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Writing Formal Sentence Definitions

The document provides guidance on writing formal sentence definitions as part of extended definitions, emphasizing the importance of clarity and specificity in defining terms. It outlines the components of a formal definition, the necessity of using various sources to explain terms, and the inclusion of short definitions for unfamiliar terms. Additionally, it suggests using standard formatting elements like headings and lists to enhance the readability of extended definitions.

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Romina Ancasi
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14 views9 pages

Writing Formal Sentence Definitions

The document provides guidance on writing formal sentence definitions as part of extended definitions, emphasizing the importance of clarity and specificity in defining terms. It outlines the components of a formal definition, the necessity of using various sources to explain terms, and the inclusion of short definitions for unfamiliar terms. Additionally, it suggests using standard formatting elements like headings and lists to enhance the readability of extended definitions.

Uploaded by

Romina Ancasi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Writing Formal Sentence Definitions


One of the first things to do when you write an
extended definition is to compose the formal
sentence definition of the term you are writing
about. Place it toward the beginning of the
extended definition. It establishes the focus for
the rest of the discussion. It is "formal" because it
uses a certain form. Here are several examples:

Formal sentence definitions: their components are


the term being defined, the class it belongs to,
and its distinguishing characteristics.

Take particular care when you write the reference to the class
to which the term belongs; it sets up a larger frame of
reference or context. It gives readers something familiar to
associate the term with. The term may belong to a class of
tools, diseases, geological processes, electronic
components; it may be a term from the field of medicine,
computer science, agriculture, reprographics, or finance.
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Avoid vague references to the class the term belongs to: for
example, instead of calling a concussion an "injury" or
botulism a "medical problem," call them something more
specific like "a serious head injury" and "a severe form of
food poisoning," respectively.

Similarly, provide plenty of specific detail in the


characteristics component of the formal sentence
definition. Readers need these details to begin
forming their own understanding the term you are
defining.

Be aware, however, that your formal sentence


definition will likely contain additional potentially
unfamiliar terms. Somewhere in your extended
definition, you'll need to explain them as well,
possibly by using short definitions (explained later
in this section).

A formal sentence definition used in an extended


definition.

Choosing the Sources of Definition


When you write an extended definition, you
literally grab at any of the writing resources or
tools that will help you explain the term to your
readers. This means considering all of the various
sources of information that can help define the
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term adequately (for example, description,


process narration, causal discussion, and
classification).

Notice how many different kinds of writing are


indicated by the outline of an extended definition
shown in the preceding illustrations.

The key to writing a good extended definition is to


choose the sources of definition to help readers
understand the term being defined. Use the
checklist to select the kinds of discussion to
include in your extended definitions.
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Checklist of sources for extended definitions


5

Outline of a report that uses extended definition. This


view shows how different sources of definition can be
used to write an extended definition.
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Another extended definition. This one uses additional


definitions, description (demographics), process.

Adding Short Definitions


As mentioned earlier, you'll find that in writing an
extended definition, you must define other terms
as well. Typically, short definitions—a sentence,
clause, or phrase in length—will suffice. Notice
how many are added to the "after" version in the
following.
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Extended definitions often need additional


definitions.These can be short, phrase-length definitions.

This process of supplying short definitions "on the


fly" is critical in good technical writing for
nonspecialists. Notice how many quick definitions
occur just in the first two sentences of the
preceding illuusration. "Maculopapular" is defined
in parentheses as "(raised red)." "Endemicity" is
defined by restating the idea in other words: "that
is, people throughout the world are capable of
contracting measles." And "infective particle" is
quickly defined by providing an alternative: "or
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organism causing the illness." Obviously, the


passage is almost tripled in length—but that's the
price for thorough explanation and clarity.

Format for Extended Definition


Extended definitions don't call out for any special
format; just use headings, lists, notices, and
graphics as you would in any other technical
document:

 Headings

 Lists

 Notices

 Graphics
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Schematic view of an extended definition. Remember that


this is just a typical or common model for the contents and
organization—many others are possible.

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