Module 9

DEFINITION
CLASSIFICATION
PARTITION

Objectives:
At the end of the chapter, the students must be able to:
1. Identify and use effective methods in defining what needs to be identified;
2. Give structural and functional relationships through classification and
partition and;
3. Apply appropriate techniques to be used in technical writing and reporting

Definition (Explaining What Something Is)

Technical terms should be defined in technical writing and reporting because of
the unfamiliarity of the great number of these terms. The problem of definition may be
avoided entirely if the writer knows how to use simple and familiar terminology.
Definition as one of the special techniques in technical writing and reporting
exemplifies the meaning of a term. It could be stated formally and informally. Each of
these methods and techniques has its own special usefulness.
A.1. INFORMAL DEFINITION
According to Mills and Walters, an Informal definition does not require the
application of an unchanging, rigid formula; rather, it is a “technique” about can be used
only when the writer can be certain that the term alone and not the referent which is
unfamiliar to the reader.
It consists one or more synonymous expressions substituted for the unfamiliar
term used.
Example:
Term Informal Definition
hookah water pipe
broadcast report
gas musk protector
 Sometimes a phrase, a clause or even a sentence may be employed in the
informal definition.
Term Informal Definition
hookah a bottle of a water pipe
broadcast the transmission of sounds or images
gas musk protects the face and lungs against poison gas

Facts about Informal Definition

1. An informal definition is partial, not a complete definition. It does not define a term in a
complete sense. A thorough understanding about the term is not necessary. The writer
merely wants the reader to identify the term relevant to his experience.
2. It can be fitted smoothly into a discussion without seriously distorting its continuity and
without appearing to be serious interruptions.
3. It lacks emphasis and completeness, which may be required if a term defines an idea
or a thing which is of critical importance in a discussion.

A.2. FORMAL DEFINITION

Formal definition focuses special attention on a term in which technical writing
best benefits because of the need for wording precision. If the writer finds the formal
sentence definition or the amplified definition more effective than the informal definition,
the technique of formal definition must be employed.
It takes two forms, the Sentence Definition and the Extended or Amplified
Definition.
1. Formal Sentence Definition
This technique of formal definition is composed of three parts:
a. species the term or concept defined
b. genus the family or class to which the species belongs
c. differentia the specific characteristics of the species which sets it
apart from all others of its class

Example:
Species Genus Differentia
 Television appliance used for viewing telecast of programs and news
reports.

The species/ terms to be defined is followed by a linking verb (is, are) and a genus
to which the species belongs. The differentia, on the other hand, is introduced by relative
pronouns (who, that or which).
Illustration:
Species Genus Differentia
A television is an appliance which is used for viewing telecast of
programs and news reports.

2. Amplified or Extended Formal Definition

A one-sentence definition sometimes is not enough in defining a complex or highly

specialized term.
Example: the term “ozone”
A formal sentence goes like this:
“A bluish gaseous reactive form of oxygen that is formed naturally in the
atmosphere and is used for disinfecting, deodorizing, and bleaching.”
A reader might be dissatisfied with this explanation, especially if it occurred in a
report particularly concerned with the subject. He might very well ask what ozone is not,
where it is located, what its function is, what its effects are. Here is what the author
of the report included in his discussion of the term:
Pointers Text
What ozone is not which some people wrongly think is the refreshing air
at the seaside, is a poisonous type of oxygen. At
ground level it makes up less than one part per million
of the air, However,

Location of ozone a thin layer of ozone about 24 kms above ground level
in the stratosphere blocks outmost of the sun’s burning

Function of ozone ultraviolet rays

Effect of ozone destroyed If these rays reached the ground, they would kill all
land animals and plants. That is why this poisonous
gas shield is important. There is considerable concern
 over reports of the possible destruction of this ozone
layer by pollutants.
Adapted

In applying a definition, determine how much has to be said and what needs to be
said. To create an understanding of a concept, presented a number of techniques that a
writer may employ.
Techniques in defining a concept according to Mills and Walter (1980):
1. Word Derivation. This gives the origin or the etymology of a term.
Disastrophism comes from the Greek word “disastrophe” meaning distortion, “did”
meaning through and “strephein” meaning to turn. Thus the word implies the
phenomenon of deformation that is, “turning through” or “distortion” of the earth’s crust
which created oceans and mountains.
2. Further Definition.
Once the writer thinks that some of the words in the definition may not be familiar
to his readers, he should go on further to explain them.
3. Concrete Examples and Instances.
This is considered the best of all techniques because it helps to give the reader
some specific examples.
4. Comparison and Contrast.
Terms can be compared because of their similarities, or they can be contrasted
because of their differences. It may be better to stress the differences between the things
compared. The relationship must be one of the unfamiliar to the familiar. If you were
attempting to explain what conventional watches are, it would help much to compare it to
digital watches.
5. Negative Statements.
This is sometimes called “negation” or “elimination”. Whatever it is called, this
really gets anywhere by telling what something is not. In some cases, you can also tell
what something is by first clearing up any confusion the term may have in the reader’s
mind with closely related terms. Consider the first two sentences about extended
definition about ozone.
6. Physical Descriptions.
 Sometimes the writer scarcely gives a reader a very thorough understanding of a
thing without telling him what it looks like. If he wishes a virtually all physical objects
treatment of a drift meter, its physical features must be presented.
7. Analysis.
It is employed when presenting what steps comprise a process, or what functional
parts make up a device, or what constituents make up a substance. This technique is
applicable to many subjects; a breakdown of a thing or idea permits the reader to think of
it a little at a time, and this is easier to do than trying to grasp the whole at once.
8. Basic Principle.
Explanation of a basic principle is applicable to processes and mechanisms.
Condensation, for instance, makes use of the fact that vapor changes to liquid.
9. Cause and Effect.
This method provides the readers the reasons for the output or result of a specific
activity. In defining a disease, the writer might very well include information about its
cause.
10. Location.
This is of minor importance but helpful to tell where a thing may be found. The
location of ozone in our example is one way of giving us amplified definition.
The aforementioned techniques do not exhaust the possibilities of amplifying a
definition. Anything the writer can say which will help the reader understand a term or
concept is acceptable. He has to depend upon his own judgment to decide how much he
needs to say and what techniques are best suited in a specific situation.

Placing Definitions in Report

Definitions should be strategically placed to suit the writer’s purposes and the
convenience of his readers. Once he has decided on the importance of the terms he
uses and the probable knowledge of his readers, he will find it easy to decide where to
put the definition.
There are three possibilities on where to put definitions in reports:
1. in the text,
2. in footnotes, and
3. in a glossary at the end of the report, or in the special section in the
introduction.
B. CLASSIFICATION AND PARTITION
(Putting Things in Order)

CLASSIFICATION

❖ is a technique of sorting items into related groups whose partition is the division of
a unit into its components.
❖ is the grouping together of objects/items according to a specified basis.
❖ is almost any act of noting relationships. (Mills and Walter 1980)
❖ is technically, the act of locating specimen of all the different kinds of objects which
possesses a given characteristic.

✔ When classifying, you choose to consider a thing that has some similarities.

Illustration:

Class (Genus) Subdivision (Species)

Carbohydrates grains, fruits, vegetables, shellfish, dairy products
Grains rice bread, doughnut

General Principles of Classification

(Laster Ann A. and Neil Ann Picket)

1. Classification is a basic approach in analysis. It places related items into categories or

groups.
2. Only a plural subject or a subject whose meaning in plural can be classified. If a
subject is singular, it can be partitioned but not classified.
3. The categories in classification must be coordinate, or parallel. All categories on the
same level must be of the same rank in grammatical form and in content.
4. The categories must be mutually exclusive. Each category should be composed of
clearly defined group that would still exist without the other categories on the same level.
5. The categories must not overlap. An item can have a place in only one category.
Example:
CLASSIFICATION OF COMPUTERS
1. Classification by Purpose
a. General Purpose Computers
b. Specific Purpose Computers
 2. Classification by Type of Data Handled
a. Analog Computers
b. Digital Computers
c. Hybrid Computers

3. Classification According to Capacity

a. Microcomputers
b. Minicomputers
c. Medium-size computers
d. Large computers
e. Supercomputers

PARTITION
● is an analysis that divides a singular item into parts, steps or aspects.
● Its purpose is to separate a particular thing into parts, pieces, sections, or
categories.

General Principles of Partition

(Laster Ann A. and Neil Ann Picket)

1. Partition is a basic approach in analysis. It divides the subject into parts so that an
individual consideration of these, a better understanding of the whole, can be achieved.
2. Only a single subject can be partitioned. If the subject is plural then, it should be
classified.
3. The divisions in partition should be coordinated, parallel and mutually exclusive.
4. The division must be completed, but it must nor overlap.
5. The data in partition analysis may be presented in outlines, in verbal and in visuals.
6. The basis on which partition is made should be clear, useful, and purposeful.
7. The order of presentation of divisions defends on their purpose. Among the possible
orders are time, familiarity, importance, complexity, space, alphabetical and random
listings.

Example:
MAIN PARTS AND SUB-PARTS OF A CLAW HAMMER

1. Handle
a. grip
2. Head
a. face
b. neck
 c. head
d. cheek
e. eye/adze eye
f. peen/claw

A. Recall and identify the techniques used in defining terminologies and

classifying concepts in technical writing and reporting.

__________1. It uses synonymous expressions substituted for the unfamiliar term used.
__________2. It is one of the special techniques in technical writing and reporting which
helps exemplify the meaning of a term.
__________3. It is used in defining a concept that answers what is, where it is located,
what its function is, what its effects are, to a complex or highly specialized term.
__________4. It is used in dividing a singular item into parts, steps or aspects.
__________5. It is a technique that includes species, genus and differentia.
__________6. It is a technique in definition that gives the origin or the etymology of a
term.
__________7. It focuses on defining term/concept using precise wordings.
__________8. It is the sorting of items into related groups whose partition is the division
of a unit into its components.
__________9. It is a technique that is done only in a single subject.
__________10. This method provides the readers the reasons for the output or result of
a specific activity.
A. Make a formal sentence definition using the words inside the parenthesis.

Model: (computer/ electronic system/ designed for manipulating data)

Computer is an electronic system that is designed for manipulating data.

1. (telephone/device/started modern electronic communications)

______________________________________________________________________
2. (circuit/complete path/followed by an electric current)
______________________________________________________________________
3. (measures small amounts of liquids/ instrument/pipette)
______________________________________________________________________
4. (instrument/makes distant objectives appear longer/telescope)
____________________________________________________________________
5. (uranium/nuclear reactors/ element)
_____________________________________________________________________
6. (amplify sound/microphone/device)
_____________________________________________________________________
7. (instrument/thermometer/ measures temperature)
______________________________________________________________________
8. (long/piece of wood or metal/beams/used in constructing buildings)
______________________________________________________________________
9. (cube/geometric shape/equal sizes)
______________________________________________________________________
10. (washing machine/appliance/used to wash laundry)
______________________________________________________________________

B. Select ten (10) from the following terms and write seven (7) informal definition
and three (3) amplified or extended formal definitions.

1. Calipers 6. Electrical switch 11. Oxygen

2. Irrigation 7. Transit 12. Dividers
3. Matter 8. Steam 13. Architect’s scale
4. Pliers 9. Thermostat 14. Politics
5. Education 10. Electricity 15. Crystal

Informal Definition

1. ____________________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________________
5.____________________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________________________________

Amplified or Extended Formal Definition

1._____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2._____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

3._____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

C. Read the given definitions and fill the chart using species, genus and differentia
method.

1. Carbon is an element that is found in all organic molecules.

2. Chemical change is any change that results in the production of one or more
substances that differ in chemical properties.
3. Density is a scientific term which is synonymous with relative heaviness.
4. Evaporation is the process in which a liquid changes into gas.
5. Horsepower is the rate of doing work equivalent to raising 33,000 pounds a distance of
1 foot in 1 minute.
6. Stadium is a large, usually unroofed building where sports events are held.
7. Scissors are two-bladed cutting instrument held in one hand and the pivoted blades
are pressed against opposing edges to perform the cutting operation.
8. Metallurgy is the art and science of separating metals from their ores and preparing
them for use.
9. Rivet is a permanent metal fastener that is shaped like a cylinder and has a head on
one end, when placed in position, the opposite head is formed by impact.
10. Solidification is the process of changing a liquid into solid.

SPECIES GENUS DIFFERENTIA

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
D. Write at least four details for each of the given categories.
1. electronic devices - _______________________________________________
2. fruit juices - _______________________________________________
3. sewing tools - _______________________________________________
4. flammable substances - _______________________________________________
5. natural calamities - _______________________________________________
6. modes of transportation -_______________________________________________
7. painter’s equipment - _______________________________________________
8. string instruments - _______________________________________________
9. motorcycle hand tools - _______________________________________________
10. kitchen utensils - _______________________________________________

E. Analyze how the items are defined. Identify the specific method/technique used
in the following statements as to:

A. Formal Sentence Definition G. Amplified/Extended Formal Definition

B. Word Derivation
C. Concrete Examples and Instances
D. Negative Statement
E. Analysis
F. Cause and Effect
H. Further Definition
I. Comparison and Contrast
J. Physical Description
K. Basic Principles
L. Location

LATEX
________1. Latex is a milky, clear, or sometimes colored
liquid that exudes from the cut surface of the flowering
plants and that coagulates rapidly upon exposure to air.
________2. It is thought to be concerned with the
protection and healing of superficial wounds to the plants
and also in its nutrition.
________3. Latex contains many different substances,
including sugars, proteins, mineral salts, alkaloids and
caoutchouc, a substance that is found from the latex
from better trees.
________4. When latex is mixed with carbon and vulcanized
(heated with sulfur), it forms commercial rubber, the most
common latex product. Commercial rubber is used most
importantly in the production of automobile and truck tires.

Source: https://www.britannica.com/science/latex-chemical-compound

THE CANINE TEETH

________5. The canines are the teeth in the human

dentition that are located between the incisors and the
bicuspids, one in each quadrant.
________6. Their function is to guide the teeth in the
chewing and to maintain proper facial contours by
holding up the corners of the lips.
________7. The canine are the strongest teeth in the
mouth and are therefore often used as anchors for
partial dentures or bridges.
________8. They also have the longest roots of all
the teeth and are the most impervious to decay.
For these reason, they are the last teeth lost to
gum disease.
________9. The word canine comes from the Latin
word for dog.
________10. Canine in animals cut and clear food
and also serve as a defense mechanism.
Source: https://www.tes.com/lessons/JvKJouEvQNcIGQ/teeth
F. Draw/ any object you can find inside or outside your house and make a partition
in accordance with its parts and sub-parts.

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

References
Igoy, JI L. et. al., Technical Writing & Reporting 2004. Trinitas Publishing Inc. Trinitas
Publishing Inc. Meycauyan, Bulacan.
Portillo, Reynaldo R., et. al., Research and Technical Writing 2003. Trinitas Publishing
Inc. Trinitas Publishing Inc., Meycauyan, Bulacan.
Parts of a Hammer, Retrieved on July 17, 2020 from
https://healthyhandyman.com/parts-of-a-hammer/

Latex, Retrieved on July 17, 2020 from

https://www.britannica.com/science/latex-chemical-compound

Teeth, Retrieved on July 17, 2020 from

https://www.tes.com/lessons/JvKJouEvQNcIGQ/teeth