What is a definition?
A definition is
typically a brief
explanation of an
item or concept
using words and
(sometimes)
graphics.
Definition of Beautiful by mikecogh, on Flickr
From Markel, Mike. Practical Strategies for Technical Communications. Boston: Bedford, St. Martin’s, 2013.
Sentence Definitions
• The term (word or phrase) to be defined.
• The class of object or concept to which the term
belongs.
• The differentiating characteristics that distinguish it
from all others of its class.
From “Writing Definitions” on the Purdue OWL website.
Sentence Definition Example
• Gibbs’ Rules
The term (word or phrase) to be defined.
• Principles or Guidelines
The class of object or concept to which the term belongs.
• That guide the choices and actions of NCIS character
Leroy Jethro Gibbs
The differentiating characteristics that distinguish it from
all others of its class.
Example Sentence Definition
• Gibbs’ Rules are an unwritten set of principles that
guide the choices and actions of NCIS character
Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Paragraph Definitions
• Often start with a sentence definition.
• Include additional information to clarify and extend
the details on the word or phrase.
• Use several sentences to make a paragraph that
defines the term.
• Can include examples, graphics that illustrate the
definition, and links to related information.
Example Clarifying Details
• These rules are shared informally in conversation
when their topic is relevant to the events and
situations the characters encounter.
From “Writing Definitions” on the Purdue OWL website.
Examples and Related Information
• The rules include general tips (#9: “Never go
anywhere without a knife”), guidelines for interacting
with coworkers (#12: “Never date a coworker”), and
procedures related to the work Gibbs and his team do
(#2: “Always wear gloves at a crime scene”).
• Although the complete list of rules is not written or
tracked on the television show, fans have collected
the list and posted it online on sites like the NCIS Fan
Wiki.
Complete Paragraph Definition
Gibbs’ Rules are an unwritten set of principles that guide the
choices and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs. These
rules are shared informally in conversation when their topic is
relevant to the events and situations the characters encounter.
The rules include general tips (#9: “Never go anywhere without a
knife”), guidelines for interacting with coworkers (#12: “Never
date a coworker”), and procedures related to the work Gibbs and
his team do (#2: “Always wear gloves at a crime scene”). Although
the complete list of rules is not written or tracked on the
television show, fans have collected the list and posted it online
on sites like the NCIS Fan Wiki.
Glossary Format
• Start with the term and use your formatting to make it
stand out.
• Follow with the complete definition you have written.
• Be sure your definition begins with a capital letters and
ends with a period.
• The first line of your glossary entry is a broken sentence.
The following lines should be complete sentences.
Broken First Sentence
Original:
• Gibbs’ Rules are an unwritten set of principles that guide the choices
and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
To break it:
1. Separate the term and the rest of the sentence.
2. Drop the verb (usually a form of the verb “To Be”).
3. Capitalize the first word left in the rest of the sentence.
Broken:
• Gibbs’ Rules: An unwritten set of principles that guide the choices
and actions of NCIS character Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
Example Glossary Format
Gibbs’ Rules
An unwritten set of principles that guide the choices and actions of NCIS
character Leroy Jethro Gibbs. These rules are shared informally in conversation
when their topic is relevant to the events and situations the characters encounter.
The rules include general tips (#9: “Never go anywhere without a knife”),
guidelines for interacting with coworkers (#12: “Never date a coworker”), and
procedures related to the work Gibbs and his team do (#2: “Always wear gloves at
a crime scene”). Although the complete list of rules is not written or tracked on
the television show, fans have collected the list and posted it online on sites like
the NCIS Fan Wiki.
From the Weather Channel website.
Additional Resources
• “Writing Definitions” from the Purdue OWL.
• “How to Write a Dictionary Definition” from WikiHow.