English 10 Quarter 4
A definition explains exactly what an object is, what a concept involves, or what a term means. A good definition is so precise that it enables a reader to distinguish the object, concept, or term from any similar ones with which it might be confused. Definitions can be generally categorized into three (3): formal, informal, and extended.
A formal definition is based on a concise, logical pattern that includes as much
information as it can within a minimum amount of space. The primary reason why there is a
need to include definitions in one’s writing is to avoid misunderstanding with the readers.
The dictionary is filled with formal definitions, but it is not the only source where
definitions can be found. Writers often include formal definitions when they are writing about
something that may be unfamiliar to their readers. In textbooks, the formal definition of terms
can be found 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.
An expanded definition is the use of a paragraph or more to expand on a word that
may be difficult to comprehend. An extended definition generally has 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.