DEFINITION

CLASSIFICATION

DEFINITION

WAYS TO DEFINE TERMS IN

TECHNICAL WRITING

?

WAYS TO DEFINE TERMS IN

TECHNICAL WRITING

Combined

EXTENDED

INFORMAL

FORMAL

FORMAL DEFINITIONA formal definition is a one-sentence explanation of the meaning of a word. When you write a formal definition, first assign the term to a class and then explain how it is different from other members of the class.

Parts of Formal Definition

Term Verb Class Characteristics

Modems Are Electronic

Devices

That make possible

the transmission of

data to or from a

computer via

telephone.

Hypertext

Mark-

Up Language

(HTML)

Is A code

Used to make

documents readable

across a variety of

platforms and software.

INFORMAL DEFINITIONInformal Definition is using a familiar word or phrases for an unfamiliar word or phrase. It is also called a parenthetical definition. When defining a word that the reader will easily understand if shown a synonym or alternative phrase, show the synonym in parentheses immediately after the word.

Radar

An acronym for radio

detection and range; a

determining factor in anti-

aircraft defense system.

Stalemate

A contest or competition in

which neither side can gain an

advantage or win.

Hub-bubA noisy, confused mingling of

sounds

EXPANDED, EXTENDED, OR IMPLIFIED

DEFINITION

Etymological

Historical

Negation/Elimination

Operating Principle

Comparison/Contrast

Uses of Examples

Explication

This version of a definition is the longest, offering the freedom to provide insight into the origin of the term, additional meanings, synonyms and antonyms, and more.

Etymological

A more formal statement about the language roots of a word. Technical terms may not have actual roots of this sort. The author explains that they are often acronyms that are better understood when the letters or parts

of the word are explained.

HistoricalAn explanation of where a term comes from, who first used it, or the circumstances in which it was first used.

Negation/Elimination

Operating Principle

Comparison/Contrast

A discussion of the term as it compares to a term that has a different meaning.A discussion of the term as it relates to a term similar in meaning.

Uses of Examples

Explication

COMBINED DEFINITION

CLASSIFICATION

GENUS:

The class to which

the term to be

explained belongs.

SPECIES:

The class member having characteristics or

distinctive qualities of its own.

BASIS:

The main reason or

principle that causes the

objects to fall into one

class.

First Dates

DogsRock Music

Schools

ReligionWeight Loss

Literature

Friendships

A first date can end up being categorized as successful, a clingy, a

boastful or awkward. Successful first dates include both parties

expressing information about what they like, who they are, and so forth.

Usually, these dates will end in tentative plans for a second one. Clingy

dates end up with one of the parties practically begging for information

about the other. However, the non-clinger is not interested. On boastful

dates, one member of the duo talks about all of his or her skills, talents,

and abilities. The listening end of the pair is never asked about his or

her life. Awkward first dates generally involve lots of silence or one or

both of the partners not knowing how to act appropriately. While many

dates occur every day, they can generally fall into one of these

categories.

First Dates

Friendships

Although friendship is something that most people enjoy, friendships are

not all the same. Some friendships are forged from a long-term familiarity

with one another, and other friendships can spring up just by spending

one fun evening together. Not all friendships result in daily or even

weekly time spent together; long-term friendships can be kept afloat

using communication tools like the Internet and telephone, while other

friendships result in sporadic get-togethers sometimes months or even

years apart. People seek different things in friendship, meaning certain

friendships result around trips to a diner or video games while other

friendships may occur due to a work relationship or general common

interests.

Schools

Different students attend various types of schools; however, they can

usually be classified as either public, private religious, private non

religious, or alternative. Public schools are funded by the state, and the

majority of students in the United States attend them. Private religious

schools are based around a particular faith, such as Catholicism,

Judaism, and so forth. The religion is part of the every day lives of the

students and they also learn about the faiths. All types of private schools

do not receive state funding. Therefore, private non religious schools are

simply just that: schools which do not receive state funding and have the

ability to make their own rules. Alternative schools can be made up of a

variety of different categories, such as the Montessori program or

technical schools. Most students who attend class in an actual school

building go to one of these types of institutions.

Literature

The word "literature" evokes the image of a book-lined shelf, or an

evening spent in a chair with a novel. While written literature has been

around since the advent of print, it has always taken on different forms.

At its most basic, literature simply means written work, although some

would argue that the term refers specifically to published works, or

even to works that have garnered some critical acclaim. High literature

connotes literature that has been accepted as academically beneficial.

"Low" literature, like some young adult fiction, doesn't always have the

intellectual value of high literature, but there is some crossover- the

novels of Stevenson and Twain were originally written to a young adult

audience but are considered classics today.

Weight Loss

People looking to lose weight have a few options: exercise, diet, weight

loss pills, and surgery. Exercising involves going to a gym, working out at

home, or joining some sort of class or sports team. Those who are

dieting can talk to a doctor about a plan for them. Weight loss pills can

be taken, if proper precautions and directions are followed. Individuals

who are severely overweight can talk to a doctor about having surgery to

lose the weight that they need.

Religion

The beliefs and practices known as religion can cause unity or

contention, can hold many things in common while promoting very

different values, can be as simple as the Golden Rule or complex as

tradition allows. The Abrahamic religions- Islam, Christianity, and

Judaism- all share a common father, Abraham. Nevertheless, the

teachings of each religion vary to such a degree that many wars and

conflicts have been fought between them. Nevertheless, most religions,

from the Abrahamic beliefs to eastern religions such as Hinduism and

Buddhism, promote loving others, living moral lives, and working toward

the benefit of humanity.

Rock Music

The genre of rock music encompasses many distinct styles under the

same umbrella. While the genre began with guitar - and piano-driven

popular songs, today there are literally hundreds of variations on the

original. Electronic rock contains elements of computer-generated or

synthesized instruments, including drum machines and electronic

guitars, in addition to some of the elements from the original

movement. Heavy metal focuses less on melody and more on heavy

guitars, while folk-rock typically uses a much more acoustic sound with

instruments like banjos and harmonicas. Emerging in the late 1970s

were glam rock and punk rock, which share a stripped-down sound and

emphasize aesthetics, while punk rock tends to be more aggressive

and glam tends to be more theatrical. Even today, rock music tends to

share a distinctive beat with electric or acoustic guitars.

Dogs

Dogs are domesticated animals that have been living with humans for

generations. Dogs can be classified in a number of different ways. For

example, they can be classified by breed. Examples of different breeds

include beagles, basset hounds, poodles and countless others as

defined by the American Kennel Club (AKC). They can also be

classified by their role in the lives of their masters and the work they do.

For example, a dog might be a family pet, a working dog, a show dog,

or a hunting dog. In many cases, dogs are defined both by their breed

and their roll. For example, a dog could be a beagle that is a family pet.