DEFINITION

Question 1

Define DEFINITION

Answer 1

one of the special techniques in technical writing which require stating the meaning of a term.

Question 2

Why is Definition an important skill for you to learn?

Answer 2

We will most likely be defining words in any technical or academic papers.

Question 3

Knowing how to properly define words will help you _____

Answer 3

get your message across

Question 4

What are the words that you need to define?

Answer 4

Simple words with special meaning in a certain field or profession
Technical terms
Difficult or high-sounding words

Question 5

These are words you do not typically hear in everyday conversations because they are ornamental or highfalutin words.

Answer 5

Difficult or high-sounding words

Question 6

These jargons convey special meanings in certain field or expertise.
These are words exclusively used in a particular profession.

Answer 6

Technical terms

Question 7

These words may seem to be ordinary, conversational words; however, since these terms are also widely used in other fields, one must define them so that confusions or misunderstanding will be avoided.

Answer 7

Simple words with special meaning in a certain field or profession

Question 8

They are used by individuals who wish to sound highly educated

Answer 8

Difficult or high-sounding words

Question 9

Define formal definition

Answer 9

A one-sentence explanation of the meaning of a word.

Question 10

This kind of definition is typically used in academic or technical papers, since they are formal papers which require standard language and format.

Answer 10

Formal definition

Question 11

Name the three parts of formal definition

Answer 11

Term, genus, and differentia

Question 12

It is the concept being defined

Answer 12

Term

Question 13

The family/classification to which the term belongs

Answer 13

Genus

Question 14

The specific characteristics or traits distinguishing a species from other classifications of the same genus

Answer 14

differentia

Question 15

What is the term, genus, and differentia in the given definition:

A mangrove is a tropical tree which grows in swaps or shallow salt water.

Answer 15

mangrove, tropical tree, which grows in swamps or shallow saltwater.

Question 16

Three parts in the given definition:

An erratum is an error in printed work discovered after printing and shown with its correction.

Answer 16

Erratum, an error in printed work, discovered after printing and shows with its correction.

Question 17

three parts:

A diary is a list of news events that journalists have advance knowledge of.

Answer 17

diary, list of news events, journalists have advance knowledge of. (?)

Question 18

Three parts:

An overnight is a story usually written late at night for the afternoon newspapers of the next day

Answer 18

Overnight, a story, usually written late at night for the afternoon newspapers of the next day

Question 19

A short explanation of the meaning of a word.

Answer 19

Informal definition

Question 20

Consists of one or more synonymous expressions substituted for the unfamiliar term used.

Answer 20

Informal definition

Question 21

Give the five guidelines in writing formal definitions

Answer 21

• Define a word in simpler and more familiar terms
• Practice grammatical parallelism
• Avoid circular definition which means the explanation of a term using the word itself or any of the derivatives
• Be specific about the genus or class
• Do not repeat the term in the class/genus

Question 22

Identify if the following definition follows the guidelines. If not, explain.
Lamentation is a feeling of lamenting.

Answer 22

No. Circular definition.

Question 23

Identify if the following definition follows the guidelines. If not, explain.
A Florence flask is a flask with a long neck.

Answer 23

No. Repeating terms.

Question 24

Identify if the following definition follows the guidelines. If not, explain.
A chromosome is any of the rod-shaped or threadlike DNA-containing structures of cellular organisms that are located in the nucleus of eukaryotes.

Answer 24

No. Must be in simpler and more familiar terms.

Question 25

Identify if the following definition follows the guidelines. If not, explain.
Hoarding is an act of collecting and to hide large number of valuables.

Answer 25

No. Grammatical parallelism.

Question 26

Identify if the following definition follows the guidelines. If not, explain.
A rifle is a tool with spiral channel inside its barrel to impart rotary motion to its
bullet.

Answer 26

No. Specific class/genus.