Defining Concepts and Terms Using Patterns of Definition Correctly

2. At the end of this lesson, students should
be able to...
 know the patterns of a formal
definition,
 define concepts and terms using
patterns of definition correctly,
 use the correct patterns of definition
in formal writing.

3. What I
KNOW
What I WANT
to Know
HOW do I
found out
What I have
LEARNED

4.  Why is it important to define terms
correctly?

5.  An explanation of the meaning of a word,
phrase, etc.
 A statement that defines a word, phrase,
etc.
 A statement that describes what
something is
 A definition answers the question “what
is X?

6. Analyze:
1. A carbohydrate is a compound which is
produced by combining hydrogen,
carbon, and oxygen.
2. A Friendship is the capacity for
forgiveness.
Friendship is a plant that has to be
cultivated.

7.  T = G + D
Where;
 T = Term
 G = Genus
 D = Differentia
 G + D = T
Where;
 T = Term
 G = Genus
 D = Differentia
 = = is
 + = for, that, of, etc.
 = = is called, is
 + = of, that, who, etc.

8.  Psychology is a branch of science that
deals with the study of human
behavior.
 The branch of science that deals with the
study of human behavior is called
Psychology.
T G
D
= +
G + D
T
=

9.  Water (term) is a liquid (class/genus) made up of
molecules of hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of
2 to 1 (differentiating characteristics/differentia).
 Comic books (term) are sequential and narrative
publications (class) consisting of illustrations,
captions, dialogue balloons, and often focus on
super-powered heroes (differentiating
characteristics).
 Astronomy (term) is a branch of scientific study
(class) primarily concerned with celestial objects
inside and outside of the earth's atmosphere
(differentiating characteristics).

10.  Identify the TERM, GENUS, and
DIFFERENTIA.
 Language is a system of arbitrary vocal
symbols which is developed by a social
group for communication.
 Language is a system of arbitrary vocal
symbols which is developed by a social
group for communication.

11.  Language is a system of arbitrary vocal
symbols which is developed by a social
group for communication.
 A system of arbitrary vocal symbols
which is developed by a social group for
communication is called Language.

12. My Turn:
 pencil
 computer
 building
 Mathematics
 Cellular phone

13.  Write the following as full definitions. Give two
sentences using each of the patterns you have learned.
Example:
Psychology – science – human behavior
Pattern 1:
Psychology is a science that studies human behavior.
or:
Psychology is the science of human behavior.
Pattern 2:
The science that studies human behavior is called
Psychology.
or:
The science of human behavior is known as Psychology.

14. 1. atmosphere – layer of air – surrounds the
earth
2. matter – anything – occupies space and
has weight
3. the systematic study – of human
language – linguistics
4. biology – the science – living things
5. the process – splitting water in the
presence of light and chlorophyll -
photolysis

15. 6. botany – a science – deals with the study
of plants
7. a family – a social unit – composed of the
father, mother, and children
8. he study – speech sounds – phonetics
9. zoology – the science – of animals
10. a ballad – a narrative poem – intended
to be sung

16.  When your writing contains a term that
may be key to audience understanding
and that term could likely be unfamiliar
to them
"Stellar Wobble is a measurable variation
of speed wherein a star's velocity is
shifted by the gravitational pull of a
foreign body."

17.  When a commonly used word or phrase
has layers of subjectivity or evaluation in
the way you choose to define it
"Throughout this essay, the term classic
gaming will refer specifically to playing
video games produced for the Atari, the
original Nintendo Entertainment System,
and any systems in-between."

18.  When the etymology (origin and history) of a
common word might prove interesting or
will help expand upon a point
"Pagan can be traced back to Roman military
slang for an incompetent soldier. In this
sense, Christians who consider themselves
soldiers of Christ are using the term not only
to suggest a person's secular status but also
their lack of bravery.'

19.  Avoid defining with "X is when" and "X is where"
statements. These introductory adverb phrases should
be avoided. Define a noun with a noun, a verb with a
verb, and so forth.
 Do not define a word by mere repetition or merely
restating the word.
"Rhyming poetry consists of lines that contain end
rhymes.“
Better:
"Rhyming poetry is an artform consisting of lines whose
final words consistently contain identical, final stressed
vowel sounds."

20.  Define a word in simple and familiar terms.
Your definition of an unfamiliar word
should not lead your audience towards
looking up more words in order to
understand your definition.
 Keep the class portion of your definition
small but adequate. It should be large
enough to include all members of the term
you are defining but no larger. Avoid adding
personal details to definitions.

21. Example: A. The person is
repairing a
television set.
B. He is a television
technician
C. A television
technician is a
person who repairs
television sets.

26. A friend is someone who likes us. A friend can be
anybody, a 1. __________ or a girl, young or old,
2. __________ or poor. A friend is a 3. __________
special person. We share our thoughts 4.
__________ a friend. He or she listens 5.
__________ us when we want to talk, 6.
__________ not tell us to go away 7. __________ be
quiet. We understand how a 8. __________ feels
even without words and he 9. __________ she
understands how we feel. Certainly, 10.
__________ know we have found a friend because
we are not alone anymore and there is no sadness
inside us.

27.  What is friendship? Do you have a best
friend? Do you have any memory of a
beautiful friendship? What is your own
definition of a friend? Write a paragraph
of seven to ten sentence. (Activity Sheet)
...A friend is what the heart needs all the time.

28. A real friend is one who walks in when the rest
of the world walks out.