes."  WRONG


source: Definitions - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University. Accessed January 23, 2023, from:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/definitions.html

Better:

"Rhyming poetry is an art form consisting of lines whose final words consistently contain identical,
final stressed vowel sounds."

 Define a word in simple and familiar terms. Your definition of an unfamiliar word should not lead your
audience towards looking up more words in order to understand your definition.

e.g.

"The dialectical interface between neo-obstructionists and anti-disestablishment GOPers is stuck in a morass of
quibbling over pettifog."

The paper was about discussions between students and lawmakers over stricter gun laws for assault weapons.
The sentence, in plain English, reads as this:

"The logical discussions between student protesters and Republican lawmakers resisting change are bogged
down because of arguing over petty things."

(source: The Definitions Book: How to Write Definitions - Unified Compliance


Accessed Jan 23, 2023, from: https://www.unifiedcompliance.com/education/how-to-write-definitions/#Using-
Words-You-and-Your-Audience-Know)

 Keep the class portion of your definition small but adequate. It should be large enough to include all
members of the term you are defining but no larger. Avoid adding personal details to definitions.
Although you may think the story about your Grandfather will perfectly encapsulate the concept of
stinginess, your audience may fail to relate. Offering personal definitions may only increase the
likeliness of misinterpretation that you are trying to avoid.

Exercise 1:

Write definitions for the following terms and concepts in your own words
(i.e., without citing any source).
You may find it helpful to use the material from the file “Lesson 3” in MS Teams.

1. Language

2. Freedom

3. Freedom of speech

4. Film

5. Book

6. Management

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