how to write a simple definition in english. revised
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Why is the man angry?
Who are the royalties?
What´s the problem?
When we work in a specialised area, like banking or trade, we will often use words that are unique or particular to our field.
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In International trade, we will often find words like these…
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shipperroyaltiesquota
tariffs
REEFER
AIRWAY BILL
customs
taxes
drawer
dumping
transfer
open account
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We may sometimes have to explain them to people who are not acquainted with our area of study.
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How do we help them to understand the idea or concept we are talking
about?
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Definitions!
Definitions!Definitions!
What is a definition?
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A definition is a thorough description of the meaning of a lexical unit.
http://www.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsADefinition.htm
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It is a statement that explains the meaning of a term
(a word, phrase, or other set of symbols).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition
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What does a definition do?
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A definition answers the question
What is………………………..?
What does……………. mean?
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So, how do we write a definition?
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The term or concept you are defining.
The class or group to which it belongs.
Characteristics that make it different from others.
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When we write a definition, we describe the most important characteristics of the word or concept.
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Let´s look at this example.
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A lion is a cat.H
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But not all cats are lions.H
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Let’s look at these definitions of a lion.
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A large tawny-coloured cat that lives in prides, found in Africa and NW India. The male has a flowing shaggy mane and takes little part in hunting, which is done cooperatively by the females.
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/lion
A large gregarious predatory feline mammal, Panthera leo, of open country in parts of Africa and India, having a tawny yellow coat and, in the male, a shaggy mane.
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/lion
Can you find the different parts of the definition?
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Lion
Feline mammal
Tawny yellow coat, shaggy mane (male)Found in Africa and India
Female hunts
Let´s look at some examples related to International trade.
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Free trade is a policy by which a government does not discriminate against imports or interfere with exports by applying tariffs (to imports) or subsidies (to exports) or quotas. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_tradeHo
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A royalty is a payment to an owner for the use of property, especially patents, copyrighted works, franchises or natural
resources.
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/royalty.aspHo
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A duty is tax levied on certain goods (commondities), services or financial transactions.
Adapted from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/duty.asp
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Now it’s your turn.
Make sure you understand the term.
• Write down what you think the term means.
• Check your understanding of the term with other sources.
Decide on the characteristics.
Ask yourself these questions:
• What are the characteristics of the term/concept/word?• How is it different from others?• How can I describe it?
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Be precise and clear.
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• Use familiar and simple language.
• Define a verb with a verb and a noun with a noun.
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A tax is a compulsory contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers' income and business profits or added to the cost of some goods, services, and transactions.
Both are nouns.
To tax is to impose a duty or charge on (someone or some
thing).
Both are verbs.
What words introduce a definition?
Here are some words you can use:
• is defined as• is concerned with• relates to• involves• deals with
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Now, put your definition together.
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Term Verb Class Characteristics
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Enjoy writing your definitions.
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