Lecture 2 Development by Definition

Introduction to
definition
2010/12/25Instructor
: Geng Yundong
Schedule
for today’s lesson
Basic knowledge of “definition”
2010/12/25How to develop a definition paragraph or essay In-class writing practice (assignment)
How to define a word or term
Pay attention to some errors
Basic knowledge of “definition”
Definition is in fact a form of expository writing .
But because definition presents certain problems of
its own, it is better to treat it separately.
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Basic knowledge of “definition”The meaning of “definition”
A definition 2010/12/25is the effort to distinguish an entity from all
other things for the purpose of being able to recognize it or in some way to understand it.
In the simplest sense, to define a word is Basic knowledge of “definition”
2010/12/25to show what class or group the word belongs to and then point out the basic features which distinguish it from other members of the same group.
Basic knowledge of “definition”
Methods of definition
How does one go about defining a word or thing?
The general principle: the writer may use any method or combination of methods known or devisable so long as he efficiently brings his reader to understand what something is or what a word means.
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Basic knowledge of “definition”
Methods of definition Analysis
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Synthesis
Negative definition
Exemplification
Synonyms
Basic knowledge of “definition”
Analysis
This type of definition consists of placing a word in a large 2010/12/25
class called genus and then differentiating the word from other members of that class.(vs.dictionary kind of definition)
tiger a large wild animal of the cat family,that has yellowish fur with black lines and lives in parts of Asia.
Synthesis
Basic knowledge of “definition”
This form of definition relates the thing-to-be-defined to 2010/12/25
something already familiar to the reader or the listener.It often reveals the thing-to-be-defined as part of some larger whole.
(relational definition)
To define blue,other than by pointing to some blue object, we shall have to say that blue is the color produced by light of a wavelength.000047cm.
Or we might define blue as the color of the sky on a cloudless day.
Either is an example of definition by synthesis.
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Basic knowledge of “definition”
Negative definition
It defines a thing by making clear what it is not.In 2010/12/25
connection with negative definition,we might add that definitions sometimes carefully distinguish the thing-to-be-defined from something resembling it and often confused with it.
Exemplification
Basic knowledge of “definition”To define something is to give one or more examples of it.2010/12/25
relativity of motion ?
Anyone has ever ridden on a railroad train knows how rapidly another train flashes by when it is traveling in the opposite direction,conversely how it may look almost motionless when it is moving in the same direction.
Synonyms
Basic knowledge of “definition”
This method has the advantage of being brief,but unless it 2010/12/25is accompanied by some other method of definition,it runs the risk of misleading the reader ,for no two words mean exactly the same thing,and,quite often,approximations are not good enough.
Still,this method is useful,if our purpose is simply to clarify the meaning of a word or term in passing.
How to define a word or term
When 2010/12/25you write a definition paragraph to define an
abstract term or give a special definition to an ordinary term,you must show your reader,as exactly as you can, what that term means to you.
How to define a word or term
To define a word,a writer might explain(1)what it is
(i.e.,an inanimate object,an abstract idea,a plant or
animal,an emotion,a physical state,etc.),(2)describe it,
(3)explain what it is used for,(4)explain how it works,
(5)compare it to something that is similar but more
familiar to the average person,and/or(6)explain what
various parts of the word mean.
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There are three basic ways to define a word or term:
How to define a word or term
2010/12/25to give a synonym
to use a sentence
to write a paragraph or even an essay
to give a synonym
How to define a word or term
2010/12/25For example: mend “To mend means to repair.”
How to define a word or term
The solution we usually use is to turn to a Chinese-English dictionary,but that may not be very helpful to our English reader.The inadequacy of a dictionary also shows up when we explain our own culture.
For examples:jiaozi(饺子)
steamed stuffed dumpling
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A piece of dough made from wheat flour and rolled to a thin circle, then stuffed with a filling of meet and/or vegetables,
pinched, closed and boiled or fried.
How to define a word or term
to use a sentence
Formula:
things to be defined +verb +general class word +“wh-”
word +particular characteristics.
Often an attributive clause.
e.g. “Ink is coloured water which we use for writing.”
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How to define a word or term to write a paragraph or even an essay
We often begin an extended definition essay by providing a definition from the dictionary and proceeding to show that lexical definition is inadequate to expose the essence or the essential meaning of the word we wish to clarify.
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Or to write a paragraph or even an essay 2010/12/25we may place the term in a group of related terms and then proceed to show how it differs from the other members of the group.
How to develop a definition paragraph
To expose the essence of a term
It tries to answer the question: what is the meaning of this
word in its purest or most complete form?
To do this well, make use of the writing techniques you
have already practiced such as: illustration and example,
comparison and contrast, classification….
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How to develop a definition paragraph
Some basic rules:
Do your own thinking!
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Know your audience.
Express your own opinion!
Do not neglect your conclusions.
Writing good definition depends upon ：How to develop a definition paragraph 2010/12/25a thorough knowledge of one’s subject,
a rudimentary acquaintance with logic, common sense,
and good manners. An example paragraph
Pay attention to some errors
In writing definitions,several errors should be
avoided:
2010/12/25circular definition
too broad definition
too narrow definition
Pay attention to some errors
2010/12/25Remember:the commonly-used words in writing definition are:is,mean,signify,refer to,constitute,involve,is considered to be,is defined as,can be defined as,state that …
etc.
circular definition
2010/12/25e.g.“Economics” is the study of (the) economy.
Improved:“Economics” is a science of the production and distribution of goods.
too broad definition
e.g.2010/12/25
An “automobile” is a means of transportation. (The class is too large to be meaningful.)
Improved:An automobile is a car used as a means of transportation.
too narrow definition
e.g.A poem is two or more rhymed lines written to 2010/12/25express an idea,mood,or emotion.
(The class is too limited because it does not include blank verse and other non-rhyming poetry.)
Improved:A poem is a piece of writing in verse form expressing deep feeling or noble thought in beautiful language.
In-class writing practice (assignment)
Try developing a definition of one of these words or phrases into a full length paragraph (ONLY CHOOSE ONE CONCEPT): privacy, love, friendship, justice, injustice, civil rights, freedom, fame, … zou hou men (走后门), guan xi wang (关系网), yue guang zu (月光族), … Not less than 150 words.
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