Technical Definitions Chapter 20 Technical Definitions Technical Communication, 11th Edition John M. Lannon

Purpose of Technical Definitions Answers the questions of what exactly are we talking about and what exactly is it Addresses legal implications Addresses ethical implications Contains societal implications Give a general but informative definition

Levels of Detail in a Definition Parenthetical definition Clarifies the meaning of a word by using a more familiar synonym Sentence definition Fixed Pattern: name of item; class to which the item belongs; the features that differentiate the item from all others in its class Expanded definition Extends to a short paragraph or even several pages depending on the complexity of the item

Directions in Which Definition Can Be Expanded Can you explain what it doesn’t mean? What is its origin and background? How does it work? How is it used? Term or item to be defined What are its parts? What does it look like? Does it require any special conditions? Can it be compared with anything familiar?

Expansion Methods Etymology History and background Negation Operating principle Analysis of parts Visuals Comparison and contrast Required materials or conditions Example

Situations Requiring Definitions Each time an audience encounters an unfamiliar term or concept Placement of Definitions Definitions should not interrupt the flow More than 3-4 definitions on one page or screen will be disruptive Rewrite them as sentence definitions and move them to a definitions section or glossary

Guidelines for Clear and Precise Definition Decide on the level of detail. Classify the item precisely. Differentiate the item accurately. Avoid circular definitions. Expand your definition selectively.

Guidelines for Clear and Precise Definition Use visuals to clarify your meaning. Know “how much is enough.” Consider the legal implications. Consider the ethical implications. Place your definition in an appropriate location.

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