LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET IN ENGLISH 10

Worksheet Sheet No.2, Quarter: 4

Learner’s Name : ____________________________________________

Grade Level/Section : ____________________________________________
Date :____________________________________________

LET’S SAY WHAT WE MEAN

I. LEARNING SKILLS
A. Most Essential Learning Competency
EN10V-IIa-13.9 : Give technical and operational definitions
B. Objective
Construct technical and operational definitions

II. INTRODUCTORY CONCEPT

Speech is one of the communication methods that has been endowed strictly
upon the human race. With words, we’re able to communicate our thoughts, visions,
and emotions to other humans. Each word corresponds to something and almost
everything has a corresponding word. However, the relationship of words to “things”
is not one-to-one. One word may have several definitions and one definition may
correspond to several words (synonyms). The point is that even though we use the
same words, those words can (and often do) have quite distinctly different meanings
which causes disputes and misunderstanding. In this Activity Sheet, let’s try to avoid
confusion by defining the terms technically and operationally. Let’s now learn how
these things work!

TECHNICAL DEFINITION is a very detailed description of a term, process or

phenomenon. When preparing a document many times the writer has to use some
terms that might be unknown to the audience but is essential to understand the
author’s idea. Technical definitions are used to introduce the vocabulary which
makes communication in a particular field succinct and unambiguous.

How do we write technical definitions?

1. Parenthetical Definitions – often you can define a term by using a more familiar
synonym in parenthesis.
Example: As the horse came around the corner, it started to trot (jog).
The viscosity (thickness) of the syrup made it difficult to pour.

2. Sentence Definitions – more complex terms may need a sentence definition

(which may be more than one sentence). Sentence definitions follow a set pattern…
Na Cla De
me ss fini
ng
Mercury Metal liquid
Ch
at room temperature
ara
1 cte
ris
tic
Examples:
 Mercury is a metal that becomes liquid at room temperature.
 Carbohydrates are food group including sugars and starches.
 An algorithm is a finite description of a finite number of steps required
to accomplish some well-defined task.

Tips for Writing Sentence Definitions

 Take particular care when you write the reference to the class to which the
term belongs; it sets up a larger frame of reference or context.
 Give the readers something familiar to associate the term with. 
 Avoid vague references to the class the term belongs to: for example, instead
of calling a concussion an "injury", be more specific like "a serious head
injury".
 Provide plenty of specific detail in the characteristics component to allow the
readers to form their own understanding of the term you are defining.
 Be aware that formal sentence definition will likely contain additional
potentially unfamiliar terms and you need to explain them as well, possibly by
using parenthetical definition.
Example:
Carbohydrates are food group including sugars, starches and cellulose
(fiber).

3. Extended Definitions – long, paragraph definitions that consider all of the various
sources of information (e.g. description, process narration, causal discussion, and
classification) that can help define the term adequately; preferably used in academic
and scientific paper
Example: Measles is an acute, highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The
illness is characterized by a cough, fever, and maculopapular (raised red)
rash. It has worldwide endemicity - that is, people throughout the world are
vulnerable to the disease.

OPERATIONAL DEFINITION is a statement that describes how a particular variable

is to be measured, or how an object or condition is to be recognized. Operational
definitions tell you what to do or what to observe. (The word “operational” means
“describing what to do.”) Operational definition is the definition of a variable in terms
of the actual procedures used by the researcher to measure and or manipulate it. It
needs to be clear and precise so that a reader knows exactly what to observe or
measure.

Tips for Writing Operational Definitions

 Look over the written plan for carrying out an investigation, or write up a plan.
 Identify and list any variables or terms that do not have a single, clear,
obvious meaning.
 If there are several reasonable ways to make an observation or to perform an
action, choose one that suits the purpose of the investigation.
 Write a clear, complete definition of what the researcher should do or
measure.

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  Check your definition by asking yourself, will this definition tell another person
what to observe or how to measure? If necessary, revise your definition
before starting your investigation.

Example 1: Operational definition: The fastest ball is the one that crosses the finish
line before all the other balls.
When you read or write an operational definition, ask yourself, “Does this
definition describe what to do or what to observe?” In the example just given, the
student teams would be able to use the procedure and the definition to compare their
results. Here are some other examples of operational definitions.

Example 2: Lemon juice, vinegar, and certain other substances are acids. To find
out whether a substance is an acid, place a drop of the substance on blue litmus
paper.
Operational definition: Substances that cause the litmus paper to turn pink are acid.

Example 3: To measure a person’s pulse, place your index and middle fingers lightly
on the inside of the person’s wrist and find the beating artery.
Operational definition: The pulse is the number of beats counted in 1 minute.

III. ACTIVITIES
A. Practice Tasks
Practice Task 1. Emerging Distinction
Read the statements below and write TD if the statement refers to Technical
Definition, or OD if the statement refers to Operational Definition. Write your answers on
your answer sheet.
______1. used by the researcher to measure and or manipulate a variable in terms
of the actual procedures
______2. used to introduce the vocabulary which makes communication in a
particular field succinct and unambiguous
______3. a statement that describes how a particular variable is to be measured, or
how an object or condition is to be recognized
______4. a very detailed description of a term, process or phenomenon
______5. a statement tells us what to do or what to observe

Practice Task 2. Perfect Fit

Choose the most appropriate definition of the underlined word as it is used in
each of the following sentences. Write the letter of your answer on your answer
sheet.
1. Family harmony provides a sense of belonging and a feeling of security.
a. Pleasing combination or arrangement of different things
b. Good relations of members
2. When conflict arises, it threatens that security.
a. To announce an intended harm to a person
b. To cause to feel insecure
3. Unresolved conflict may damage a marriage and the entire family.
a. Not decided
b. Not settled

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 4. One major source of family conflict is within the area of finances –
specifically the lack of enough money to pay bills, buy foods and other
necessities.
a. Money available to the government
b. To provide money to cover expenses
5. Another cause of family conflict is the rivalry that occurs within siblings.
a. Competition
b. Jealousy
Practice Task 3. Tune it Up
Write an operational definition for each underlined idea. Write your answer on
your answer sheet.
Example: You have to classify vertebrates as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds,
or mammals.
Answer: A bird is an animal that has two feet, a pair of wings, and feathers.

1. On a cold day, let the water in the pan freeze outdoors.

2. You will test these two fertilizers to determine which one helps plants grow
faster.
3. People who take a driver’s education course are probably better drivers
than drivers who do not.
4. When you finish working on an experiment, wash your hands thoroughly.
5. A psychologist wants to know if his new form of psychotherapy will make
people less depressed.

B. Assessment

I. Read each item carefully regarding technical definition. Choose the best option to
answer the following questions. Write the letter of your answer on your answer
sheet.

1. Which of the following is NOT a reason why it is important to define a term

or concept?
a. Because you are legally responsible for any document you prepare, clear
and precise definitions are essential
b. Terms and concepts may be unfamiliar to your audience
c. All users agree on one meaning for a term in all situations
d. Readers may have general understanding of a term but not on how it is
being used in a new context
2. Which of the following is NOT a way that a definition can be expanded?
a. Explaining what a term does not mean
b. Comparing an unfamiliar term with anything familiar
c. Giving terms origin and background
d. Listing only some of the parts
3. A sentence definition does all the following EXCEPT:
a. Include the name of the item to be defined
b. Always state the definition in a one-sentence format
c. Give the features that differentiate the item from all others in its class as
the final element of the definition

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 d. State the class to which the item belongs as the second element of the
definition
4. Which of the following guidelines should you AVOID when writing a clear
and precise definition?
a. Consider the legal implications of your definition
b. Classify the item precisely
c. Reject characteristics
d. Consider the ethical implications of your definition

5. Questions to ask about definitions include all of the following EXCEPT:

a. Does the definition obscure rather than clarify the meaning?
b. Does the level of technicality connect with the readers?
c. Are all information sources documented?
d. Does the definition provide specific details?

II. Give the technical and operational definition of each of the following terms and
concepts. Use the table below as your guide and write your answer on your answer
sheet.

Word to Be Defined Technical Definition Operational Definition

Coronavirus
Pandemic
Social Distancing
Quarantine
Home-schooling

IV. REFERENCES

Forming Operational Definitions. https://bxscience.enschool.org/ourpages

/auto/2012/1/30/56732630/operationaldefinitions.pdf
McMurrey, David. Extended Definition: Just what does that mean?. https://www.
prismnet.com/~hcexres/textbook/def.html
Nix, Luke. Importance of Defining Terms.
https://crossexamined.org/importance-defining-terms/
Operational definitions worksheet. https://www.germantownschools.org/faculty
/kkorek/Handouts/Methods_and_Approaches/MA-WS1%20%20Operational%20Definitions%
20Worksheet%20Answers.pdf

Congratulations! You have completed your learning adventure!

Good luck on your next learning journey!

Prepared by:

Lyra B. Bedis, Teacher I

Vinisitahan National High School, Albay Division

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Quality Assured by:

Jovito A. Briones , Jr.

Teacher II

Irene A. Marquez
Teacher III