BASIC TECHNIQUES IN

TECHNICAL WRITING

DEFINITION
is

the precise statement of

the essential meaning of a
particular term
gives the meaning of a
certain term
classified as informal and
formal

Informal Definition
comes

in the form of a word or a

phrase oftentimes called a
synonym
this is usually an adequate
explanation of the unfamiliar
EXAMPLE:
The odd results of the experiment
perplexed the scientist. (puzzled)
The two streets intersect at the edge of
the town. (cross)
The engineers have surveyed the site.

Formal or Sentence
definition
is

the most precise type of

definition
is in the form of a sentence with
these three elements/parts
1. Specie(term) the word or phrase to be
defines
2. Genus is the class or kind to which the
termbelongs
3. Differentia that part of the definition
which
states the distinctive
characteristics of
the term which
distinguish it from
other members

EXAMPLES
Specie Genus
A somnambulist
asleep

Differentia

is a person

who walks while

A thermometer
temperature

is an instrument

that measures

Gravity
is the unseen force
the center of the earth.

that pulls all bodies to

Erosion

by such natural agents

is the wearing away of

rocks and other substances at the earths

as water, wind, waves and

glaciers.

surface
A somniloquist
asleep.

is a person

who talks while

**Note thatthe species,the

genus,
and
the
linking
verbare
singular
in
formand
thatthe
differentiais introducedby a
relative pronoun (who, that,
which,
whose,
whom,
etc.). The formal definition is
described so because it
follows the form: species =
genus and differentia (S = G

Pointers which must to be followed

when formulation formal definition
Define

a word in simpler and more

familiar term.

Not this:
An emulsion is a fluid consisting of a microscopically
heterogeneous mixture of two normally immiscible
liquid phases, in which one liquid forms minute
droplets suspended in the other liquid.
Good:
An emulsion is a fluid consisting of a two
microscopically different liquids which are insoluble
with each other, where-in one liquid forms very tiny
droplets suspended in the other liquid.

Practise

grammatical parallelism when

defining a term. Avoid defining with,
is when is where and is what

Not this:
Sublimation is when a solid substance is transformed directly
into a gas without transition through a noticeable liquid state.
Good:
Sublimation is the transformation of a solid substance into a
gas without transition through a noticeable liquid state, e.g.,
dry ice, naphthalene.
Not this:
To oscillate is moving in a regular manner from side to side or
back and forth.
Good:
To oscillate is to move in a regular manner from side to side or
back and forth.

Avoid

a circular definition which

means the explanation of term
using the word itself or any of its
derivatives.

Note this:
Engineering is the art and science taken
up by persons to become engineers.
Good:
Engineering is the professional art of
directing the great sources of power in
nature (matter and energy) for the benefit of
man.

Dont

put the term being defined

in too broad or too narrow a
class.

Too Broad:
A rifle is a weapon......( knives, ice picks, swords,
etc. Are also weapons)
Too Narrow:
A rifle is a gun..........( pistols, revolvers, etc. Are
also guns)
Good:
A rifle is a firearm with spiral grooves inside its
barrel to impact a rotary motion to its projectile or
bullet and thus render its flight more accurate.

Extended Definition
comes

in the form of additional

sentences that support a formal
definition which becomes the
topic sentence of a paragraph
with definition as method of
development.

Extended Definition is done in

any of the following ways:
Function

use of the thing defined

Location placement/position of the thing defined
Physical description physical traits (color, size,shape, etc.) of
the thing define
Further definition definition of words in the formal definition of
the thing defined
Causationcauses or effects of the thing defined
Comparison similarities of the thing defined with another
thing;
Contrast differences of the thing defined from another thing
Exemplification concrete examples of the thing defined
Etymology/word derivation words from which the thing defined
was derived
Analysis parts of the thing defined
Basic principle law or principle governing the thing defined
Negation negative statements about the thing defined

Write a one-sentence definition

of the following:
Flower
Heart
Cellphone

ASSIGNMENY: crosswise
Write a one-sentence definition of any three the following:

Calculator
Thermostat
Herbicide
Antibiotic
Osmosis
Inductance
Anesthesia
Diode

2. DESCRIPTION
is

a way of writing about the way

things appear, the way they are
constructed and the way they act
2 types:
Description of Mechanism
Process description

Description of Mechanism
deals

with the physical nature of

whatever is being discussed, the
purpose of the device and how its
parts works separately and with
one another and with the whole
3 Divissions:
Introduction
Part by Part Description
Conclusion of the Description

1. Introduction
3

information:
a. what it is
b. what its purpose is
c. what it looks like

2. Part-by-Part Description
Describe

in detail paying
attention to the following
aspects:
Shape
Size
Relationship to other parts
Methods of attachment
Material
Finish

3. Conclusion
let

the reader know how it works,

or how it is used.
Emphasis is on the action of the
parts in relation to one another.
Usually highly condensed.

Description of a
Process
deals

with processes and

procedures and is characterized
by the detailing of a series of
steps
3 Steps:
1. Introduction
2. Organization
3. Conclusion

1. Introduction
What are you doing?
- what is this process?
- who performs this process?
- why is this process performed?
- what are the chief steps in this process?
- from what point of view is this process
going to be considered in this discussion?
- why is this process being described?
How do you do it?

2. Organization
-Introduction to a description of a
process is followed directly by a
description of the chief steps in
the process.
-Follow chronological order or the
order of the performance of the
steps.

3. Conclusion
- May include:
a. Fixing the chief steps in mind
(listing
them again might help).
b. Recalling special points about
equipment or materials.
c. Analyzing the advantages and
disadvantages of the process.
d. Noting how this process is related
to other processes, or other work
that is being done, or reported on.

4. CLASSIFICATION
the

act of locating a specimen of

all the different kinds of objects
which possess a given
characteristic/s.
Is a useful expository technique
when you have a number of like
things to discuss among which
there are points of similarity and
difference which it is important
for the reader to understand.

Rules to Follow in Presenting a

Classification:
Make

clear what is being classified. definition

of the subject
Choose (and state) a significant, useful basis, or
guiding principle, for the classification.
according to use, to color, to structure, etc.
Limit yourself to one basis at a time in listing
members of a class.
Name all the species according to a given basis.
Make sure that each species is separate and
distinct.
Help your reader understand the distinction
between species. discuss each species, giving
definition, description, or illustration of each.