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Lec 4
Lec 4
Real Definition
Definition is a conceptual manifestation either of the
meaning of the term or of the formal features of an
object.
Definition
A statement conveying fundamental character.
A statement of the meaning of a word, phrase,
or term, as in a dictionary entry.
The act or process of stating a precise meaning
or significance; formulation of a meaning.
The Need for definition
Inadequate definition may cause problems for
the readers. When definitions are not used at
all, reader may become confused by multiple
meanings, complexity of meanings, technical
jargon and symbols.
Construction of definition
Definitions are valuable writing tool because they
answer questions readers have could have before the
reader verbalize them. Definitions generally fall into
four categories:
I. Informal definition
II. Formal definition
III.Operational definition
IV.Expanded definition
Informal definition are particularly useful for
technical communicators: synonyms, antonyms,
stipulation, negative, analogy and illustration.
Formal definitions (species= genus+differentia)
Are valuable for identifying the broad category to
which a term belongs as well as its distinctive
characteristics.
Operational definitions summarize or outline the
primary steps involved in a function, usually in
chronological order.
Expanded definition take many forms with each
form providing a different kind of detailed info:
etymology, history and examples.
Importance of definition in technical writing
At times in technical writing you will be required to define
terms.
You may substitute a simpler word for a difficult word
technical word or you may give a synonym.
Be cautious, at times a synonym may make it more difficult
for your audience to understand what you’re writing. At such
times it is better to use the specialized term by simply giving a
definition.
Any term that is not in your readers’ normal vocabulary
should be defined.
The less technical you audience, the more you will need to
define.
Definitions may range from a single word to a sentence or
even to a number of paragraphs.
For Example
The basic 1-sentence definition will contain the following;
TERM = CLASS + DIFFERENTIAL
EXAMPLE:
…Occasionally , a star in an advance stage of
evolution will spontaneously will explode , and
for a few months it will be several hundred
million times intrinsically more luminous than
the sun. Such a star is known as Supernova.
IN FOOTNOTES