Ways to Elucidate

on a Concept
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hint word: meaning
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A. DEFINITION
•Definitions are essential in writing as they serve as a
frame of reference for discussions.
•Concepts in a respective subject are understood
because terms are used in a specific concept or
process. Definitions are used to provide the
meaning of a particular word or term. Definitions
may be formal, informal, or extended.
1. Informal Definition
•Informal definition- is a definition which does not
include distinguishing features but uses known words
or examples to explain an unknown term. These
definitions may be synonyms or antonyms introduced
by or, in other words, referred to as, or like.
Example:
•Tocopherol (Vitamin E) is naturally found in vegetable
oil, fish and nuts.
2. Formal Definition
•It is a definition that includes the term the word to be
defined, class/ category, and distinguishing features or
characteristics.
Examples:
•Vitamin E is a light yellow fat-soluble vitamin that acts
as anti-oxidant.
• Biology is a branch of science that studies living
organisms.
3. Extended Definition
• Is a definition that generally has components of both formal and informal
definitions. It is an essay length text that uses different rhetorical patterns to
show the meaning of a particular term or concept. It does not only define but
also describe, compare and contrast, provide examples, and show cause-and-
effect relationships to provide the reader a holistic definition of a term.
Examples:
• Poverty is a complex problem. It is an inability to meet basic needs because
food, clean drinking water, proper sanitation, health care and other social
services are inaccessible. Poverty is hunger and lack of shelter. Poverty is being
sick and not able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school, not
having a job, fear for the future and it is powerlessness, lack of representation
and freedom.
B. EXPLICATION
• The term explication comes from the French for
“explanation.” It employs a critical interpretation of a
concept. It refers to the analysis of a text that attempts to
explain what the text means.
Example:
Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”
(How will you explain it? Your explanation or interpretation is
simply the explication of the text)
C. CLARIFICATION
• Clarification is a method of explanation in which the points are
organized from a general abstract idea to specific and concrete
examples.
Example:
Love is the most powerful emotion a human being can experience.
The word love is used as an expression of affection towards someone
else (I love you) but it also expresses pleasure (I love chocolate). To
make it a little more complicated, the word “love” also expresses a
human virtue that is based on compassion, affection and kindness. This is
a state of being, that has nothing to do, with something or someone
outside yourself. This is the purest form of love.
 WAYS TO ELUCIDATE ON A
1 __________ __________ __________
5 6

__ CONCEPT
__ __
It is a method in which sentences, It is a method of explanation in
This means explaining the
quotes, verses, or phrases are taken which the points are organized
concept by answering, what from a literary or academic work then from a general abstract idea to
does it mean? interpreted and explained in a detailed
specific and concrete examples.
way.

2 __________ It is giving of a brief explanation by giving examples, and/or using

synonyms / antonyms.
__
__________
3 It is giving of the term to be defined, the category, and the quality that
makes the term different from other terms in the same category.

4
__
__________ It is a detailed way of defining a term and is usually a one
paragraph.
__
ACTIVITY:Define your emotion!
One of the best skills a good writer should possess is to
easily describe or explain a chosen subject to write about.
One of the most complicated concepts to explain in words is
emotions. Below is a table in which six emotions are listed.
Explain what is happening when the following emotions are
felt or when and how they are being felt.
Example:
 ACTIVITY:Define your emotion!
1.Happiness

2.Sadness

3.Anger

4.Nervousness

5.Excitement

6.Jealousy