Business Report Writing

Lecture 09#

Definning the Terms

Formal Definition
Informal Definition
Extended definition
 Creating Formal Definition
• Definition helps reader understand new
concepts in a context.
• Traditional way is put new term in a class and
then explain how it is different from other
members of class
• For example – Computer is electronic device
(Class def) used for quick
computation(differentiation)
 Extended Definition
• Usually we use extended definition to define
new term
• In extended definition we use one of these
four strategies to make term familiar the
reader.
• Compare and contrast, Use common example,
Cause and Effect, and Visual aid.
 Creating Formal Definition
• It contains three parts: Term- that needs to be
defined, Class– term belongs to ,
Differentiation- how the term is different from
other member of class.
• For example, Long Bones, such as in legs, arms,
fingers, and toes are long and strong, slightly
curved shafts with large ends that are able to
absorb the shock.
• Two main issues to be considered
 Classify the term )1
• Putting the new term in a class means- class
definition
• Class can be narrower or broader. For example
• AC is electronic device and also Temperature
controlling machine
• The narrower the class, the more meaning it
conveyed and more for reader to differentiate
it from other members
 2) Differentiation
• Differentiating means– highlight those
characteristics that belong only to New term
and no to other members.
• Evaporation –is water disappearing from
certain area is imprecise def, as water may
disappear for other reasons.
• Change of a substance from liquid to vapor is
exact definition.
4 common methods for Differentiation

• 1) Naming essential properties

• 2)Explain what id does
• 3)If term is object, what it is made of, looks
like.
• 4) if term is process- how to make it or do it
• Warning! Avoid circular definition
 Creating Informal Definition

• Two common approaches used here:

• 1)Operational Def- meaning for abstract term
for one instance of time and space. Informally
it creates a test for one particular situation.
• For example – what is good GPA – must define
it .
• 2)Synonyms- means same as another word.
When other word is known to the reader
 Continued
• Using synonyms , common word or technical
term in parenthesis or set-off with dashes.
• Any quantity that requires both magnitude
(amount of, how much) and direction( which
way) for complete description is called vector.
• Writer usually highlight the term they are
defining.
 Extended Definition

• For less knowledge reader- more explanation

is needed for explaining the term
• Seven common ways to achieve that:
• 1)Explaining the derivation 2) Explicate the
term 3)Use an example 4)Use an analogy
5)Compare and contrast 6) Cause and effect
• 7)Analyze the term
 Assignment
• Define the following terms using Formal,
Informal and Extended definition.
• 1) Cyber space
• 2)Search Engine
• 3)Internet Protocol
• 4)SIM