Group 1

TECHNICAL
WRITING
TECHNIQUE NO. 1
DEFINITION
DEFINITION
-Latin words finire (to limit) and de
(from)

-A way of giving or explaining the

meaning of an abstract or a
concept

-It gives only a limited terms to what

the readers needs to know
TYPES & WAYS OF DEFINING TERMS
IN TECHNICAL WRITING
1.Informal definition

2.Formal definition

3.Expanded, extended or
amplified definition

4.Combined definition
1.) INFORMAL DEFINITION
Parenthetical definition , in-text
definition or dictionary definition

Appears in a form
synonym
phrase or clause
Cont.

Distinguished or separated
dash
colon
comma
parentheses
italics or bold
Examples

Dash

ROM-Read Only Memory- is a

special memory that can be read from
but not written into
Cont.

Parentheses

a tumor (swelling) signaling the presense of

cancer in one’s body is either malignant or
benign

Comma

(phrase) A triptych, a painting on three

adjacent panels, is displayed on the lobby.

(clause) Farad, which is a unit of electricity

capacity, sounds unfamiliar to the newly hired
Electrician
Cont.

Radar- an acronym for radio detection

and range; a determining factor in anti-
aircraft defense system

Hub-bub- a noisy, confused mingling of

sounds

Snarling iron- a long-beaked tool used in

embossing metal
2.) FORMAL DEFINITION
Aristotelian and one-sentence logical
definition

It defines a formal manner

-mention the term or species
-name the genus, group or class
-give the differentia (it indicates the
difference from other class)
Cont.

It is a logical or a step-by-step method

(meaningful)

Three elements; ‘term’ ‘genus’

‘differentia’ (contains in one complete
sentence)
Examples
Modem is a device that changes the form of data
so that another media can transmit them

Settee is a long couch or padded seat with a back

and often with arms for two or three people

An usher is a person who escorts people to their

seats.
NOTE:
Failure to specify the class or
group of the term will make the
reader give any meaning among
the ones enumerated in the
dictionary
a.) Cast
-to throw a ball
-to discard a card
-to assemble data for a horoscope
-to register vote
-to give birth to a cow prematurely
-undigested matter like bone, fur, etc
-actors in a play
-a plaster
-a tinge of some color
-addition of figures
-a coil of sand passed by a ringworm
Cont.

b.) Bore
-a deep hole made up by drilling
-a nuisance
-The internal cylinder of a gun barrel
-an uninteresting person
-a high-tidal wave
-past tense of the verb bear
-to thrust the head forward and down
“Guidelines in giving a formal or
one-sentence logical definition”
a. Give one and only one meaning

b. Put genus or class that is familiar to your

readers

c. Prevent readers from thinking any

comparable and contrasting features from
specific class rather than a general class
Cont.

d. Use positive words in stating the

differentia

e. Avoid giving bias or subjective definition

f. Do not commit any errors in defining

“Erroneous ways of defining a term
through the formal method”
a. Tautology or Circular definition

-a sentence that repeats its term

-a good formal definition does not

repeat the term appear twice in the
sentence
Cont.

Examples

A soldering gun is an iron to solder metal

surfaces.

A teacher is one who teaches.

b. Analogy or Figurative definition

-instead of giving additional information

about the word , you just compare it to the
other terms
Cont.

Examples

The mouse of a computer looks like a rat.

A camera is similar to your eyes when it operates

Father is similar to a post of a house

c. Negative or no-not definition

-simply presents as the antithesis or the

opposite of another term

-language structure like; no, not, neither,

none, never and affixes (-dis, -im, -un, in)
Cont.

Examples

A stapler is not an envelope opener

A servant is not a boss of a group

A bolo is not a knife

d. Is where or is when definition

- using where and when after the linking

verb is does not complement the term.

-where and when has to be changed to

a word similar in rank or class to the target
term.
Cont.

Examples

A university is where one earns a degree to

mark on academic achievement.

Enrollment is when a person goes to a school

and lets the school officials list down his or her name
in the school register.
3.) EXTENDED, EXPANDED, OR
AMPLIFIED DEFINITION

 A type of definition goes beyond the

sentential level
 it expands into a paragraph-length

 using three to ten sentences

 WAYS IN EXPANDING A TERM
a.) Etymology or word derivation
-gives the origin of the term based on
the country that first introduce

Example
Technology is a English term coming from these
three words; [Greek] technikos; [Latin] technicus;
[French] technique
b.) Historical definition
-it focuses on linguistics origin or background
-knowledge of the syllables and roots of
words
-it mentioned
people, places, and dates

Example
Iron is a metallic element that rust readily in moist
air. The very people capable of extracting iron
ores were the Egyptian…………………………………
c.) Negation or Elimination
-aspects, element or properties of the term
or concept that don’t contribute to the
existence of the such term

-uses negative sentence than positive ones

Example
Cast-iron fiber is a new substance designed to
reinforce concrete or mortar. It is manufactured
from non-crystalline metallic strips know as Fibralex.
d.) Operating principle
-the process involved in the production or
creation of the thing referred to by the term
being defined

-consist of events occurring sequentially

-uses chronological order

-arranged by the time of occurrences

Cont.

-Uses conjunctions and conjunctions adverb

• first, second, then, next, soon, previously, lastly,
finally, afterwards, before

Example

Eluidics is a new way of controlling automatic

devices. The use of fluid is the key to its operation.
e.) Comparison-contrast
-Extends your explanation of a concept or a
thing by pointing out how much thing or
concept is similar to or different from other
concept

-use appropriate conjunctions

(comparing) as similar to, also, both,
the same, as , as like, among others

(contrasting) but, opposite, in contrast

to, contrary to, conversely, while,
Example

Microcomputers are like mini-computer that have

CPU, memory and input/output circuits
integrated into one or more large scale-
integrated. Both of them use multi-circuit chips.
f.) Analysis by partitioning
- a clearer picture of the concept or the
thing is given by examining and explaining
the nature, characteristics and functions of
each component or parts of a thing

Example

Tektite is an American experimental vessel to

enable man in living and working under the sea
for days and even weeks. This vessel is made of
two large metal cylinder ……………………..
g.) Use of example

-a term or a concept by means of this type

of amplified definition is how this concept
applies to another concept or how one uses
it in a certain situation

Example
Glass is a hard, brittle and transparent or
translucent material used for glazing; that is, for
fitting a window or a picture frame with glass.
h.) Explication
-uses difficult expression have the function
of unlocking the difficulties in the
proceeding sentence

- The second , the third or succeeding

sentences operate to the the meaning of
the difficult sentences
Example

Design rules are procedures or conventions

established to direct any architectural or
construction project. This term , design , is an
expression to mean a plan or an idea of a formal
structure of a picture.
i.) Stipulative Definition
-It explain this word based on a special
condition a particular purpose a
requirement or a limitation affecting
agreement between or among people

Examples
When this term, iron bridge is used in one
technical paper, it means strong
communication between two identical
companies.
j) Operational Definition

-explain the indispensable function or use

of this thing in the process project or
activity
4.) COMBINED DEFINITION
 Several types of definition can be used
in one paragraph to expand its
meaning

 paragraph-length
-must begin with formal or one-
sentence logical definition
Cont.

 must introduce the term in a sentence

that exactly specifies its genus or class
and its function or purpose

 Then extends its meaning through the

various methods of definition
EXAMPLE
Communication is a method of exchanging an ideas or
information with one another. This term comes from the Latin
term, communicare, meaning exchanging of ideas. It is not a
one-way activity but a two-way process. Following a cyclical
pattern, communication as a process, begins with speakers
stocking their brains with ideas and sending these to receivers
or speakers who must in turn react or respond to the message
they have received from the speaker. This interactive
communication process takes place in any types of
communication. Example of this mutual exchange of ideas
are interpersonal communication, group communication and
inter-cultural or cross-cultural communication. When this term,
communication, is applied to technical writing, it means
expressing of ideas on arts; science, engineering, technology,
and other field of knowledge through the use of clear, simple,
and direct language.
IMPORTANCE OF DEFINITION
1.) it gives the reader a clearer and easier
understanding of the concept or idea
enough to encourage him to read
continuously till the end of the text.

2.) it explains ideas or concept behind

various innovation, methods and techniques
in the field of technology.
Cont.

3.) it lessens the gap between technological

experts or ”high-tech” people and “low-
tech” people.

4.) it frees a person from any confusing, or

wrong understanding of a term
Cont.

5.) it helps a company member do his job

more efficiently towards a certain goal.

6.) it makes any technical written work to all

kinds of audience of readers
PLACEMENT OF DEFINITION IN THE
TEXT
1.) the nature of audience or readers

2.) length of the definition

3.) the purpose an d layout

4.) the agreed rules and practices

Cont.
Footnote
-meaning, one-two sentence long

Glossary
- if the definition consist of just a word or
phrase or if you think the reader is not inclined to
read the report completely.
-it decreases the readers attention in
reading every time he consults the Glossary for
the meaning of a difficult term. (disadvantage)

Appendix
-if it uses 200 words or more, or it serves
several purposes for the reader
 END
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