Patterns of
Development
Using
Definition
WHAT DO YOU DO
WHEN YOU SEE
UNFAMILIAR
WORD OR TERM?
One pattern in paragraph development
is using DEFINITION. Its purpose is to
explain the meaning of a word, a concept or
idea.
The definition is intended to clarify
meaning; thus, it should identify essential
qualities and limit the term’s meaning.
There are different ways to define a word.
These are formal definition, informal
definition and extended definition.
Formal definition is a sentence that
contains three parts such as:
1) the term that needs defining or
species;
2) the class to which the item belongs or
genus; and
3) the differentiation of that item from the
other forms belonging to the class or
differentia.
Here is an example:
A unified family is a strong team that is capable
of weathering adversity, investing in
meaningful relationships and activities, and
creating value together.
In this example,
A unified family family a strong team that is
capable Species Genus
Differentia
Of weathering adversity, investing in meaningful
relationships and activities, and creating value
Another way to define is through
informal definition. Unlike formal
definition, informal is partial or
incomplete definition. It does not define a
term in its complete sense as it is based
on the writer’s experience.
For example:
Families are a strong team.
Extended definition is one or more
paragraphs that attempt to explain a complex
term.
For example:
A unified family is a strong team that is
capable of weathering adversity, investing in
meaningful relationships and activities, and
creating value together. Research claims that
open and frequent communication is the
quality of strong and united families.
