Exploring Expository

Techniques in Technical
Writing
TYPES OF DEFINITION
Scope
a. Distinction between Literary Writing and
Formal Writing
b. Formal, Informal, and Amplified Definition
c. Techniques in writing Amplified Definition
ACTIVITY
Provide as many possible
definitions to the following
terms:
a. Ship
b.Buffalo
c. Can
d.Fish
Schema Activation
In what ways can you
define a term in the
literary piece that you
are writing?
Distinction between Literary
and Technical Writing
Types of Definition
Formal Definition
Three words to remember in formal definition:
a. Specie – the subject of the definition
b. Genus – family or class to which the specie belong
c. Differentia – the part of the statement which the
particular specie’s distinguishing traits, qualities are
pointed out
Informal Definition
Instead of a single-word substitution, sometimes, a phrase,
clause or even a sentence may be used.
Purposes:
a. Only partial or incomplete definitions are available
b. They are particularly adapted for use in the text of
discussion
c. When they reach a certain sentence length, it may not be
greatly different from the formal sentence definition
Amplified/Extended Definition

This type of definition is more than informing the reader in

one word, phrase, clause, or sentence in order to ensure a
reader’s understanding of a thing or idea.

If a sentence definition will still leave a number of questions

in the reader’s mind, then use this type of definition.
Techniques in writing Amplified/Extended
Definition

1. Further Definition
- elaborating the subject by providing more available
definition from different resources
2. Concrete Examples and Instances
- giving the readers some specific examples for the
abstract terms used in the definition
3. Comparison and Contrast
- the use of similarities and differences of the subjects
involved in the paper
Techniques in writing Amplified/Extended
Definition

4. Word Derivation
- Etymological term or the origin of a wword that may
shed light on its present meaning.
5. Negative Statement
- Observe negation or elimination
6. Physical Description
- What the term defined looks like
7. Analysis
- Breaking down a thing or idea.
Techniques in writing Amplified/Extended
Definition

8. Basic Principle
- Particularly applicable to processes and mechanism
9. Cause and Effect
- Reason/source and the result/outcome
10. Location
- It sometimes helps in telling where the subject is
11. Classification
- Whether the subject is part of a whole, or a whole to its
parts
Application
Identify the appropriate technique to be used in defining
using the Amplified Definition for each thesis.

1. A specific LRT station

2. Marvel vs. DC
3. Cat breeds
4. How Wi-Fi works
5. Etymology of “Algebra”
Assessment
Read the story of Circe and Odysseus from the file
attached and provide a definition or description to the
listed words.

(See attached document)