Writing Definitions How to explain what a word or phrase means Traci Gardner.

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What is a definition?

Definition of Beautiful by mikecogh, on Flickr

A definition is typically a brief explanation of an item or concept using words and (sometimes) graphics.

From Markel, Mike. Practical Strategies for Technical Communications. Boston: Bedford, St. Martin’s, 2013.

Sentence Definitions• The term (word or phrase) to be

defined.

• The class of object or concept to which the term belongs.

• The differentiating characteristics that distinguish it from all others of its class.

From “Writing Definitions” on the Purdue OWL website.

Sentence Definition Example• Gibbs’ Rules

The term (word or phrase) to be defined.

• Principles or GuidelinesThe class of object or concept to which the term belongs.

• That guide the choices and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro GibbsThe differentiating characteristics that distinguish it from all others of its class.

Example Sentence Definition• Gibbs’ Rules are an unwritten set of

principles that guide the choices and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Paragraph Definitions• Often start with a sentence definition.

• Include additional information to clarify and extend the details on the word or phrase.

• Use several sentences to make a paragraph that defines the term.

• Can include examples, graphics that illustrate the definition, and links to related information.

Example Clarifying Details• These rules are shared informally in

conversation when their topic is relevant to the events and situations the characters encounter.

From “Writing Definitions” on the Purdue OWL website.

Examples and Related Information• The rules include general tips (#9: “Never

go anywhere without a knife”), guidelines for interacting with coworkers (#12: “Never date a coworker”), and procedures related to the work Gibbs and his team do (#2: “Always wear gloves at a crime scene”).

• Although the complete list of rules is not written or tracked on the television show, fans have collected the list and posted it online on sites like the NCIS Fan Wiki.

Complete Paragraph DefinitionGibbs’ Rules are an unwritten set of principles that guide the choices and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs. These rules are shared informally in conversation when their topic is relevant to the events and situations the characters encounter. The rules include general tips (#9: “Never go anywhere without a knife”), guidelines for interacting with coworkers (#12: “Never date a coworker”), and procedures related to the work Gibbs and his team do (#2: “Always wear gloves at a crime scene”). Although the complete list of rules is not written or tracked on the television show, fans have collected the list and posted it online on sites like the NCIS Fan Wiki.

Glossary Format• Start with the term and use your

formatting to make it stand out.

• Follow with the complete definition you have written.

• Be sure your definition begins with a capital letters and ends with a period.

• The first line of your glossary entry is a broken sentence. The following lines should be complete sentences.

Broken First SentenceOriginal:•Gibbs’ Rules are an unwritten set of principles that guide the choices and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

To break it:1.Separate the term and the rest of the sentence.2.Drop the verb (usually a form of the verb “To Be”).3.Capitalize the first word left in the rest of the sentence.

Broken:•Gibbs’ Rules: An unwritten set of principles that guide the choices and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs.

Example Glossary Format

From the Weather Channel website.

Gibbs’ RulesAn unwritten set of principles that guide the choices and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs. These rules are shared informally in conversation when their topic is relevant to the events and situations the characters encounter. The rules include general tips (#9: “Never go anywhere without a knife”), guidelines for interacting with coworkers (#12: “Never date a coworker”), and procedures related to the work Gibbs and his team do (#2: “Always wear gloves at a crime scene”). Although the complete list of rules is not written or tracked on the television show, fans have collected the list and posted it online on sites like the NCIS Fan Wiki.

Additional Resources• “Writing Definitions” from the Purdue

OWL.

• “How to Write a Dictionary Definition” from WikiHow.