Formal Definitions

A formal definition follows a concise, logical pattern that includes as much information as it can within a minimum amount of space. It consists of three parts:

1. The term (word or phrase) to be defined
2. The class of object or concept to which the term belongs
3. The differentiating characteristics that distinguish it from all all others of its class

Example: Water (term) is a liquid (class) made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 2 to 1 (distinguishing characteristics).

Example: A fire wall (term) is a combination of hardware and software (class) that separates a Network into two or more parts for security purposes (distinguishing characteristics).

 

Writing Formal Definitions

Practice in the writing of such brief formal definitions is good mental discipline as well as excellent training in conciseness and care in the use of words.

In writing a definition:

• Avoid defining with "is when" and "is where." These adverb phrase introducers do not work well when defining a word. A noun should be defined with a noun, a verb with a verb, an adjective with an adjective.
• Do not define a word by mere repetition.
• Define a word in simple and familiar terms.
Keep your class small but adequate. It should be large enough to include all members of the term you are defining but no larger.
• State the differentiating characteristics precisely.

 

Assignment

Write formal defintions for five specialized/technical terms related to your project.

Ideally, these should be terms you patron would not necessarily be familiar with. If this is not possible, simply select three terms that your secondary audience would probably not be familiar with.

A printed copy of your defintions is due Thursday, Oct. 9.

 

top