09/08/2019

What do we mean by
“denotation”
and
“connotation”
?

Give an example
to differentiate
the two.

What is a definition?
 It is a statement of the meaning of a term (a word, phrase,
or other set of symbols).
 According to Merriam-Webster:
▪ A statement expressing the essential nature of something
▪ A statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign
or symbol
▪ The action or process of stating the meaning of a word or
word group

Technical Definition
 used to introduce the vocabulary which makes
Types of Definition communication in a particular field succinct (briefly and
clearly expressed) and unambiguous (not open to more
than one interpretation).
 The main types of Technical Definitions are:
1) Parenthetical definitions (Informal)
2) Sentence definitions (Formal)
3) Extended definitions

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➢ Informal Definition *Parenthetical Definition

 comes in the form of a word or a phrase often times
called a synonym or antonyms introduced by or, in other
words, or like.
 Writers use known words or examples to explain an
unknown term.
❖ Example:
Freedom, also referred to as liberty or independence, is a
state people reach when they are free to think and do
whatever they please.
 an example of an informal definition.These are words that
quickly explain a term and are included within the same
sentence as the word being defined.
 used to explain words that need clarification but are not
the main focus of the document.
❖ Example:
Our company should invest in creating sinistral (left-
handed) office supplies to meet the growing market demand.

More examples for Parenthetical Definition ➢ Formal Definition

1) The viscosity (thickness) of the syrup made it difficult to  also called as Sentence definitions, is used when we want to
pour. define a term briefly, that is to mention one characteristic for
the term being defined.
2) Once he dropped his dikes (wire cutters) he had no
way to complete the job.  structured in a logical and concise pattern.
3) The software has received many reviewers’ accolades  It consists of 3 parts:
1) Genus - the term (word or phrase) to be defined
(praises).
2) Species - the class of object or concept to which the term belongs
4) This news has left me totally flabbergasted (surprised). 3) Differentia - the differentiating characteristics that distinguish it
from others of its class

Examples for Formal Definition Caution!

Genus – Species – Differentia
1) Computer memory is the hardware that allows a
computer to temporarily store data.
2) Water is a liquid which consists of two atoms of
hydrogen and one atom of oxygen.
3) Food is any nutritious substance that people or animals
eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain
life and growth.
 It is important to carefully limit the species. The narrower the
species, the more exact the definition will be.
❖ A rifle is a dangerous object that shoots bullets.
❖ A rifle is a firearm with a long, narrow barrel.
 Avoid the words “when” or “where” after the verb ‘to be’.
Using these words prevents the clear statement of the genus
as a noun phrase.
❖ A crypt is where people are buried.
❖ A crypt is a subterranean chamber in which people are buried.

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Caution!
 Don’t use a form of the word being defined to define the
word.
 Shutter speed is the speed at which the shutter opens and
closes.
✓ Shutter speed is a measurement of the time during which a
camera’s mechanism allows film to be exposed to the light.
Caution!
 Avoid being…
 too technical – The writer has not explained plainly enough
 too broad – The writer has not focused on what the word
means in context.
 too narrow – The writer has not given a definition that is
general enough that the reader might recognize other cases of
the thing being defined.

Guidelines for Writing Formal Definitions Guidelines for Writing Formal Definitions
Guidelines Examples
Guidelines Examples
Avoid long words and long •The Internet, which is commonly confused with
Be specific about the •A modem is a thing that… [vague]
sentences in technical writing. If the World Wide Web, is a global system of
species. •A modem is a device that…[specific]
necessary, break the formal networked computers that allows user-to-user
•A modem is an electronic device that… [more specific]
definition into two sentences, communication and transfer of data files from one
Use the same part of •HTML is used when…[incorrect](noun) (passive verb) rather than producing a very machine to another. The World Wide Web is the
speech for the class as the •HTML is a code used when.. [correct] (noun) (noun) long sentence. concept for presenting and linking information on a
word that is being defined. network.[too long]
Whenever possible, don't •Hypertext Mark-up Language is a language….[incorrect] • The Internet is a global system of networked
repeat the term in the class •Hypertext Mark-up Language is a code used computers that allows user-to-user communication
or distinguishing when…[correct] and transfer of data files. It is commonly confused
characteristics section. with the World Wide Web, a concept for
presenting and linking information on a network.
[improved]

Guidelines for Writing Formal Definitions Reduced Adjective Clauses in Definitions

Guidelines
Make sure there is sufficient
information in the adjective
clause to distinguish the term
from other members of the class.
Examples
•A modem is a device that is used with a computer
and a telephone. [insufficient]
•A modem is a device that makes possible the
transmission of data to or from a computer via
telephone. [sufficient]
 Technical writers should avoid wordiness. One way to
eliminate unnecessary words is to reduce adjective clauses.
 An adjective clause is simply a group of words with a
subject and a verb that provide a description. The
clause starts with a pronoun such as who, whom, that, or
which or an adverb such
as when, where and why.

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Guidelines Guidelines
1. Drop the relative pronoun and the verb “to be” if the • [adjective clause with a prepositional phrase]
adjective clause contains a prepositional phrase, an  An electronic book is a document that is on diskette or hard drive.
adjective, or a passive verb. ✓ An electronic book is a document on diskette or hard drive.

• [adjective clause with an adjective] • [adjective clause with a passive verb]

 An electronic book is a document that is lengthy enough to  A campus wide information system is an online service that is used
be considered a book. as a central source of information at a college or university.
✓ An electronic book is a document lengthy enough to be ✓ A campus wide information system is an online service used as a
considered a book. central source of information at a college or university.

Guidelines Example:
❖ Reduce the adjective clause by changing the word or  PPP is a method for connecting a personal computer that
word form in these two situations: has a modem to the Internet.
1. The adjective clause contains the verb have/has.  PPP is a method for connecting a personal computer having a
▪ [Drop the relative pronoun and change have/has to having.] modem to the Internet.
-OR-  PPP is a method for connecting a personal computer with a
modem to the Internet.
▪ [Drop the relative pronoun and have/has. Replace using with.]

Guidelines
2. The verb is in an active state and the relative pronoun is
the subject.
▪ [Drop the relative pronoun and change the verb to the -ing
form.]

 Links are highlighted text that point to additional information.

 Links are highlighted text pointing to additional information.