TECHNIQUES OF EXTENDED
DEFINITION
TECHNIQUES OF EXTENDED DEFINITION
The following slides provide examples of each of the 11 techniques of
Extended Definition.
The presentation begins with instructions on how to provide a basic,
dictionary-style definition (referred to as a Formal Sentence definition in
the McMurrey reading linked here).
BASIC/FORMAL DEFINITION: A STARTING PLACE
Definiendum = genus + differentia
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The definiendum is the term or concept you are defining.
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The genus is the category or class which the definiendum is a part of.
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The differentia is the characteristic or group of characteristics that set the
definiendum apart from other members of the genus.
For example:
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A choke cherry (definiendum) is a kind of cherry (genus) distinguished by its
bitter, astringent taste that makes it inedible until it is cooked (differentia).
BASIC/FORMAL DEFINITION
Using the example term “arbitration”
Brief phrase
third-party mediation
Definiendum = genus + differentia
Formal sentence
Arbitration (definiendum) is a legal process (genus) in which the opposite
sides in a dispute agree to abide by the settlement decision of a third party
(differentia).
TECHNIQUES/TACTICS OF DEFINITION
The keys to unlocking meaning
Using the example term
“arbitration”
1. Etymology- explaining the
origin of the word
Arbitration, from the Latin
for “judgment”
TACTICS OF DEFINITION (CONT’D)
2. History/ Background-
discussing the history of the term/ its
use/ controversies associated with it
Discuss how the use of arbitration as third-party
mediation dates from the 1630s and how the
practice came about
3. Cause and Effect - discussing how
the situation came about and what
effects it may have
In the case of “arbitration,” cause and
effect may be the same as the history
TACTICS OF DEFINITION (CONT’D)
4. Description – listing and defining the component
parts
Arbitration is conducted by a trained arbiter who sets down the
rules that the parties must abide by...
5. Principles of Operation/ definition by functionstating what the term is for
From AbronADR Services:
"Send the other party notice of your intent to pursue arbitration.
The Claimant (person initiating the case) sends the Respondent a
Demand Letter. This letter states the desire to submit the dispute
to arbitration either by means of the contracts arbitration clause or
by mutual consent...
TACTICS OF DEFINITION (CONT’D)
6. Classification - showing how the
term fits into a larger category
Arbitration is one of the alternatives to going into a
formal court to settle disputes.
TACTICS OF DEFINITION (CONT’D)
7. Contrast- defining by the use of opposites
Negation- defining the term by stating what is not
In an arbitration proceeding, no lawyers are present.
TACTICS OF DEFINITION (CONT’D)
8. Comparison – showing how it is similar
to others in the class
As with lawsuits or other court proceedings, the
decision in an arbitration proceeding is legally
binding on the parties.
TACTICS OF DEFINITION (CONT’D)
9. Analogy – explaining by
comparing two dissimilar topics,
where the second is familiar to the
audience
An arbiter is like a referee–he or she listens to both sides and
makes a decision as to who is at fault, without the intervention
of outside parties.
TACTICS OF DEFINITION (CONT’D)
10. Example- defining by giving
examples
Arbitration was recently used to settle the
dispute between the labor union and
management.
TACTICS OF DEFINITION (CONT’D)
11. Illustrations
12. synonyms- using a
similar word or phrase to
define a word
Freedom, also referred to as
liberty or independence, is a
state people reach when they
are free to think and do
whatever they please.
Extended definition example:
To our colonial forefathers, freedom meant having a voice in their
government. (historical reference) The Revolutionary War was a last
resort against an empire that continued to tax its colonists without
the representation of the colonists in Parliament. Since the United
States won the right to rule itself, our country has been referred to
as "the land of the free and the home of the brave." (example) True
freedom means the ability to think, feel, say, or act however one
chooses. (listing parts) It is a state where the bars of bondage do
not exist. (negation) Unfortunately, the widening gap between the
haves and have nots means that some are now shackled by their
lack of education. (evoke the senses: shackled) Americans can
attain real freedom when everyone has the same educational
opportunities.
1. Do these types of definitions
help you? How?
2. What skill can be developed in
you in knowing these types of
definitions?
3. As Christian student, how
could you apply it in promoting
Christian values?
1. Bullying is a verb that describes the act
of forcing someone to do something he
or she does not want to do. Typically,
the bully uses physical power or
influence to intimidate the person being
bullied.
2. Once upon a time, bullying in schools only referred to
the students who forced the smaller students to give up
their lunch money or the ones who beat them up after
school. In recent years, many schools have cracked
down on bullying and have strict zero-tolerance
policies. In fact, a student was recently disciplined for
biting a Pop-Tart into the shape of gun. However, now
harassment is often happening online. Real bullies hide
behind social media technology, like Facebook, posting
embarrassing pictures and videos of their classmates
and setting up fake relationships to lead on and shame
others, an act known as catfishing.
3. Bullying occurs when someone uses
his or her power or prestige to
intimidate and terrorize another person.
At times, the bully pushes someone
around to get something specific from
that person, but at other times, the bully
simply is mean just to watch the other
person squirm. Tormenting anyone for
any reason is inappropriate and should
not be tolerated.