1 / 9

Guidelines for Clear and Precise Technical Definitions

This chapter discusses the purpose of technical definitions and provides guidelines for creating clear and precise definitions. It covers different levels of detail in definitions, methods for expanding definitions, and situations requiring definitions. The chapter also addresses the placement of definitions and considerations for legal and ethical implications.

sarcher
Download Presentation

Guidelines for Clear and Precise Technical Definitions

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Chapter 19 Technical Definitions Technical Communication, 12th Edition John M. Lannon Laura Gurak

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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?

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

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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. • Cite your sources as needed.

  9. Any Questions? For additional help reviewing this chapter, please visit the Companion Website for your text at http://www.pearsonhighered.com/lannon.

More Related