SELF LEARNING KIT IN

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LESSON TITLE:
Observing the Correct Grammar in Writing Definitions

MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY:

EN10G-IIa-29. Observe correct grammar in making definitions

Name of Teacher –Writer:

@ Minda R. Rondolos, Cabittaogan National High School
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 No copyright infringement intended. All literary and reading texts, photos, trademarks, other cited
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This Self-Learning kit is specially made for you, in order that your acquisition of
knowledge will not cease specially this time of pandemic. You should always keep in mind
that learning is a continuous process and this would not be disturbed by any external forces.
It is expected that you will maintain eagerness of learning that is why work on with
sincerity and follow the instructions required in this Self-Learning Kit.
Accomplish the activities the best you can do and be honest in answering them.

Your Most Essential Learning Competency (MELC) is to:

EN10G-IIa-29. Observe correct grammar in making definitions

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

1. familiarize with the grammar and hints when writing definitions;
2. follow the grammar and hints with appreciation in sentence
construction; and
3. construct simple definitions using the hints and grammar
learned.

Your Third Quarter has introduced you to the different types of

literary criticisms. Can you still remember them? Let us find out with
this short activity.

Directions: Define the following terms.

1. Structuralism/ Formalism- ___________________________________________
2. Marxism - _____________________________________________________.
3. Feminism - ____________________________________________________.
4. Moralism - ______________________________________________________.
5. Historical Criticism - ______________________________________________.
6. Reader – Response - _____________________________________________.

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 Congratulations! You have given the correct definitions of terms. It
only shows that you have mastered our previous lessons. But how did
you define the terms? How did you write the sentences that defined the
terms? Were the definitions grammatically correct?
Do not worry if they are not, for in this lesson, you will learn how
to write definitions of terms that are grammatically correct.

What is the meaning of “DEFINITION”?

The following are the meanings of definition according to various sources:
1. Definition is a statement of the exact meaning of a word, especially in the
dictionary. (Oxford Languages)
2. Definition is the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word,
phrase, idiom, etc, as found in dictionaries. (dictionary.com)
3. Definition is a statement that explains the meaning of a word or phrase
(Cambridge Dictionary)
Mull Over/ Explanation:
A definition has many meanings, but the meanings all go together as they tell that
definition is a statement that explains, gives meaning or significance of a word or phrase.

Importance of Writing Definition (Why do we need to define terms?)

In the previous lessons, you have been exposed with different terms, concepts and
issues. However, you have to assume that not all your readers, listeners or audience can
understand what these terms actually mean. Some terms may be new or unfamiliar to your
audience. It is very important for you to define terms because this will help your reader
understand your topic better. This can also make them easily grasp your message.

There are instance that we write definitions wrongly, so, in order to write definitions
correctly, we need to follow the given rules:
Grammar Rules for Writing Definitions
1. Avoid defining with “x” is when and “x” is where statements. Define a
noun with a noun, a verb with a verb.
Examples:
 Respondent is a person who gives an answer or a response to a questionnaire.
noun noun
 Harassing is attacking someone severely whether physical or verbal means.
verb verb

2. Do not define a word by mere repetition or merely restating the word.

Example:
 Wrong: Sewing machine is a machine which is mechanically or electrically driven
for sewing or stitching cloth.
 Right: Sewing machine is an instrument which is mechanically or electrically
driven for sewing or stitching cloth.

3. Stick to using active voice because it is difficult for the reader to read a
lot of passive sentences.
Example:
 Wrong (use of Passive voice): The preparation of food, cooking, and
presentation of food are the works of a culinary artist.

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  Right (use of Active voice): Culinary artist is a person who works on the
preparation, cooking, and presentation of food.

4. Use proper punctuation. When using commas pay attention whether you
could split sentence. To correct the comma splice, form two sentences.
You can also join the two clauses with a conjunction such as “and”,
“because”, “but”, etc.
Examples:
 Mental disorders are conditions that affect your thinking, feeling, mood, and
behavior.
 Anxiety is not a joke, because it can ruin lives.

5. Contractions are rarely used in academic writing. Instead of writing

“isn’t”, write “is not”.
Example:
 Wrong: Tomato isn’t a vegetable, but it is botanical fruit because they form a
flower and contain seeds.
 Right: Tomato is not a vegetable, but it is botanical fruit because they form a
flower and contain seeds.

6. The existential “this”. Always include a referent with “this”,

Example:
 Wrong: This proves that the periwinkle plant juice can be used as insecticide.
 Right: This research proves that the periwinkle plant juice can be used as
insecticide.

7. Literally, this word means exactly what you say is true, no metaphors or
analysis.
Example:
 Wrong (use of metaphor): Custard is the happiness in a bowl.
 Right (literal meaning): Custard is the richest ingredient for every recipe.

8. Overuse of unspecific determinants. Words such as “super” {as in super

strong} or “very” are unspecific.
Example:
 Wrong: The 14 karat contains a very high percent of gold.
 Right: The 14 karat contains 58.3% pure gold by weight.

Source/ Lifted from: USC Libraries. 2020. “Avoid These Common Grammar Mistakes!”. Retrieved
from https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/grammar.

Grammar rules for writing definitions have been listed down and
supplied with examples for you to refer on especially when you are
required to define terms technically. From this lesson, mistakes which
are not acceptable in English grammar will be avoided too.

Reading Text

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 COVID-19 VACCINE COMBOS AIM TO BOOST IMMUNITY
About a dozen COVID-19 vaccines have been approved around the world, providing
a possible path out of the pandemic. But hurdles have emerged, including logistical issues
around vaccine rollouts, a rising tide of worrisome variants, and uncertainty around the
longevity of immunity. New trials underway to test combinations of different manufacturers’
vaccines seek to overcome some of these challenges.
“It’s really exciting that we have these combination trials,” says Sarah Caddy, a viral
immunologist at the University of Cambridge. “If we can use different vaccines that opens
opportunities for vaccinating more people.” In addition, she notes, “there’s some evidence
that mixing and matching vaccines could give us better immune responses.”
Vaccines induce immunity by training the immune system to recognize a piece of
SARS-CoV-2 called an antigen—usually the spike protein, which the coronavirus uses to
unlock human cells. Most currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines deliver this training via
two shots: the prime and the boost. Moderna’s and Pfizer’s versions, the first to receive
emergency use authorization in the US, use mRNA to deliver the transcript encoding the
virus’s spike protein. Oxford/AstraZeneca’s and Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines, which use
harmless adenoviruses as vectors to deliver the gene for the protein, have also been
approved for use in other countries.

Source/ Lifted from: Jones. A. 2021. “COVID-19 Vaccine Combos Aim to Boost Immunity”.
Retrieved from https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/covid-19-vaccine-combos-aim-to-boost-
immunity-68529

Mull Over/ Explanation:

From the reading text “COVID-19 Vaccine Combos Aim to Boost immunity”, what is
the word being defined? What are the definitions of the word being presented from the text?
Instead of asking questions, please give answers to the question in order to present a
discussion how writing definition following the correct grammar is observed.

Now that you are already equipped with the knowledge of the
correct grammar in writing definitions, try these activities! Copy and
answer all the activities in your activity notebook.

ACTIVITY 1.
Directions. Identify whether the sentence is right or wrong. Write/ Draw
before the number if the sentence/ definition is correct and if it is
wrong.
1. Surgical mask isn’t recommended to use for more than eight hours.
2. Ann Frank was a versatile and promising young writer, she was able to record her
day to day experiences.
3. Filipinos go abroad to hopefully find a greener pasture.
4. The affect of advance technology makes students reduced interpersonal and
physical activities.
5. Internet is a global computer network providing a variety of information and
communication facilities.

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 6. The study of the growth, development, and other properties of bacteria, including the
positive and negative effects that bacteria have on living things are the works of
bacteriologist.
7. Lockdown is locking a place to regain control and nobody can leave.
8. This examination is a piece of cake.
9. Greenhouse effect is the effect that occurs when gases in earth’s atmosphere trap
the heat from the sun.
10. Drone is a flying robot that can be remotely controlled and used in taking photos.

ACTIVITY 2.
Directions: From the previous activity, copy the correct statement. Be able to reconstruct
the wrong sentence/ definition in order to make it right.
Example:
Wrong: Pandemic plans aimed to stop and slow the spread of corona virus to the whole
world; limiting domestic spread, limit suffering and death, mitigate disease; and sustain
infrastructures.
Modified: Pandemic plans aimed to stop and slow the spread of corona virus to the whole
world. These aims will limit domestic spread, limit suffering and death, mitigate disease, and
sustain infrastructure.

1. ___________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________________
6. ___________________________________________________________________
7. ___________________________________________________________________
8. ___________________________________________________________________
9. ___________________________________________________________________
10. ___________________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 3
Directions: Be able to define the following words. Apply the different hints that you have
already learned from the previous lesson. Make definitions concise and simple.
1.
Pandemic__________________________________________________________
2.
Quarantine_________________________________________________________
3. Coronavirus________________________________________________________
4. Personal Protective Equipment_________________________________________
5. Vaccine___________________________________________________________

Grammar Rules for writing Definition is really a guide and a

help for you to construct sentences or make definitions necessary
in academic assignments and formal writing as in research.

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 You have learned a lot of rules and hints in definition. I hope
that you will use these information. So, are you ready to apply what
you have learned in the use of grammar and hints of definition?\
In a short sentence, list down one (1) real life situation where
you can apply what you have learned in the use of grammar and hints
of definition. Write your sentences in your activity notebook.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS:
Copy and answer all the assessments in your activity notebook.

ASSESSMENT 1.
Directions: Choose the underlined word or phrase labelled a, b, c, d which are NOT
acceptable in grammars in definition. Shade the circle that corresponds to your answer.

OOOO 1. Outbreak is a sudden start of something unwelcome such as war, disease

abcd a b c
and others, it can be detected by using public health surveillance methods.
d

OOOO 2. The scorpions needed to inevitably sting the hand of the guru.
abcd a b c d

OOOO 3. Using cellphones aren’t allowed during class hours.

abcd a b c d

OOOO 4. Cancer is a disease where cells somehow become activated

abcd a b c d
into uncontrolled multiplication.

OOOO 5. Happy life can be attained at peace with everyone ; self-

abcd a b c
sufficiency; tranquility
d
OOOO 6. Presidential decree is a decree of law usually issued by the head
abcd a b c
of the state as the president of a state.
d
OOOO 7. Rhyming poetry consists of lines that contain end rhymes.
abcd a b c d

OOOO 8. Parkinson’s law is a law that work expands so as to fill

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abcd a b
the time available for its completion.
c d

OOOO 9. The hemophilic lack the ability to form clots at the point of
abcd a b c
wounding and may bleed to death from an apparently minor cut
d
abrasion.
OOOO 10. The respondents together with the adviser confers about the
abcd a b c
best way of stating the thesis statement.

ASSESSMENT 2.
Directions: Write F, if the definition followed the correct grammar and FD, if it did not.
_____ 1. Wearing facemask is one of the protocols to observe in order to prevent the spread
of Coronavirus.
_____ 2. Covid-19 is an infectious disease in each caused by a new strain of coronavirus.
_____ 3. Pandemics can be said to occur annually in each of the temperate places.
_____ 4. Vaccination is the administration of a vaccine to help the immune system develop
protection from disease.
_____ 5. Influenza is one of the sympthoms of coronavirus.

Assessment 3. .
Directions: Be able to define the 5 terms given below using any of the rules of definition.
Refer to the rules and hints of definition you have learned.
Example. Periwinkle is an ornamental plant , which juice can be utilized as
insecticide.
1. Insecticide __________________________________________________________
2. Tomato_____________________________________________________________
3. Culinary artist________________________________________________________
4. Frontliners___________________________________________________________
Microscope__________________________________________________________

Almonte L. R. et. al. 2015. “Celebrating Diversity through World Literature- Grade 10:
English- Learner’s Material”. 5th Floor Mabini Bldg., DepEd Complex. Department of
Education
Bermudez V. F. et al. 2007. “ENGLISH EXPRESSWAYS: Textbook for Fourth Year”. G.
Araneta Avenue, Quezon City. SD Publication, INC.
USC Libraries. 2020. “Avoid These Common Grammar Mistakes!”. Retrieved from
https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/grammar.
Sandford A. B. 1977. “USING ENGLISH: Grammar and Writing Skill”. Hardcourt Brace
Jovanovich, Inc. San Francisco.
Jones. A. 2021. “COVID-19 Vaccine Combos Aim to Boost Immunity”. Retrieved from
https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/covid-19-vaccine-combos-aim-to-boost-
immunity-68529

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