THEORY-BOOKTHEORY-BOOK

UNIT 8: DEFINITIONS, EXEMPLIFICATION

& CLASSIFICATION • Objectives:

• To identify a text organization of definition and exemplification

• To understand the use of the adjective clauses

• To identify a text organization of classification

1. Definitions and Exemplifications

• The purpose of a paragraph of definition is to define, explain, or clarify the meaning of something. Because of the nature of definition, it may involve analysis, comparison and contrast.

• A paragraph of definition provides the meaning or an example of a term or concept. Paragraphs of definition often begin with a single-sentence dictionary definition as a topic sentence and then go on to provide further explanation or examples.

signal words for definitions

• This is referred to as• X is/are known as• X is/are• X can be defined as• X refers to• X means• This means that• In other words• X is/are called

Sample paragraph

Man and most animals can only exist near the surface of the earth in the region known as the biosphere. The biosphere is the thin layer of soil, water and air in which all life exists.

b. Exemplification

It is often useful in definitions to give examples; this action is known as exemplification (or exemplifying).

Signal words:

For example As an example Some examples are An illustration of For instance An instance of this was such as Another example This is analogous to examples of which

Sample Paragraph

In capitals such as Brasilia, monumental modern structures determine the appearance of the city. Such buildings, however, are not the only structures created by architects. They also create buildings that are used by all of us in our everyday lives. Houses, stores, shopping malls, schools, and factories, for example, are usually built according to an architect’s instructions.

Grammar points: Adjective Clauses

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.

An independent clause is a complete sentence. It contains the main subject and verb of a sentence.

A dependent clause is not a complete sentence. It must be connected to an independent clause.

An adjective clause is a dependent clause, which modifies a noun. It describes, identifies, or gives further information about a noun. (It is also called a relative clause)

The pattern of Adjective Clauses

1. Using Subject Pronouns: WHO, WHICH, THAT

2. Using Object Pronouns: WHOM, WHICH, THAT

3. Using WHOSE (possession) 4. Using WHERE

5. Using WHEN

6. Using EXPRESSIONS of QUANTITY

Sample paragraph

Parasitology may be defined as the branch of biology, which deals with the nature of parasitism and its effects on both the parasite and the host. Broadly defined, a parasite is an organism, which lives for all or part of its life on or in another organism from which it derives some benefits, such as food, shelter or protection.

3. Classifications3. Classifications

• ClassificationClassification means the grouping of means the grouping of items to show relationship between items to show relationship between them. Items that are classified together them. Items that are classified together have something in common; that is have something in common; that is something must apply to all the items something must apply to all the items in that group or category. Therefore, in that group or category. Therefore, paragraphs that divide people, places, paragraphs that divide people, places, or things into categories are called or things into categories are called paragraph of classificationparagraph of classification..

signal wordssignal words used in used in classification:classification:

• X consists of ……..X consists of …….. • to classify to classify • to sub-classifyto sub-classify• to categorize to categorize • to sub-categorizeto sub-categorize• fall intofall into• X may be classified according to ………X may be classified according to ………

may be divided into ……….may be divided into ……….

may be sub-divided into ……..may be sub-divided into ……..

ExamplesExamples

• Weathering process Weathering process can be divided can be divided intointo two two classesclasses: physical weathering : physical weathering and chemical weathering.and chemical weathering.

• Weathering process Weathering process may be classified may be classified asas physical and chemical. physical and chemical.

• There are two There are two kindskinds of weathering of weathering process: physical and chemical.process: physical and chemical.

• ExamplesExamples of physical weathering of physical weathering agents agents includeinclude ice, heat wind and ice, heat wind and water.water.

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