DIVISION OF GEN.

TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

Name: _______________________________________ Grade & Section: __________________

ACTIVITY SHEET #4: Technical and Operational Definition

GEAR UP
MELC: Give technical and operational definitions
Observe correct grammar in making definitions

At the end of this worksheet, the learners will be able to:

1. identify terms to be defined in the research report;
2. differentiate technical from operational definitions; and
3. write the technical and operational definitions using correct grammar.

ENGAGE
TECHNICAL & OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Definition is a statement of the meaning of a word or word group or a sign or symbol. In technical writing, it is
the process of assigning a precise meaning to a term. Defining terms is important in writing a research report
because a research report often contains words that are used in specific ways in different disciplines. Your
definition will help the reader understand how the a specific term or words is used in the research.
Types of Definition
1. Technical definition – is used to introduce the vocabulary which makes communication in particular field
to the point and clear. It is usually given by experts in the field wherein the nature, scope and meaning of
the term is exact. Examples include the terms and definitions of the words found in dictionary.
Ex. Financial capability, according to World Bank (2013), is an internal capacity to act in one’s
best financial interest, given socio-economic environmental conditions.
2. Operational definition – is the specific meaning of a word or phrase given to it by the group of people
who use the word in their specific context. It focuses more on the to ensure comprehensive knowledge of
the word / concept by specifying how they are measured and applied and how they can be recognized
within a particular set of circumstances.
Ex. Financial capability is about making judgements on how we use and manage our money in
ways that benefit us now and in the future.
Both technical and operational definitions give the meaning of the term / concept ‘financial capability.’ But
notice how the technical definition explains it according to World Bank, which is more abstract and theoretical.
On the other hand, the operational definition explain it based on how people apply it in their everyday lives.

Ways of Writing Definition

Generally, a formal definition has the following parts:
The group of object or concept to The special characteristics that make the term different
The term Verb
which the term belongs from the others in its group
to act in one’s best financial interest, given socio-
Financial capability is an internal capacity
economic environmental conditions
on how we use and manage our money in ways
Financial capability is about making judgements
that benefit us now and, in the future

An important skill to develop in order to make grammatically correct definitions is the use of present tense
verbs, as well as relative pronouns, verbals (gerund, infinitive, participle) and prepositional phrases in stating
the special or the distinguishing characteristics of the term defined.
1. Present tense verbs – It is important to note that most definitions use the present tense form of the verb
since the meaning provided commonly expresses a general fact / information or a statement of truth.
Keep in mind the subject-verb agreement rule – singular subject takes a singular verb (e.x. Financial
capability is …) and plural subject takes a plural verb (ex. Financial capabilities are…).
2. Relative Pronouns – The relative pronouns you can use in making definitions include – that, which, who,
whom, whose, where, when, wherein, whereby, by which used to introduce a dependent clause that
gives the special characteristics of the term being defined.
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 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

Ex. Anti-life acts are measures which are intended to end life willfully and consciously.
3. Verbals – These are gerund (-ing form such giving), an infinitive (to+verb such as to act), or a participle
(past participle such as used or present participle such as using) used to introduce the special
characteristics of the term being defined.
Ex. Financial capability is an internal capacity to act in one’s best financial interest.
infinitive
Physics is a branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter.
past participle
4. Prepositional Phrase – includes prepositions such as about, in, on, for, to (+noun), as, etc. used to
introduce the special characteristics of the term being defined.
Ex. Financial capability is about making judgements on how we use and manage our money.
Protein is a macronutrient for building muscle mass.

TEST
Directions: Determine the type of definition used in each sentence. Write technical or operational on the
blank.
__________________1. Examination is a formal test of a person’s knowledge or proficiency in a particular
subject or skill.
__________________ 2. Cellphone is a device whom a person uses to access his Facebook, Instagram and
Tiktok accounts.
__________________ 3. Academic performance is the measurement of student achievement across various
academic subjects.
__________________ 4. Health is the state when a person has no disease, eats a balanced diet, and has a
normal weight.
__________________ 5. Success are the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

REINFORCE
Directions: Using the sentences in TEST, break down its parts to determine if the definition is
grammatically correct or not. Write the different parts under the correct column, and on the last
column, put a check () if it is grammatically correct and cross ( ) if not.
The group of object or concept The special characteristics that make the term different Grammatically
The term Verb
to which the term belongs from the others in its group Correct
1. Examination
of a person’s knowledge or proficiency in a
is a formal test YES
particular subject or skill.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

INTEGRATE
Directions: Read carefully the except of a Review of Related Literature from a study and look for the
five words given on the table. Based on how these words / terms were used in the RRL, write a
definition for each word. Remember to make your definitions grammatically correct.
Face to face learning engagement of students and teachers within the school has been suspended due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Most countries around the world have temporarily closed educational institutions to contain the
spread of the virus and reduce infections (Tria, 2020). For the continuity of education and for every school to still
attain its mission and vision which is to provide quality education to every Filipino learner, the Department of
Education implemented the Modular Distance Learning.
Distance Learning refers to a learning delivery modality, where learning takes place between the teacher and the
learners who are geographically remote from each other during instruction. This modality has three types: Modular
Distance Learning (MDL), Online Distance Learning (ODL), and TV/Radio-Based Instruction (Quinones, 2020).
Modular learning is the most popular type of Distance Learning. In the Philippines, this learning modality is
currently used by all public schools because according to a survey conducted by the Department of Education
(DepEd), learning through printed and digital modules emerged as the most preferred distance learning method of
parents with children who are enrolled this academic year (Bernardo, J). This is also in consideration of the learners
in rural areas where internet is not accessible for online learning.
The teacher takes the responsibility of monitoring the progress of the learners. The learners may ask assistance
from the teacher via e-mail, telephone, text message/instant messaging among others. Where possible, the teacher
shall do home visits to learners needing remediation or assistance (Llego, n.d.). Printed Modules will be delivered to
students, parents or guardians by the teachers or through the Local Government Officials.
Since education is no longer held within the school, parents serve as partners of teachers in education. Parents
play a vital role as home facilitators. Their primary role in modular learning is to establish a connection and guide the
child. (FlipScience, 2020). According to the Department of Education (DepEd), parents and guardians' perform the
various roles in Modular Learning such as Module-ator, Bundy-clock, and as Home Innovator. As a Module-ator, they
are the ones to get and submit the printed Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) from and to schools or barangay halls at
the beginning and end of the week, depending on the agreement between the parents and the school. As a Bundy-
clock, they must check their child's schedule or workweek plan. Because of the number of subjects or activities to be
done, they must see that it is being followed accordingly to avoid cramming or delays in submission, which may affect
the child's performance. Lastly, as a Home Innovator, they must provide their child with a productive learning
environment to help them focus more on Learning. It must be a well-lighted and well-ventilated space in the house,
with little or no distraction.
Source: Dangle, Ysthr Rave Pe and Johnine Danganan Sumaoang. (2020). The Implementation of Modular Distance Learning
in the Philippine Secondary Public Schools. Retrieved from https://www.dpublication.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/27-427.pdf

Terms Definition

1. Distance Learning

2. Modular Learning

3. Module-ator

4. Bundy-clock

5. Home Innovator

ASSESS
Directions: Read each question carefully. Write the letter of your answer on the blank.
______ 1. What type of definition states or describes exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of a term or concept?
a. expanded definition c. operational definition
b. extended definition d. technical definition

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 DIVISION OF GEN. TRIAS CITY
Project ISuLAT – ACTIVITY SHEETS in ENGLISH 10
(Intensified Support to Learning Alternatives Through Activity Sheets)

______ 2. Which of the following uses an operational definition of the term or word?
a. Computer is a machine used in doing homework or browsing the internet.
b. Computer memory is one of the three basic components of a computer which stores information.
c. Computer is a device or machine used in performing, assessing and evaluation following
commands set by users.
d. A bug is a condition in a computer program that causes the program to behave in a way that is
different from its specifications.
______ 3. Study the sentence, “Self-supporting students are learners who work three or four hours a day to
provide their needs.” What type of definition was used?
a. expanded definition c. operational definition
b. extended definition d. technical definition
______ 4. Which is NOT a usual part of a formal definition?
a. term being defined c. the characteristics of the term
b. the class / category the term belongs d. the correct spelling of the term
______ 5. Study the definition, “Thirst is a distressful feeling caused by a desire or need for water.” What was
used to introduce the specific characteristic of the term?
a. relative pronoun c. past participial phrase
b. infinitive phrase d. prepositional phrase

SHARPEN
Directions: Recall your chosen topic, statement of the problem, and review of related literature. Choose
at least THREE terms / words / concepts that need to be defined based on how these words will be used
in your study. Write the words below and their corresponding definitions. Observe correct grammar in
creating your definitions.

1. Word / Term ________________________

Definition _____________________________________________________________________

2. Word / Term ________________________

Definition _____________________________________________________________________

3. Word / Term ________________________

Definition _____________________________________________________________________

Rubric
Criteria Standards Points Score
All three terms identified really requires to be defined in the context of their research topic. 5
DEFINITION All three definitions of each term follow the general parts of a formal definition. 5
All three definitions are grammatically correct and organized well. 5
EFFORT All requirements of the output were met. Answers were well-thought of and written legibly with little to no erasures. 5
References:
Dumuk, Aizie. (26 May 2021). Technical and Operational Definitions || Quarter 4 Week 2. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8kKMtVPg98
ENGLISHBYTES with Sir Ibon. (15 December 2020). English 10 Quarter 1 Module 1 Lesson 2 The Grammar of Definitions. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gxh674NHoA
English with Geronimo. (23 May 2021). Technical and Operational Definitions | Research. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBsCGmSryOY
Gaughan, Elizabeth Therese. How to Write a Definition (2009). Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/josezubia/how-to-write-a-definition
ITS 311: IT Communications. (2021) Retrieved from https://stevevincent.info/ITS311_7.htm
What is Operational Definition. (2021). Retrieved from https://search.zonealarm.com/Search/?q=operational+definition+template
Teacher Q. Asuncion. (17 May 2021). English 10 Quarter 4 Lesson 2: Technical and Operational Definitions. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9IfeWd4fZ4

TEACHER’S FEEDBACK

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