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Definition: specifies what, when, where, how and why of the topic under consideration
Types of Definition
Definitions vary greatly in length and detail, from a few words in
parentheses, to one or more complete sentence to multiple paragraphs or pages. Your choice
of definition type depends on what information readers need, and that in turn, depends on
why they need it. "Internet," for instance, could be defined in one sentence,
briefly telling readers what it is and how it works. But this definition would be expanded
for the beginning network engineer who needs to know the origin of the term, how the
network of computers was developed, what it looks like, when can it be used, and how its
parts interact. Thus, audience determines your choice.
Types:
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| Parenthetical Definition: A parenthetical definition explains the term in a word or
phrase, often as a synonym in parentheses following the term:
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Word (a word processor) has been updated.
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Here the "specialized" term is defined immediately in parenthesis. Another
option is to express your definition as a clarifying phrase:
The computer on the site are mostly clones; that is, they are manufactured more cheaply
than an IBM or NEC machine.
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| Sentence Definition: A definition may require one or more sentences with this structure:
(I) the item or term being defined, (2) the class (specific group) to which the term
belongs, and the features that differentiate the term from all others in its class
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Computer hackers are the nemisis of small business owners who cannot afford extensive
security. The hacker is an expert at computer programming. However, unlike the
professional computer programmer, this person specializes in "breaking" into
other people's computers, causing extensive damage at times or just leaving a trademark,
like the WAZZU virus.
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| Sentence definition is especially useful if you need to stipulate the precise working
definition of a term that has several possible meanings.
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| Classifying the term. Be specific and precise in your classification. The narrower your
class, the more specific your meaning. "hacker" is correctly classified as a
"computer expert," not as a "nerd" or a "hobbyist."
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| Differentiating the term. Differentiate the term by separating the item it names from
every other item in its class. Make these distinguishing features narrow enough to
pinpoint the item's unique identity and meaning, yet broad enough to be inclusive. A
definition of "hacker" as "computer user" is too broad because the
definition doesn't diferentiate "expert" from all other users. Conversely,
differentiating "hacker" as "professional programmer" is too narrow
because it ignores others who do not use their skills in such a manner.
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| Expanded Definition: An expanded definition can include parenthetical and sentence
definitions, but it provides greater detail for readers who need it. An expanded
definition may be a single paragraph or may extend to scores of pages. For our purposes,
the expanded definition will include at least five paragraphs. Some of the common elements
of this type of report are:
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| Etymology -- A word's origin (its development and changing meanings) can clarify its
definition. College dictionaries contain etymological information, but your best bet is The
Oxford English Dictionary, and encyclopedic dictionaries of science, technology, and
business. Your textbooks will often contain etymologies, though you may not know the term.
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| Historical and Background -- The meaning of specialized terms such as "radar"
"silicon chips" or "X my" often can be clarified through a background
discussion: discovery or history of the concept development method of production,
applications, and so on. Specialized encyclopedias are a good background source.
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| Analysis of Parts -- When your subject can be divided into parts, identity and explain
them.
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| Negative -- Sometimes illuminating what your term is not helps readers understand it.
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| Comparison and Contrast -- Comparisons and contrasts help readers understand.
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| Examples -- Familiar examples showing types or uses of an item can help clarify your
definition.
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Questions to help you prewrite for your definition paper:
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| What is its origin and background?
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| How is it used?
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| Why do you use it?
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| When is it used?
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| Does it require any special conditions?
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| How does it work?
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| What are its parts?
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| What does it look like?
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| Can it be compared to anything familiar?
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What ever you choose to include in your definition report needs to be guided by the thesis statement. Please review thesis statements if you are unsure
about them.
A summary of this handout:
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| The type of definition you write is determined by purpose and audience;
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| parathentical, sentence and expanded definitions require different information;
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| use who, what, when, where, and how to help prewrite for the report;
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| clear thesis statements are a must in essay writing.
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