1. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
TECH COM I

2. WHAT IS A DEFINITION A STATEMENT
CLEAR, EXACT, CONCISE DESCRIPTION OR EXPLANATION ABOUT THE NATURE OF AN OBJECT.
E.G: A TELEVISION IS AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE
BOOKS REFERS TO PRINTED MATERIALS
CONTAINS INFORMATION

3. Which one is Clearer? A tumor is a neoplasm
A tumor is a growth of cells that occurs independently of surrounding tissue, and serves no useful function.

4. A thermometer measures temperature
Basic properties – definition should convey the properties that differentiate it from all others.  
A thermometer measures temperature
A book can be used to write in, to display pictures, and to record financial transactions.

5. TRY TO GIVE A DEFINITION FOR THESE
Word / term
Verb
Class
Differentiating characteristics
Hay is
grass mown and dried for cattle food.
A headache
a continuous pain
in the head.
A volcano
????
A computer

6. ELEMENTS OF DEFINITIONS
PLAIN ENGLISH
(CLEAR BUT SIMPLE USE OF WORDINGS)
BASIC PROPERTIES-
(BASIC FUNCTION)
OBJECTIVITY-
(PUT FACTS NOT OPINION)

7. Definition exercise Give a formal definition of these : Diabetes
Kitchen
Blanket
Haze
Bicycle
House
elephant

8. The Extended Definition
Some definitions and explanations give further distinguishing characteristics by means of a defining relative clause.
Expanded definition that involves more than one sentence.
It could be written in a paragraph or more, or even a whole essay to clarify the definition.
This depends on the topic for each discipline and the need for details to achieve the purpose of writing it.

9. Classification Example: Term – Elephant Classification – Mammal
Defines a word into different categories and explains each categories in detail.
Example:
Term – Elephant
Classification – Mammal
Basis for Division – i) Asiatic (ii) African
Detailed characteristics of each division –
i) physical characteristics,
(ii) location (iii) uses

10. Use of analogies
The way the animal heart pumps blood throughout the body is like the way water pump works to pump water into the water pipes.

11. What else can be included?
Be descriptive- elaborate details for class, size, shape, colour, properties, uses and other info related that can help you explain more.

12. WHAT ELSE IS NEEDED TO DESCRIBE
color height wide space shape weight materials texture location methods of attachment depth amount of pattern, design ingredients age subparts length temperature moisture content smell

13. LET”s DISCUSS THIS OBJECT…

14. Exam in practice

15. TUTORIAL TASK Look at the object that you have chosen from 5 angles.
Find the names of specific areas of the object. You can try to search info from internet
Write a formal definition of each area/part and later write the extended definition of each area.
Elaborate the physical description and functional description of each part.
Organise your points and check the language

16. WRITING PROCESS
Computer mouse