Pattern of

Paragraph
Development by
DEFINITION
 What is Definition?
• Identifies a term
• Sets it apart from all other terms that may be
related to it
• Mentions the general class to which a term
belongs
• Provide specifics to distinguish the term from
other member of that class
 Parts of a Definition
1. Term- A word or phrase used to describe a thing or to express a
concept.
• Rabbits or vegetables.
• Spiders or invertebrates.
2. Class-The group or class to which a term belongs.
• Rabbits are vertebrates.
• Spiders are invertebrates.
3. Characteristics- Detailed information about the term.

• Types of Characteristics:
a. Use or Function.
b. Composition
c. Origin.
d. Physical characteristics.
e. Properties.
Term Verb Article Class Relative Character
Word Pronoun istics
consists of
two atoms
of
Water is a liquid which hydrogen
and one
atom of
oxygen.
(is used)
Gold is a metal that to make
jewellery.
Pattern of Paragraph Development by
DEFINITION

THREE TYPES OF
DEFINITION
Formal Definition is a sentence that
contains three parts:
(1) the term that needs defining (species);
(2) the class to which the item (genus); and
(3) the differentiation of that item from the other forms belonging to
the class (differentia).
Example:

Technical writing writing committed to factual information

(Species) (Genus) (Differentia)
Informal definitions are partial or
incomplete definitions
• Operational Definitions give the meaning of an abstract
word for one particular time and place. This is also called as
an agreed-upon criterion.

For an instance, an executive may define program success

as a 10% increase in company profits. If that quota was
reached, then, the program is indeed successful.
•Synonyms are words that mean the same as another
word.
Examples:
•Parenthesis
Most of the rock consists of calcium carbonate. (limestone)
The fossil algae (stromatolites) take many forms.

•Dash
Mount Oberlin and many other pyramidal peaks—matterhorns—owe
their distinctive form to the erosive action
of glaciers on two or more sides of the peak.

•Appositive/ End of Sentence

The Atlyn Formation was deposited in a shallow, warm sea,
an environment indicated by the presence of fossil algae
called stromatolites.
Denotation is the literal or exact dictionary
meaning of the word.
Connotation, however, involves all the associations
related to the word. The connotative meanings of a
word exist together with the denotative meanings
Extended Definition An extended
definition is used when more than
one characteristic for a particular
term is mentioned. The types of
characteristics mentioned depend
on the term that is being defined.
Term Verb Article Class Relative Characteristics
Word pronoun

Consists of two atoms of hydrogen and one

atom of oxygen. It is colorless, tasteless, and
odorless. It boils at 100 degrees Celsius, and
Water is a liquid which freezes at 0 degrees Celsius. Water is essential
for my life, and is used for cleaning and
cooking.

Gold is a metal that (is) rare. It is yellow in color, very heavy, and
very malleable. Gold is used to make jewelry.
Example of a paragraph that uses
definition as a method of development
Questions can be many different things. A question can
be an inquiring sentence which asks for a reply, as in "I have a
question for you." The word can also refer to whatever subject
matter is at hand, as in the sentence, "The question of ethics is a
hot topic nowadays." A question can refer to some sort of doubt
or uncertainty, as in "There is no question I'm the best man for the
job." Used as a verb, to question can mean the instance or act of
questioning, such as "Police questioned the suspect." You can
question whether something is right or question a celebrity for an
interview. If you "pop the question," you are proposing to your
sweetheart! Therefore, a question can mean many things to
many people.
ACTIVITY
Patters of Paragraph Development by
DEFINITION
Read the following definitions; notice whether each one is a
formal, informal, or extended definition. The term being
defined appears as bold.
1. When my friend Katrice was young, she disobeyed her parents near Christmas. I don't recall
the crime, but I do recall the consequence. When she woke up on Christmas morning, there
were no presents for her under the tree from "Santa Claus." To make matters worse, she had to
watch her younger siblings open all their presents in front of her. Santa did not come for
Katrice that year because she was on the "naughty list." While her parents may well still stand
by their decision, Katrice maintains that she was the victim of cruel and unusual punishment. I
tend to agree, as it seems that the consequences were too drastic for any child, no matter
how naughty she may have been.

2. Many prisoners of war have been victims of cruel and unusual punishment; people were
shocked and horrified when they learned of the water torture, temperature extremes, and
sensory overloads that the prisoners were subjected to.

3.The Cornell University Law School website defines cruel and unusual punishment (noun)
as "punishment that is extremely excessive in relation to the crime, shocking to ordinary
sensibilities, or equivalent to torture."
4.Freedom, also referred to as liberty or independence, is a state people reach when
they are free to think and do whatever they please.

5. To our colonial forefathers, freedom meant having a voice in their government. The
Revolutionary War was a last resort against an empire that continued to tax its colonists
without the representation of the colonists in Parliament. Since the United States won the
right to rule itself, our country has been referred to as "the land of the free and the home of
the brave." True freedom means the ability to think, feel, say, or act however one
chooses. It is a state where the bars of bondage do not exist. Unfortunately, the widening
gap between the haves and have nots means that some are now shackled by their lack of
education. Americans can attain real freedom when everyone has the same educational
opportunities.
 ANSWERS REVEALED
1.Extended definition
2.Informal definition
3.Formal definition
4.Informal definition
5.Extended definition
References
Definitions Handout. (2017). Alothman-
b.tripod.com. Retrieved 10 December 2017, from
http://alothman-b.tripod.com/handout_defini.htm
Manzanilla, P. (2017). Method of Paragraph
Development by
DEFINITION. Slsuwritersblock.blogspot.com.
Retrieved 10 December 2017, from
http://slsuwritersblock.blogspot.com/2010/10/met
hod-of-paragraph-development-by_7567.html
NROC Developmental English Foundations.
(2017). Content.nroc.org. Retrieved 10 December
2017, from
http://content.nroc.org/DevelopmentalEnglish/uni
t05/Foundations/identifying-types-of-
definitions.html
PREPARED BY: HUMSS 11-15
Joseph Zabala
Jenny Barbosa
Kate Desirei Andales
Jan Patrick Villacino