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Identifying Types of Definitions

This document discusses three types of definitions: formal definitions, informal definitions, and extended definitions. Formal definitions consist of the term, part of speech, and specific traits. Informal definitions explain an unknown term using known words or examples. Extended definitions incorporate elements of formal and informal definitions and use additional techniques like listing parts, etymology, examples, negation, senses, environment, and ramifications.

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34 views

Identifying Types of Definitions

This document discusses three types of definitions: formal definitions, informal definitions, and extended definitions. Formal definitions consist of the term, part of speech, and specific traits. Informal definitions explain an unknown term using known words or examples. Extended definitions incorporate elements of formal and informal definitions and use additional techniques like listing parts, etymology, examples, negation, senses, environment, and ramifications.

Uploaded by

Jae Jara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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English PT 1st Quarter

Identifying Types of
Definitions
Formal Definiton
A formal definition consists of three parts: the term,
the part of speech to which it belongs, such as
a noun or a verb, and all the traits or characteristics
that are specific to that term. The dictionary is filled
with formal definitions, but it is not the only place
where you will find them. Writers often include
formal definitions when they are writing about
something that may be unfamiliar to their readers. In
textbooks, you may find the formal definition of
terms listed at the beginning, at the end of a chapter,
or in the glossary, which is a mini-dictionary of
terms relevant to that text.
Informal Definition
In an informal definition, the writer uses known
words or examples to explain an unknown term.
These definitions may
be synonyms or antonyms introduced
by or, in other words, or like.
Informal definition example:
Freedom, also referred to as liberty or
independence, is a state people reach when they
are free to think and do whatever they please.

Extended Definitions
Extended definitions generally have components of
both informal and formal definitions. However, as
the name suggests, the author uses a number of other
techniques to define a word, concept, or phrase,
including the following:
 Listing and describing the parts: identifying smaller,
more familiar pieces of an idea to point to the
definition of the bigger concept.
 Etymology: sharing a word's origin.
 Examples or anecdotes: telling a story or example
that illustrates the term.
 Negation: defining a term by explaining what the
concept is not.
 Evoking the senses: using a word that creates a
picture in the reader's mind so that the reader might
relate through memory of sound, sight, touch,
hearing, or smell.
 Environment or sector: pointing out how and where
something is used.
 Ramifications: showing how the term or concept
affects people or objects.
 Historical references: showing how a word has been
defined throughout history.

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