Extended definitions
What is an extended definition?
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An extended definition is a piece of writing that
consists of one or more paragraphs whose
purpose is to define a particular term.
The structure of an extended definition
A one-paragraph extended definition
may begin with a sentence definition
which acts as a topic sentence, followed
by a supporting part that explains,
describes, or develops the main idea
given in the topic sentence.
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The topic sentence
• The topic sentence is the main-idea sentence.
It is the most general and most important
sentence of the paragraph. It tells the readers
the following:
- the topic: what the paragraph is about
- the controlling idea: the writer’s attitude or
idea about the topic
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Example: Identify the topic sentence in the
following paragraph.
Parents can help their children be successful
in school by encouraging them. Children
usually enjoy playing games instead of
studying their boring lessons, so parents have
to take the responsibility to monitor their
studying and to remind them to their work at
home after school. Parents should also
encourage their children to study by buying
story books with pictures, or they can buy text
books that help children learn to spell.
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The supporting part
The supporting part extends the sentence definition into an extended
definition by adding more sentences to the topic sentence (or sentence
definition). These sentences could be:
- Examples
- Illustration (extended example)
- Comparison
- Contrast
- Etymology (origin of the term)
- Exclusion
- Synonyms
- Classification
- Partition (divisions into parts, topics, features, etc.)
- Chronology (historical development)
- Description (mechanism, process, place, characteristics, etc.)
- Causal analysis
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(Sentence definition)
We can define an SUV as a vehicle which is
usually driven on rough terrain. (Illustration)SUV is an acronym
which stands for sports utility vehicle. (Description)The engines of
the SUV vehicles supply power to all four wheels, so they are
better for cruising sand dunes. (Classification) SUV vehicles vary in
size; some of them can seat 5 passengers, while others can seat
7 passengers. (causal analysis) SUV vehicles are quite common in
Saudi Arabia due to the low cost of petrol and their fantastic
performance in the desert.
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(Sentence definition)The
periodic table can be defined as an organized array
of all the chemical elements in order of the atomic weight. (Illustration)The
elements show a periodic recurrence of certain properties. (Chronology)It
was first discovered in 1869 by Dmitry I. Mendeleyev. (Description)Those in
the same column or group of the table as usually arranged have similar
properties. (Chronology)In the 20th century, when the structure of atoms
was understood, the table was seen to precisely reflect increasing
order of atomic number. (Description) Members of the same group in the
table have the same number of electrons in the outermost shells of
their atoms and form bonds of the same type.
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•
(Sentence definition) Glass
is a hard transparent material which
is used to make windows, bottles and other objects.
(Etymology) glass is an English word and was first used
before the twelfth century. (Chronology)Glass has been used
as a decorative object indoors since ancient times. Today,
glass is widely used in the construction and
telecommunication sectors. (Description) It is made by
cooling molten ingredients such as silica sand with
sufficient rapidity to prevent the formation of visible
crystals.
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- You can download the slides of this class from
this link.
http://www.onlineacademicwriting.com/docum
ents/english_101.html
References:
-Ruetten, M. K. 1997, Developing Composition
Skills, Heinle & Heinle Publishers, USA.
-Dale, T. 2004, An introduction to academic
discourse, KFUPM Printing Press, KSA.
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