Definitions in Formal Writing
A formal definition is based upon a concise, logical pattern that permits of a maximum of information in a minimum of space. It consists of three parts.
| 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 |
You have readily available to you a number of such definitions, a single sentence in length, which you have been memorizing since grade school days. "Water (term) is a liquid (class) made up of molecules of hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio of 2 to 1 (distinguishing characteristics). Practice in the writing of such brief formal definitions is good mental discipline as well as excellent training in conciseness and care in the use of words.
To write a formal definition:
| Avoid defining with "is when" and "is where." These adverb phrase introducers do not work well when defining a word. A noun should be defined with a noun, a verb with a verb, an adjective with an adjective. |
| Do not define a word by mere repetition. |
| Define a word in simpler and familiar terms. |
| Keep your class small but adequate. It should be large enough to include all members of the term you are defining but no larger. |
| State the differentiating characteristics precisely. |