Understanding Definitions in Technical Writing

The video tutorial covers the concept of extended definitions in technical English, emphasizing their importance in writing and speaking. It introduces three types of definitions: informal, formal, and extended. Informal definitions provide additional information within a sentence, while formal definitions consist of a term, class, and characteristics. An example of defining a computer illustrates the formal definition process, highlighting the need for precision and clarity in technical writing.

What is the primary focus of an extended definition in technical English?

• To summarize a paragraph

• To provide a brief overview of a topic

• To give a detailed explanation of a term

• To list synonyms of a word

Why is precision important in technical definitions?

• To add more words to the document

• To confuse the reader

• To ensure clarity and understanding

• To make the text longer

Which of the following is NOT a type of definition discussed?

• Extended definition

• Formal definition

• Informal definition

• Abstract definition

What is the role of an informal definition?

• To provide essential information

• To add extra, non-essential information

• To replace the main sentence

• To confuse the reader

What is another name for a formal definition?

• Complex definition

• Single sentence definition

• Extended definition

• Informal definition

Which component is NOT part of a formal definition?

• Term

• Example

• Class

• Characteristics

How can terms be classified in a formal definition?

• By their color

• By their length

• By their popularity

• By their category or class

In the example of defining a computer, what class is it categorized under?

• Mechanical device

• Chemical device

• Biological device

• Electronic device

What is the first step in constructing a definition sentence?

• Start with the term to be defined

• Start with a pronoun

• Start with an example

• Start with a question

Why are unique characteristics important in definitions?

• To add more words

• To make the definition longer

• To help identify the term among its class

• To confuse the reader