Developing Concepts

Writing Definitions
At the end of the lesson, you'll:
describe definition and
concepts;
identify the different types
of definition; and

form definitions of specific

words.
 What is definition?

• This is the frame of reference of discussion.

• This is used to provide meaning of a particular
word or term.
• Types of definition:
• formal, informal, and extended.
Formal Definition

• It is a concise and logical pattern of

information that shows all the traits or
characteristics that are specific to that term.
• It has three parts: term, class and distinguishing
features.
Formal Definition Examples

Term Class Distinguishing

Features
Internet is a global system that allows user-
of networked to-user
computers communication and
transfer of data
files
Formal Definition Examples

Term Class Distinguishing

Features
Comic books are sequential and consisting of
narrative illustrations,
publications captions, dialogue
balloons, and often
focus on super-
powered heroes
Formal Definition Examples

Term Class Distinguishing

Features
Water is a liquid made up of
molecules of
hydrogen and
oxygen in the ratio
of 2 to 1
Formal Definition Examples

Term Class Distinguishing

Features
Triangle a plane figure with three straight
bounding sides
Informal Definition

• It uses known words or examples to explain

an unknown term. These definitions may
be synonyms or antonyms introduced
by or, in other words, or like.
Informal Definition Examples
Term Class

Chair is a piece of furniture

Illustration actual drawing or sketch

Herbivores are animals

Extended Definition

• It define, describe, compare and contrast, and

show cause-and-effect relationship to provide a
holistic definition of a term.
Extended Definition

• Other techniques in writing extended definitions:

• Listing and describing the parts: identifying smaller, more
familiar pieces of an idea to point to the definition of the
bigger concept.
• Etymology: sharing a word's origin.
• Examples or anecdotes: telling a story or example that
illustrates the term.
• Evoking the senses: using a word that creates a picture in the
reader's mind so that the reader might relate through memory
of sound, sight, touch, hearing, or smell.
Extended Definition Examples

• The term protein quality refers to the ratio of essential

amino acids (eaa) in a protein in comparison with the ratio
required by the body. A high-quality protein contains eaa in
a ratio that matches human requirements. A protein which
is lacking or low in one or more eaa is termed a low-quality
protein. The eaa which is in the shortest supply is called the
‘limiting’ amino acid. In general, animal proteins tend to be
high quality while vegetable proteins tend to be low quality.
The exception is soy protein which is quite high quality.
Write formal definition of:

school
writing

English
Write informal definition of:

traffic
society

social media
Write extended definition of:

vaccine

Social distancing
ACTIVITY GUIDELINES:

• Write/Encode your answers on a word

document.
• Do not add decorative or aesthetic
elements on your work, a clean sheet
with correct answers will do. 
• Save your work as PDF; non-PDF
submissions will be invalid.
• No specific format just make sure the
texts are readable.
ACTIVITY GUIDELINES:

• Be formal, avoid contractions in writing

your definition.
• Observe correct use of grammar,
punctuation marks, and capitalization.
• Avoid fragments and phrases (ideas with
incomplete thoughts).
HOW WILL YOU BE GRADED?

• Formal Definition – 6 points

• 2 points for each part of the definition
(class and distinguishing features)
• Informal Definition – 6 points
• 2 points for each correct definition
• Extended Definition – 8 points
• 4 points for each correct definition